Ransomeware Attacks Meat Availability in North America

A criminal organization based in Russia attacked Brazil’s JBS SA with ransomware to disrupt its meat production. This Brazilian company produces meat for importation into North America and Australia.

The White House deputy press Karine Jean-Pierre said the company notified the Biden administration on Sunday. Jean-Pierre said the administration has offered assistance to the company and that JBS told the White House the ransom demand came from a criminal organization “likely based in Russia.” She said the White House is engaging with the Russian government and is “delivering the message that responsible states don’t harbor ransomware criminals.”

Last month, ransomware attacked a gas pipeline resulting in shortages on the East Coast and created a mass gas hike in Northeastern states. The White House has reached out to the Russian government, and the FBI is currently investigating to find the culprits.

If this problem is not solved then consumers will have to find alternative ways of consuming protein, such as eating beans and seafood instead.

JBS controls about 20% of the slaughtering capacity for U.S. cattle and hogs, and it’s headquartered in Greenley, Colorado. The company has stopped production and JBS Beef in Cactus, Texas has also stopped its production according to its Facebook post. JBS, the world’s largest meatpacker, and production company have also stopped operations in Australia.

JBS said,  “On Sunday, May 30, JBS USA determined that it was the target of an organized cybersecurity attack, affecting some of the servers supporting its North American and Australian IT systems.”

The company also explained that “Resolution of the incident will take time, which may delay certain transactions with customers and suppliers,” and “the backup servers were not affected.”