Charlotte-based Carolina Foods, known for pioneering one of America’s earliest honey bun recipes, has fallen prey to a ransomware attack, joining a growing list of companies targeted by cyber extortion. Ransomware attacks, where hackers infiltrate systems, encrypt data, and demand payment for its release, are on the rise, posing significant risks to business operations and data security. Despite the severity of the attack, Carolina Foods has remained silent on the incident, underscoring the ongoing challenge businesses face in combating cyber threats in today’s interconnected landscape.
Tom Blanchard, CEO of Sterling Technology Solutions, sheds light on the dynamics of such attacks, highlighting their often international origin and the challenge of tracing perpetrators. Blanchard emphasizes the importance of businesses remaining vigilant and implementing robust cybersecurity measures, including maintaining reliable backups to swiftly recover from ransomware incidents.
The ransomware attack on Carolina Foods, attributed to the Black Basta group, potentially compromised up to 450 gigabytes of company data, encrypting it and demanding payment for its release. The impact of such an attack on Carolina Foods’ logistical systems could significantly impede their operations, affecting critical functions like truck deliveries, further underscoring the disruptive potential of ransomware attacks on businesses.
