Asahi Group Holdings, Japan’s largest brewery, has recently suspended operations at a majority of its 30 factories due to a ransomware attack. The incident disrupted its ordering and delivery systems, impacting not only beer production but also accounting processes. The attack was attributed to the Russia-based ransomware group, Qilin, which has a history of targeting various organizations, including healthcare systems such as the NHS.
Following the attack, Asahi announced that it is investigating the potential theft of personal data. The company confirmed that while operations have partially resumed, many computer systems are still down, causing order processing to revert to manual methods such as pen, paper, and fax machines. Asahi stated that their Emergency Response Headquarters is collaborating with cybersecurity experts to restore systems as swiftly as possible and will inform any individuals affected by the breach.
The company acknowledged the possibility that personal information may have been transferred unlawfully, but did not elaborate on the specific types of data involved, citing the ongoing investigation. Asahi reported that only its Japanese operations, which contribute to around half of its sales, were affected by the cyber incident.
In light of the disruption, Asahi has delayed the release of its third-quarter financial results and stated that the timing of the disclosure will depend on the progress of the system restoration.
This cyber-attack aligns with a broader trend, as evidenced by a recent report from the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre, which highlighted a significant increase in “nationally significant” cyber-attacks over the past year, averaging four incidents per week. Concerns have been raised regarding the necessity for businesses to enhance their cybersecurity measures to prevent such threats.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0rpwk51qxro?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss