Cyberattack Disrupts Operations at South Africa’s Largest Chicken Producer
Astral Foods, South Africa’s largest chicken producer, incurred over $1 million in losses due to a cyberattack on March 16, causing processing and delivery delays. The company implemented disaster recovery protocols and reported no compromised confidential information. However, they warned investors of significant drops in earnings per share due to the incident, reflecting a growing trend of cyberattacks within the agricultural sector.
South Africa’s largest chicken producer, Astral Foods, recently experienced a cyberattack on March 16, resulting in significant disruption and over $1 million in losses due to delays in delivery and processing. The company activated all disaster recovery protocols and stated to investors that the cyberattack led to downtime affecting various operations and backlogs, resulting in an estimated 20 million rand ($1 million) loss in profits.
Fortunately, Astral Foods confirmed that all business units were operational following the successful recovery of their systems, emphasizing that no confidential or sensitive information regarding customers or stakeholders was compromised. However, the company has cautioned investors about expected decreases in earnings per share for the current financial period due to the impact of the cyberattack.
Astral Foods did not elaborate on the specific nature of the attack or identify the perpetrators. Notably, there have been no claims from ransomware groups regarding this incident. The agricultural sector has become a common target for cybercriminals due to the likelihood that organizations will pay ransoms to prevent food distribution disruptions. According to the Food and Agriculture-Information Sharing and Analysis Center, there were 167 ransomware incidents reported in the sector last year alone.
Other large food companies, such as JBS and Dole, have also faced similar attacks in recent years, highlighting the vulnerability of the food production industry. In 2021, one farm reported losses of $9 million due to a ransomware assault, showcasing the heightened risks faced by agricultural institutions.
Jonathan Greig, a Breaking News Reporter at Recorded Future News, has been covering significant events and has a background in cybersecurity reporting. His insights reflect the increasing prevalence and impact of cyberattacks within the agricultural sector.
The recent cyberattack on Astral Foods exemplifies the growing threat faced by large agricultural producers, highlighting vulnerabilities that can lead to substantial financial losses and disruptions. While no sensitive information was compromised, the incident serves as a reminder for organizations in the food sector to enhance their cybersecurity measures. The frequency of such attacks in the agriculture industry underscores the urgent need for robust disaster recovery and preparedness protocols to mitigate future risks.
Original Source: therecord.media
