Don’t miss out on our latest stories. Add PCMag as a preferred source on Google.
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.
Recommended by Our Editors
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.
Get Our Best Stories!
Stay Safe With the Latest Security News and Updates
By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!
Your subscription has been confirmed. Keep an eye on your inbox!
About Our Expert
Michael Kan
Senior Reporter
Experience
I’ve been a journalist for over 15 years. I got my start as a schools and cities reporter in Kansas City and joined PCMag in 2017, where I cover satellite internet services, cybersecurity, PC hardware, and more. I’m currently based in San Francisco, but previously spent over five years in China, covering the country’s technology sector.
Since 2020, I’ve covered the launch and explosive growth of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service, writing 600+ stories on availability and feature launches, but also the regulatory battles over the expansion of satellite constellations, fights with rival providers like AST SpaceMobile and Amazon, and the effort to expand into satellite-based mobile service. I’ve combed through FCC filings for the latest news and driven to remote corners of California to test Starlink’s cellular service.
I also cover cyber threats, from ransomware gangs to the emergence of AI-based malware. Earlier this year, the FTC forced Avast to pay consumers $16.5 million for secretly harvesting and selling their personal information to third-party clients, as revealed in my joint investigation with Motherboard.
I also cover the PC graphics card market. Pandemic-era shortages led me to camp out in front of a Best Buy to get an RTX 3000. I’m now following how President Trump’s tariffs will affect the industry. I’m always eager to learn more, so please jump in the comments with feedback and send me tips.
Read Full Bio
