Twin Ransomware Attacks Halt Business For Agriculture Industry

Exploit: Ransomware
Company: New Cooperative And Crystal Valley Cooperative
Industry: Manufacturing, Agriculture
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/09/21/new-cooperative-hack-ransomware/
https://www.crystalvalley.coop/about-us/news/article/important-notice

After double hacking breaches were reported in the healthcare industry earlier this week, another pair of cyber attacks were reported in the agricultural industry. New Cooperative and Crystal Valley Cooperative were both hit by ransomware attacks days apart. While the incidents have caused the two companies’ systems to be shut down, there could be even more significant disruptions to the US’s food supply chain.

New Cooperative was the first of the two ag companies to be hit by ransomware. The co-op announced they had to shut down their IT systems and expect “public disruption” to the grain, pork and chicken supply chain to follow if operations are not restored quickly.

The ransomware group BlackMatter, responsible for several major ransomware attacks over the last month, are claiming to be behind New Cooperative’s attack. After releasing proof of the attack on their dark web leak site, BlackMatter has demanded a $5.9 million ransom.

A few days after New Cooperative’s incident, Crystal Valley was also hit by their own ransomware attack. In a recent announcement, the company stated all of its corporate IT systems were shut down leaving them without the ability to process credit card payments. There have been no groups or cyber threat actors that have stepped forth claiming responsibility for Crystal Valley’s attack.

Both incidents come at a very tough time for the agriculture industry as harvest season is in full swing. The companies are looking to get their operations and systems back online as soon as possible amid ongoing investigations.

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