The recent ransomware attack on Blue Yonder, a prominent supply chain management software provider, has sent shockwaves through the industry just in time for the busy holiday season. This incident, which occurred on November 21st, targeted the infrastructure used by Blue Yonder to host a range of managed services for its clients, including some of the biggest names in retail, consumer goods, and manufacturing.
Among the companies most severely impacted by the attack are Morrisons and Sainsbury’s, two major supermarket chains in the UK. According to reports from The Grocer, the attack disrupted the delivery of goods to stores in the UK, leading to a potential drop in product availability at wholesale and convenience locations. In the US, Starbucks also reported disruptions to its backend processes related to scheduling and time tracking due to the attack.
Despite these challenges, there have been no widespread disruptions reported beyond these initial incidents. Blue Yonder’s roster of US clients, which includes major brands like Kimberly-Clark, Anheuser-Busch, and Best Buy, has not reported any significant operational issues as a result of the attack.
In response to the attack, Blue Yonder issued a statement acknowledging the ransomware incident and outlining the steps they are taking to address it. The company has been working with external cybersecurity firms to mitigate the impact of the attack and has implemented various defensive measures to prevent further damage. They have also notified affected customers and are providing updates on their website as their investigation progresses.
The ripple effect of the Blue Yonder attack is reminiscent of other major supply chain attacks in recent times, such as those targeting Progress Software’s MOVEit, Kaseya, WordPress, and Polyfill.io. These attacks demonstrate the vulnerability of organizations that rely on a single trusted player in the software supply chain and the far-reaching impact of such incidents.
Research conducted by Semperis indicates that ransomware attacks often occur during holidays and weekends when IT departments are understaffed. In fact, 86% of ransomware victims surveyed by Semperis in the past year were targeted on weekends or holidays. This underscores the importance of maintaining robust cybersecurity measures at all times, especially during peak periods of vulnerability.
Jeff Wichman, director of incident response at Semperis, emphasizes the need for organizations to maintain consistent security practices and staffing levels, even during holiday periods. He recommends that businesses maintain at least 75% of their regular staffing levels to ensure operational resilience and reduce the risk of cyberattacks.
Nick Tausek, lead security automation architect at Swimlane, stresses the importance of cyber hygiene, particularly during the holiday season. He highlights the value of user training, regular backups, and tested disaster recovery plans as key defenses against cybercriminals and ransomware operators during this critical time of year.
As organizations navigate the heightened risk of cyberattacks during the holiday season, maintaining a strong cybersecurity posture and staying vigilant against evolving threats will be crucial in safeguarding operations and protecting sensitive data from malicious actors.