Central Restaurant Products Suffers Ransomware Attack

Central Restaurant Products, a retailer specializing in commercial restaurant equipment, has been targeted by the ransomware group Conti. The attack was announced on the group's dark web leak site, and the victim's website is https://www.centralrestaurant.com/. The company operates in the retail sector and offers a wide range of products, including commercial solid door reach-in refrigerators, gas ranges, hot topping warmers, and more.

Central Restaurant Products is a trusted supplier of commercial equipment for the foodservice industry, with a mission to outfit businesses of all sizes with long-lasting products and the service they deserve. The company has been in operation since 1981 and has a significant presence in the market, with more than 100,000 restaurant locations reportedly using its platform.

The ransomware attack on Central Restaurant Products is part of a broader trend of cyber threats targeting the hospitality industry. In recent months, other restaurant chains have also been affected, such as Yum Brands and Five Guys in January. The Conti group, responsible for the attack on Central Restaurant Products, is known for its advanced persistent threat (APT) capabilities and aggressive targeting of known vulnerabilities.

The attack on Central Restaurant Products highlights the need for companies to implement robust cybersecurity measures to protect against ransomware attacks. This includes maintaining backups, planning for trouble, hardening endpoints, keeping systems up-to-date, scanning for vulnerabilities, training employees, monitoring networks, implementing multi-factor authentication, and considering cyber liability insurance.

Central Restaurant Products has not disclosed the extent of the damage caused by the ransomware attack or the specific vulnerabilities exploited by the Conti group. The company is currently working to restore its services and has not identified the threat actor behind the attack.

Sources

• Central Restaurant Products. (n.d.). Home Page. Retrieved April 10, 2024, from https://www.centralrestaurant.com/
• PYMNTS.com. (2023, April 17). NCR Ransomware Hits Restaurant Customers - PYMNTS.com. Retrieved April 10, 2024, from https://www.pymnts.com/news/security-and-risk/2023/ncr-reports-ransomware-attack-causing-reduced-functionality-at-restaurants/
• Cybersecurity Dive. (2023, May 16). NCR Ransomware Breach Provides Lessons To The Restaurant Industry. Retrieved April 10, 2024, from https://www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/ncr-ransomware-breach-restaurant/648005/