Honda Suffers Ransomware Attack by Vicesociety

Company Overview

Honda Motor Company, Ltd. is a Japanese public multinational conglomerate known for manufacturing automobiles, motorcycles, and power equipment. As the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines, Honda produces over 14 million engines annually. Additionally, it stands as the second-largest Japanese automobile manufacturer with a global operational footprint.

Vulnerabilities and Impact

The ransomware attack, attributed to the Vicesociety group and believed to be a variant of the Snake ransomware family, has significantly impacted Honda's operations. The attack compromised the company's access to computer servers, email, and internal systems. Despite Honda's assurance that no sensitive data was breached, the attack led to the shutdown of multiple plants worldwide. This incident underscores the vulnerability of Honda's interconnected global operations to cyberattacks.

Previous Attacks

Honda has been the target of significant cyberattacks in the past. In 2017, the WannaCry ransomware affected five of its production facilities. More recently, in 2020, the company's global network fell victim to an Ekans ransomware attack, causing further production disruptions.

Mitigation Strategies

Although specific details of Honda's response to the Vicesociety attack are not publicly available, it is generally advisable for companies to update and secure their legacy operational technology (OT) systems, adhere to stringent security standards, and ensure that employees are trained in cybersecurity best practices. While air-gapping is a common preventative measure against ransomware, it is not entirely secure due to potential remote access for maintenance and other vulnerabilities.

The ransomware attack on Honda by Vicesociety underscores the critical importance of robust cybersecurity measures in protecting against sophisticated and damaging cyber threats. Honda's experiences highlight the ongoing risks faced by large, established organizations in the digital age.

Sources

• Astra Honda Motor Indonesia
• Honda victim of ransomware attack - JD Supra
• Heimdal Case Files: The Honda Ransomware Attack
• Honda May Have Been the Victim of a Ransomware Attack - IT Security Guru