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A ransomware attack might cause a shortage of Japan’s Asahi beer.
On Monday, Asahi Group Holdings disclosed a cyberattack that caused a “system failure,” forcing it to halt order and shipment operations in Japan. However, the incident is serious enough that Japan could run out of the popular Asahi Super Dry beer in just a few days, as most of the company’s 30 domestic factories have also shut down, the Financial Times reports.
"We are unable to provide a clear timeline for recovery at this time," Asahi Group said on a Friday. The company has traced the attack to ransomware, in which hackers encrypt entire fleets of computers and demand payment (usually in cryptocurrency) to unlock them.
In this case, the ransomware spread to the Asahi Group's servers, prompting the company to shut down its IT operations to contain the threat. Still, the company warned: “Subsequent investigations have confirmed traces suggesting a potential unauthorized transfer of data. We are conducting an investigation to determine the nature and scope of the information that may have been subject to unauthorized transfer.”
Asahi has so far declined to name the suspected ransomware group. “To prevent further damage, we are withholding specific details regarding the cyberattack,” it said, so it's unclear if the company intends to pay the ransom.
The good news is that the attack on Asahi has only affected its brewing facilities in Japan. The company is also trying to resume beer shipments in the country through a “partial manual order processing.” This involves “in-person and handwriting orders,” according to Reuters. However, Asahi has been prioritizing orders for food and soft drinks, rather than its alcoholic drinks.
The incident highlights how cyberattacks can cripple businesses, resulting in production shortages. In the UK, Jaguar Land Rover has been forced to halt car production for about a month following a major cyberattack that also shut down its IT systems.