Florida Sugar Cane League Suffers Ransomware Attack

Company Overview

The Florida Sugar Cane League, established in 1964 by George Wedgworth and a cohort of South Florida farmers, has grown to represent the interests of sugarcane growers, processors, and their employees across Florida and Texas. With offices in Washington, DC, and South Florida, the League employs a dedicated team of scientists, government affairs professionals, and community outreach staff to advocate for the sugarcane industry.

Industry Impact

The sugarcane industry plays a crucial role in Florida's economy, contributing $3.27 billion and supporting over 12,500 jobs. The Florida Sugar Cane League has been instrumental in fostering community relations, engaging with over 100 groups in its inaugural year and organizing farm tours for 2,000 Palm Beach County residents to promote agricultural education and awareness.

Vulnerabilities

While the specific cybersecurity vulnerabilities exploited in the ransomware attack on the Florida Sugar Cane League by the HiveLeak group remain undisclosed, the incident underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity measures. The attack, announced on a dark web leak site, highlights the potential risks faced by organizations within the agriculture sector, emphasizing the need for continuous improvement of cybersecurity defenses to protect against such threats.

The Florida Sugar Cane League's significant role in advocating for sugarcane growers and processors, coupled with its economic impact, underscores the importance of safeguarding such entities from cyber threats. The attack by HiveLeak serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that exist and the potential consequences of cybersecurity breaches.

Sources

• Florida Sugar Cane League. (n.d.). Retrieved April 10, 2024, from http://floridasugarcaneleague.org/
• Florida Sugar Cane League. (n.d.). Our Team. Retrieved April 10, 2024, from http://floridasugarcaneleague.org/about/our-team/