Daily US Times: The world’s largest meat processing company JBS has been hit by a sophisticated cyber-attack.
Computer networks at the company were hacked, causing some operations in Canada, Australia and the US to temporarily shut down, affecting thousands of workers.
The company believes the ransomware attack originated from a criminal group likely based in Russia, according to the White House.
The cyber-attack could lead to shortages of meat or raise prices for consumers.
In a ransomware attack, hackers get into a computer network and threaten to cause disruption or delete files unless a ransom is paid.
FBI is investigating the attack, White House has said.
On Tuesday, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre: “JBS notified [the White House] that the ransom demand came from a criminal organisation likely based in Russia.”
Dhe added: “The White House is engaging directly with the Russian government on this matter and delivering the message that responsible states do not harbour ransomware criminals.”
JBS said it suspended all affected IT systems as soon as the cyber-attack was detected, and that its backup servers were not hacked.
However many affected plants of the meat giant are still unable to operate.
JBS said in a statement: “Resolution of the incident will take time, which may delay certain transactions with customers and suppliers.”
IT systems are essential in modern meat processing plants, with computers used at multiple stages including shipping and billing.
JBS’s five biggest beef plants are in the United States, and the shutdowns have halted a fifth of meat production there.
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