Quintal, a Manufacturing Sector Company, Suffers Ransomware Attack by Lockbit3

Quintal, a pivotal entity in the agricultural, construction, metallurgical, and energy sectors, known for its production and distribution of manganese-based chemicals and the commercialization of supplies for foundries and steel mills, has recently fallen victim to a ransomware attack orchestrated by the Lockbit3 group. This incident was disclosed on the group's dark web leak site, with Quintal's official website being https://quintal.com.co/en/home/.

As a significant contributor to its industry, Quintal's role in advancing various sectors through its offerings is undeniable. Yet, details regarding the company's size and potential vulnerabilities remain obscure, leaving the reasons for its targeting by Lockbit3 - whether due to its industry stature, size, or specific security weaknesses - unclear.

Lockbit3, active since at least October 2021, is recognized for its attacks on previously compromised organizations. The assault on Quintal aligns with the increasing trend of ransomware attacks targeting the manufacturing sector, among others, highlighting a rise in both frequency and complexity of such cyber threats.

This recent attack on Quintal serves as a stark reminder of the persistent danger cybercriminals pose to businesses across all sectors, emphasizing the critical importance of implementing comprehensive cybersecurity strategies to safeguard systems and data against such nefarious activities.

Sources

• Quintal. (n.d.). We are Quintal. Retrieved April 10, 2024, from https://quintal.com.co/en/home/
• CoinDesk. (2023, February 23). Ransomware Gang Conti Has Re-Surfaced and Now Operates as TRM Labs. Retrieved April 10, 2024, from https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2023/02/23/ransomware-gang-conti-has-re-surfaced-under-a-new-name-trm-labs/
• SpringerLink. (2023, June 2). An overview of cybercrime law in South Africa. Retrieved April 10, 2024, from https://www.springerlink.com/article/10.1365/s43439-023-00089-8
• CoinDesk. (2022, May 17). Ransomware Gang Extorted 725 BTC in One Attack, On-Chain Sleuths Find. Retrieved April 10, 2024, from https://www.coindesk.com/layer2/2022/05/17/ransomware-gang-extorted-725-btc-in-one-attack-on-chain-sleuths-find/