World’s largest processor of fresh beef, JBS Foods forced to shut down production after cyberattack

On 30^th of May 2021, the American food processing giant JBS Foods, the world’s largest processor of fresh beef, was forced to shut down multiple production plants of the company worldwide, including facilities located in the United States, Australia, and Canada because of a cyberattack.

JBS USA published a press release detailing their response to the incident: “The company took immediate action, suspending all affected systems, notifying authorities and activating the company’s global network of IT professionals and third-party experts to resolve the situation.”

Initially the company stated, “The company is not aware of any evidence at this time that any customer, supplier or employee data has been compromised or misused as a result of the situation” but on the 2^nd of June, FBI attributed the attack on REvil.

The result of the disrupt was a shortfall in meat production and therefore an increase in prices. The United States Department of Agriculture encouraged other meat companies to increase production to counter the shortfall.

Eventually JBS paid the hackers an $11 million ransom in Bitcoin.