Major Manufacturer Taken Down by Ransomware Just Weeks before Christmas
In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, you may have missed the news about one of the largest ransomware cyberattacks in the United States in 2019.
In December, Southwire Co., North America’s largest wire and cable manufacturer, fell victim to a ransomware attack. The Carrollton, Georgia-based company reportedly suffered a data breach at the hands of the Maze gang, which has demanded a ransom of 850 bitcoins valued at about $6.1 million.
An image of the ransomware note was posted by a Southwire employee on Reddit, who claimed to work at Southwire’s plant in Rancho Cucamonga, California. The gives detailed directions on how to pay the ransom as well as the possible ramifications if the ransom is not paid.
The attack prompted a company wide shutdown after discovery of suspicious activity on the organization’s computer network. Some critical systems were brought back online five days after the attack, but Southwire has been unable to fully resume normal business operations.
Southwire has been in business for nearly seven decades and employs 7,500 people. The company produces wire for electrical lines that the cybercriminals may have used to mount an attack against Southwire.
Don’t make headlines for all the wrong reasons by protecting yourself against ransomware. The best prevention is to ensure you have the proper security solutions in place and that you partner with an IT consulting firm that has your back, all the time. 2W Tech is a full-service IT Consulting firm that specializes in manufacturing solutions. Security is one of our areas of expertise, so give a call today to learn more.
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