Ransomware Cyberattack Case Study: JBS World’s Biggest Meat Supplier

JBS Cyberattack

About JBS

JBS

(Source: Wikipedia)

One of the world’s largest meat-selling suppliers namely JBS has more than 150 plants in about 15 distinct countries. It was founded by Rancher José Batista Sobrinho in Brazil as a slaughtering business in 1953.

This company is employing a good chunk of the population all across the globe. They employ approximately 150,000 people worldwide. They largely supply meat to the various fast food outlets like McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC, and many others along with different supermarkets. They process one-fifth of its pork and one-quarter of the US beef.




Cyberattack on the JBS – World’s largest meat supplier

JBS Cyberattack

Being the world’s largest meat supplier, JBS has centrally connected software. Owing to the centrally connected system, the JBS computer network was hacked which resulted in shutting down several operations in different regions including the US, Canada, and Australia. This breakdown affected thousands of workers.

The company believes that a criminal group probably based in Russia is behind this massive ransomware cyberattack. They also believe that this was a full-fledged organized cybersecurity attack that largely disrupted the working of Australian and North American IT systems. This situation ruined the lives of normal people who were employed in it.

In this ransomware, the attackers got into the centralized computer network and were alarmed to delete confidential files or to cause destruction unless a ransom amount is paid.




This became a nationwide matter and got reported to the White House. As it became the need of an hour to resolve this issue, White House directly got engaged with the Russian Government for the matter. Also, the White House directed the case to the FBI for a proper inquiry.

Consequences of this ransomware cyberattack faced by JBS

What How

This cyberattack resulted in a shortage of processed meat supply in almost all the regions where JBS owns a plant. As a result, the outcome is a sudden increase in the prices of the processed meat. It resulted in the company’s revenue reduction by 20%. It affected the employment of workers as well. Australian workers turned their back from the company after the cyberattack.

Despite revenue reduction, the company tried not to reduce its export as not all the units of JBS were shut down. Moreover, reduction in exports would ruin the brand image of the company.

Measures taken by the company

Action by company

As soon as the company detected the attack, they suspended all its IT systems. The company stated after days of the attack that significant progress was going on to resolve the cyberattack situation.

Most of their plant will become operational soon. The company also claimed that its backup was not affected by the attack due to early detection. The United Food and Commercial Workers’ Union ensured workers that they will still receive their pay. Since there is a huge requirement for an IT system for multiple stages like shipping, billing, etc., they will ensure the use of a more secured network and install a high cybersecurity system.




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