Attack Overview
VICTIM
Genus
INDUSTRY
Agriculture
LOCATION
United Kingdom
ATTACKER
Lockbit
FIRST REPORTED
June 14, 2022

Genus Plc Suffers Ransomware Attack

Company Overview

Genus Plc is a global company that specializes in animal genetic improvement, with a focus on large and progressive protein producers. They operate in the dairy, beef, and pork food production sectors. The company's worldwide sales are made in over 100 countries.

Vulnerabilities and Mitigation

Genus Plc has identified cybersecurity as a principal risk, acknowledging the need to adequately detect and mitigate malicious cyber attacks by internal or external activists and to quickly recover from such incidents. They have implemented a flexible multi-layered approach that focuses on employee awareness and training, policies, software, and a third-party 24 x 7 monitoring Security Operations Centre, following ISO 27001 standards. The company has also improved its system and data backup procedures and hardened its servers to strengthen its resilience.

Impact of the Attack

The ransomware attack on Genus Plc had a limited impact on their systems, with minimal disruption to entities operating on GenusOne. However, certain local systems were affected, particularly in Latin America, causing short-term operational disruptions. The company successfully resolved the attack without paying a ransom.

The ransomware attack on Genus Plc highlights the need for companies in the agriculture sector to remain vigilant against cyber threats. Despite the company's efforts to strengthen its cybersecurity measures, it was still targeted by Lockbit2. Genus Plc's experience serves as a reminder that no organization is immune to cyber attacks and that continuous monitoring and improvement of security measures are crucial in mitigating risks.

Sources

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