Tokyo-based food producer and distributor Nichirei Corp. says it will fully resume operations this week after a cyber attack disrupted its food delivery services, affecting clients nationwide including Kentucky Fried Chicken Japan.
Shipments of frozen food handled by Nichirei’s logistics arm that were affected by the attack are scheduled to return to normal at all locations this week, it said in a statement on Wednesday. The company says it’s implementing security measures in consultation with an external security firm.
The recovery comes as a group of hackers called “RansomHouse” claimed responsibility for the attack on Nichirei, according to a report by public broadcaster NHK. The group claimed in a dark web post that it had obtained internal data from Nichirei, NHK reported, citing security company S&J Corp.
Nichirei is aware of the hackers’ claims but won’t comment further, according to a spokesperson contacted by telephone by Bloomberg News. The company is in communication with authorities and an investigation is underway, the spokesperson said.
“Chicken is back!” according to KFC Japan. As operations resume at Nichirei’s 5,000-odd logistics clients, the restaurant chain is offering discounted four-piece packs in a campaign to apologize to its inconvenienced customers. All of its stores are now operating as usual, according to a statement on Wednesday.
A spokesperson for Pan Pacific International Holdings Corp., whose Don Quijote discount retail stores were also impacted by the logistics disruption, says they’re on track for a full recovery, and key products are being delivered without issue.
“The incident occurred even as companies are strengthening their cybersecurity measures,” said Hiroshi Saji, a senior analyst at Mizuho Securities Co. “It suggests there’s a need to quickly build a new ecosystem that goes beyond individual companies as cyber attackers will continue to become more sophisticated.”
Photo credit: Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images
Topics Cyber
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