Via BBC News:
he world’s largest meat processing company has been targeted by a sophisticated cyber-attack.
Computer networks at JBS were hacked, causing some operations in Australia, Canada and the US to temporarily shut down, affecting thousands of workers.
The company believes the ransomware attack originated from a criminal group likely based in Russia, the White House said.
The attack could lead to shortages of meat or raise prices for consumers.
In a ransomware attack, hackers get into a computer network and threaten to cause disruption or delete files unless a ransom is paid.
The White House says the FBI is investigating the attack.
“JBS notified [the White House] that the ransom demand came from a criminal organisation likely based in Russia,” White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said on Tuesday.
“The White House is engaging directly with the Russian government on this matter and delivering the message that responsible states do not harbour ransomware criminals,” she added.
JBS said it suspended all affected IT systems as soon as the attack was detected, and that its backup servers were not hacked. However many affected plants are still unable to operate.
“Resolution of the incident will take time, which may delay certain transactions with customers and suppliers,” JBS said in a statement.
IT systems are essential in modern meat processing plants, with computers used at multiple stages including billing and shipping.
According to the trade group Beef Central, “supermarkets and other large end-users like the McDonald’s burger patty supply network will be some of the most immediately impacted customers, due to their need for consistent supply”.
JBS’s five biggest beef plants are in the US, and the shutdowns have halted a fifth of meat production there, according to Bloomberg.
Plants in Australia and Canada have also been affected but the company’s South American operations have not been disrupted.
Last month, fuel delivery in the south east of the US was crippled for several days after…
One-fifth of U.S. beef capacity wiped out by JBS cyberattack
Via The Independent:
The Russia-linked cyberattack on the world’s largest meat producer may have affected one-fifth of the United States’ meat supply, according to a report.
The attack on the country’s food security comes less than four weeks after a hack of the Colonial Pipeline raised concerns over energy security. But the hack on the Brazil-based meat company’s computer networks could have a far greater impact based on an analysis by Bloomberg.
The five plants in the US process a combined 22,500 cattle per day and the weekend attack effectively wiped out almost a fifth of the country’s production, with operations also reported down in Australia and Canada, the outlet said.
The White House said on Tuesday that JBS received a ransom demand from a criminal group “likely based in Russia”.
Colonial Pipeline paid Russian hackers DarkSide a $5m ransom they hoped would restore their network.
While deputy national security adviser for cyber and emerging technologies Ann Neuberger said whether paying a ransom was typically “a private-sector decision”, paying off the Colonial Pipeline hackers led to fears more ransom attacks would follow on the country’s critical infrastructure.
White House deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that the Biden administration has offered assistance to JBS and is engaging with the Russian government.
She said the US Department of Agriculture was working with meat processors in the country to ensure they’re aware of the situation.
“We’re assessing any impacts on supply and the president has directed to the administration to determine what we can do to mitigate any impacts as they may become necessary,” Ms Jean-Pierre said.
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