Cort Guitars Suffers Ransomware Attack

Overview of the Incident

Cort Guitars, a prominent figure in the guitar manufacturing industry, recently fell victim to a ransomware attack orchestrated by the Kelvinsecurity group. The announcement of the attack was made on the group's dark web leak site. Cort Guitars, a subsidiary of Cor-Tek, is renowned for its production of high-quality guitars at competitive prices, catering to various brands such as Squier, PRS SE, Ibanez, and G&L Tribute.

Despite its reputation for quality, Cort Guitars has faced criticism over its manufacturing processes and labor practices, particularly concerning the treatment of workers at its Indonesia plant. This ransomware attack underscores the cybersecurity vulnerabilities inherent in the manufacturing sector, emphasizing the potential for significant financial losses, data breaches, and damage to a company's productivity and reputation.

Impact and Company Response

As of now, Cort Guitars has not issued a public statement regarding the ransomware attack. The status of their operations and the safety of customer data remain uncertain, although their website continues to function. This incident highlights the critical need for companies, especially those within the manufacturing sector, to prioritize cybersecurity. Implementing robust security measures and incident response plans is essential to mitigate the risks posed by ransomware attacks and other cyber threats.

Sources

• "Understanding Ransomware and Its Impact on Businesses" - https://www.cisa.gov/ransomware
• "Best Practices for Preventing Business Disruption from Ransomware Attacks" - https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/ransomware-prevention-and-response-for-cisos.pdf