JBS says Russian organization likely source of cyber attack – USA

JBS beef factory in Greeley, Colorado

The Brazil-based group’s operations in North America and Australia have been compromised by what JBS calls an “organized cybersecurity attack”.

The meat packer’s business in Australia was shut down while production at locations in the US was impacted.

„JBS has informed the government that the ransom demand is from a criminal organization likely based in Russia,” a White House spokesman said and CNN today (June 1st). „The White House is working directly with the Russian government on this matter and is sending the message that responsible states do not harbor ransomware criminals.”

Just Food has approached JBS and the US Department of Agriculture for comment.

Last night local time, a JBS site in Texas posted on Facebook that it will be „down tomorrow.”

This morning local time, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union announced Local 7 Just Food that two shifts at the JBS facility in Greeley, Colorado had been canceled today „due to the cyber attack.”

In a statement released yesterday, the US arm of JBS said it „discovered that it was the target of an organized cybersecurity attack targeting some of the servers that support its North American and Australian IT systems.”

JBS USA said it had „taken immediate action to suspend all affected systems, notify the authorities and activate the company’s global network of IT professionals and outside experts to resolve the situation.”

It insisted that its „backup servers were unaffected” and added, „The company is currently not aware of any evidence that customer, supplier or employee data has been compromised or misused as a result of the situation. The incident will take some time to resolve, which can delay certain transactions with customers and suppliers. ”

JBS describes itself as the „largest protein producer in the world”. The company processes beef, pork, lamb and chicken and is present in the growing market for meat alternatives.

In addition to North America and Australia, JBS has offices in several countries in Latin America and Europe.

In 2020, JBS generated net sales of BRL 270.2 billion (US $ 52.44 billion), up 32.1% from the previous year. Higher tax charges contributed to a 24.2% decrease in net income to BRL4.6 ​​billion.