The cyber-attack was targeted directly against a leading US meat supply company

Biden threatens Putin with retaliation over suspected meat industry hacks

photo_camera REUTERS/TOM BRENNER - US President Joe Biden

Russia and the United States are once again at the centre of a new diplomatic rupture. This time, instigated by a new cyber-attack on the US affiliate of the meat company JBS, the world's largest meat producer. The company's management accuses a group of Russian hackers of having committed the attack, an aggression that would have forced the closure of several factories and the stoppage of part of the production in North America and Australia.

The shutdown has raised concerns because this attack affects meat production and could impact the country's supply of 20% of the processed meat products currently consumed in the United States, the leading meat consumer with an annual average of 97.1 kg.
 

Atalayar_ataque hacker

According to a White House spokesperson, the company received a request for a rescue that was linked to "a criminal organisation" based in Russia. The attack would be the second in less than a month after hackers from the DarkSide group forced the temporary shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline network, which provides 45% of the fuel consumed on the US East Coast. The DarkSide attack provoked panic among US society, which rushed to buy gasoline fearing that the price of gasoline would rise considerably.

The cyber offensive comes a week ahead of an expected meeting between Biden and Putin in Switzerland on 16 June. At the meeting, President Biden will discuss with his Russian counterpart about the cyber threat that has exposed the vulnerability of the security of basic US supply networks.
 

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Atalayar_ataque hacker

These attacks are a strategic tactic by hackers to hit companies at key points in supply chains and more effectively exploit demand for ransom, with direct consequences for markets that supply consumer commodities. According to the US, Russia is providing a safe haven for hackers who are attacking key supply companies for the nation.

JBS has reported that the factories have reopened and are operating normally, thus avoiding a possible price increase in processed meat products. However, cybersecurity experts point out that a few days of interruption in activity can still have important consequences and that the industry continues to present security vulnerabilities, so it could be a victim of another attack.
 

Atalayar_ataque hacker

According to the spokesperson, "the White House is in direct contact with the Russian Government on this issue and is sending a message that responsible States do not host ransomware criminals". The White House has reported that the JBS affiliate has received assistance and that the Department of Agriculture is in talks with the company's management. Meanwhile, the FBI continues to investigate the attack and the Agency for Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security is providing technical support to the affiliate.

John Sheehy, director of strategic security services at IOActive, told CNBC that "This is the second major ransomware attack in which the government has identified that the hackers are geographically based in Russia and this is a major political issue", and that "It is not clear that there is any Russian government support for these criminal organisations, but there is some concern that they are being allowed to operate at full strength".
 

 Cyber-attacks, a silent danger

Successive cybersecurity attacks on companies that host consumer data and personal information continue to occur in a society that is largely unaware of basic notions of cybersecurity and the dangers that cyber-attacks can bring in the form of data hijacking.

Atalayar_ataque hacker

The attack against JBS has been carried out through a type of attack known as ramsonware, a software that, upon gaining access to a computer, gives the hacker the ability to lock the device, as well as encrypt the files and take away the user's control over their stored data and personal information. To be allowed to use the files again, the hacker would demand a financial ransom in order to remove the access restriction so that they can use it again. In case of refusal, the cybercriminals can make public the encrypted information.

In 2020, this type of attack was the biggest security threat to businesses and governments, and according to the Global Threats Report, ramsonware is expected to continue to be a major security attack in 2021.
 


 

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