Hackers Force Asahi Brewing Giant Back to Pen and Paper
A devastating cyber-attack at the end of last month forced Japan's largest brewing company, Asahi, to halt production at most of its 30 factories in the country, leaving a shortage of its popular Super Dry beer on store shelves. According to Reuters, only four bottles of Asahi Super Dry were left on the shelves of Ben Thai, a cozy restaurant in Tokyo's Sengawacho suburb.
The attack, which was severe enough to shut down six breweries and most of the company's facilities, has now partially reopened, but production is still far from normal. "We are working hard to get back to full capacity as soon as possible," said an Asahi spokesperson, who wished to remain anonymous. However, the company's computer systems were severely compromised, forcing staff to resort to manual record-keeping and pen-and-paper calculations.
The cyber-attack has had a significant impact on the supply chain, with many smaller customers like Ben Thai struggling to get their hands on the popular beer. "We expect to get a few more soon," said Sakaolath Sugizaki, owner of Ben Thai, "but our supplier is keeping the bulk of its stock for bigger customers." This has left smaller restaurants and bars scrambling to find alternative suppliers or stock up on other beers.
Asahi Super Dry is Japan's best-selling beer, with a loyal following across the country. The company's reliance on digital systems makes it vulnerable to cyber-attacks, which have become increasingly common in recent years. "Cybersecurity threats are becoming more sophisticated and frequent," said cybersecurity expert, Dr. Taro Yamada, who has been advising Asahi on its security measures. "Companies need to be proactive in protecting themselves against these threats."
Asahi is working closely with experts to restore its digital systems and prevent future attacks. In the meantime, customers will have to wait a little longer for their favorite beer. According to an Asahi spokesperson, production is expected to return to normal within the next few weeks.
The cyber-attack on Asahi highlights the growing threat of cybersecurity breaches in Japan's manufacturing sector. With many companies relying heavily on digital systems, the risk of disruption and loss of business is high. As the country continues to invest in its digital infrastructure, it must also prioritize cybersecurity measures to prevent such attacks from happening again.
Background
Asahi Super Dry has been a staple in Japanese beer culture for decades, with a loyal following across the country. The company's popularity was further boosted by its success at international beer festivals and awards. However, the cyber-attack has dealt a significant blow to the company's reputation and operations.
Current Status
Production at Asahi's 30 factories in Japan is expected to return to normal within the next few weeks. In the meantime, customers will have to wait for their favorite beer. The company is working closely with experts to restore its digital systems and prevent future attacks.
Next Steps
Asahi plans to invest heavily in cybersecurity measures to prevent similar attacks from happening again. The company has also announced plans to increase its security staff and implement new protocols to protect against cyber-attacks.
This story was compiled from reports by BBC Technology and BBC Business.
