The notorious Akira ransomware group has recently announced that it has successfully breached Gerber Childrenswear, a leading marketer of infant and toddler apparel. The cybercriminals claim to have gained unauthorized access to a massive 500GB of company data and have declared their intention to leak it. This unfortunate incident has put the beloved children’s fashion brand in a vulnerable position, as sensitive business information such as patents, trademarks, and contracts with other industry giants may now be exposed.
Despite attempts by The Cyber Express to reach out to Gerber Childrenswear for more information regarding the breach, no official response or statement has been received from the company. This lack of communication is concerning, especially considering the growing trend of cyber attacks targeting fashion brands in recent years.
Luxury brands, in particular, have not been immune to these malicious activities. In 2020, Marriott Hotels faced a major data breach that affected up to 339 million guests. The hotel chain was subsequently fined £18.4 million by the UK’s data protection regulator. This case highlights the severity of cyber attacks on fashion brands and the potential consequences they can have.
In a more recent incident, United Colors of Benetton experienced a cyber attack on its Italy Nerve Centre, targeting its online sales platform and logistic center. Luckily, Benetton’s IT team and Security Operations Center were able to mitigate the damage and expect operations to resume soon. However, Moncler, another well-known fashion brand, fell victim to a ransomware attack, resulting in the theft and release of sensitive data on employees, suppliers, consultants, and customers.
Statistics from IBM’s “Cost of a Data Breach Report 2021” reveal that the average total cost of a data breach varies across industries, with figures ranging from $3.03 million in hospitality to $3.75 million in transportation. Cyberattacks have also become more frequent, with businesses experiencing over 50% more attempted attacks every week.
It is important to note that the surge in cyberattacks is not solely attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic, as highlighted by trusted sources on cybersecurity matters such as The Interline. Businesses across all sectors need to prioritize their cybersecurity measures to protect their valuable data and prevent potential breaches.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this report is based on internal and external research obtained through various sources. While The Cyber Express strives to provide accurate information, users should exercise caution and bear full responsibility for their reliance on this information. The Cyber Express assumes no liability for any inaccuracies or consequences arising from the use of this information.
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