In July 2021, REvil ransomware launched a supply chain attack on Kaseya, affecting over 1,500 businesses globally. The attack prompted President Biden to call on President Putin to address cybercriminals in Russia, warning that the U.S. will take action if the Russian government refuses to do so. The attack had significant consequences, including high ransom demands and substantial financial losses for the affected businesses.

JBS, one of the world's largest meat producers, was hit by a ransomware attack in 2021, which resulted in the temporary shutdown of its operations across multiple countries, including the United States. The attack caused significant disruptions to the supply chain, resulting in delays in meat processing and distribution, and raised concerns about the security of critical infrastructure in the food industry. The company reportedly paid an $11 million ransom to restore its systems. The impact of the attack was not just operational but also financial, with substantial costs incurred for recovery and ransom payment, alongside potential long-term reputational damage.

JBS Hit by Major Ransomware Attack Linked to Russia, Disrupting Global Meat Supply The world’s largest meat processing company, JBS, suffered a sophisticated ransomware attack that forced the temporary shutdown of operations in Australia, Canada, and the U.S., disrupting a significant portion of global meat production. The attack, detected on Monday, targeted the company’s IT systems, halting nearly a fifth of U.S. beef production and affecting thousands of workers. JBS, which processes roughly a quarter of America’s beef and a fifth of its pork, suspended affected systems immediately but confirmed its backup servers remained uncompromised. The White House revealed that the ransom demand originated from a criminal group likely based in Russia, prompting direct engagement with Moscow to address the incident. U.S. officials reiterated their stance against paying ransoms, warning it could encourage further attacks. Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov acknowledged discussions with the Biden administration regarding the cyberattack. While JBS’s South American operations remained unaffected, the disruption rippled through supply chains, with supermarkets and major customers like McDonald’s facing potential shortages or price increases. The United Food and Commercial Workers’ Union urged JBS to ensure workers received pay despite the shutdowns. The FBI is investigating the incident, which follows a similar ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline also linked to Russia that crippled fuel delivery in the southeastern U.S. last month. JBS, founded in Brazil in 1953, now operates over 150 plants across 15 countries and employs 150,000 people. The company reported "significant progress" in restoring operations, with most plants expected to resume work by Wednesday. The attack underscores the vulnerability of critical food supply chains to cyber threats.

In a major cyber security incident, JBS, one of the world's largest meat processing companies, became a victim of a ransomware attack that significantly disrupted its operations across four continents. The attack led to the shutdown of beef and poultry processing plants, causing substantial delays in the supply chain and affecting millions of consumers globally. The incident occurred amidst growing concerns over the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to cyber attacks. The hackers responsible for the attack demanded ransom in exchange for decrypting the affected systems, highlighting the ever-present threat of ransomware to both the economy and the food security of nations. JBS's prompt response to the attack, involving collaboration with law enforcement and cybersecurity experts, was crucial in mitigating the impact and ensuring a swift recovery. However, the incident underscored the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures and preparedness within the global food industry.