Bridgestone Confirms Cyberattack Impacts Manufacturing Facilities

Cybersecurity

Bridgestone Americas has reported a cyberattack that temporarily disrupted operations at several of its manufacturing facilities. According to the company, the incident has been contained, and business operations have resumed normalcy. A comprehensive investigation is currently underway to assess the breach.

Operational Impact

The cyber incident affected production capabilities, particularly impacting plant workers. Employees at affected facilities, such as the two plants in Aiken County, South Carolina, were given options regarding their work status during the disruption. They could either stay on-site for preventive maintenance work to receive a full day’s pay or leave without compensation.

While Bridgestone has described the incident as “limited,” additional reports from local officials indicate a potentially broader impact. In Joliette, Quebec, where Bridgestone has a significant plant, local authorities suggested the attack may have affected all of the company’s North American factories. The Joliette plant employs approximately 1,400 individuals.

Data Security

Bridgestone has assured stakeholders that no customer data was compromised during the incident. This assurance was further echoed by local officials after discussions with company executives.

Previous Incidents

This recent event marks the second significant cybersecurity challenge for Bridgestone in recent years. In 2022, the company experienced a ransomware attack attributed to the LockBit hacking group, which also halted production.

Ongoing Investigation

The forensic investigation into the current cyber incident is ongoing. Bridgestone continues to examine the nature and scope of the breach while maintaining regular business operations.