Asahi Group Hit by Major Cyberattack, Disrupting Production and Supply
Japan's leading beverage and food manufacturer, Asahi Group Holdings, has been grappling with a significant cyberattack since Monday. The incident has led to widespread disruption in production and supply, leaving convenience stores short-staffed and shelves empty. Asahi's shares have taken a hit, dropping over 1% on Friday to levels not seen since February.
The cyberattack, believed to be financially motivated, was carried out by a group known for 'Cycler' attacks. Their aim was to steal sensitive corporate information and demand ransom payments. The incident has impacted most of Asahi's 30 factories across Japan, with production and shipments grinding to a halt. Customer service has also been disrupted. While no customer data breaches have been reported, Asahi has confirmed the use of ransomware and is currently investigating the root causes.
In response to the attack, Asahi has been forced to cancel events and delay product launches. Emergency shipments were made on Wednesday, but many stores still faced stock shortages and sold-out products. The company has not provided an estimated timeline for recovery, leaving consumers and retailers in limbo.
Asahi Group Holdings, Japan's largest brewery, is working to contain and mitigate the damage caused by the cyberattack. While no customer data has been compromised, the incident has led to significant disruptions in production, supply, and customer service. The company's shares have taken a hit, and the full extent of the financial impact remains to be seen. Asahi is investigating the incident and working to restore normal operations as soon as possible.
