The FBI’s Cyber Division has warned food industries and agricultural plants of potential attacks following a series of fires and explosions at food processing facilities across the United States.
According to the FBI’s recent warning, “Ransomware actors may be more prone to strike agrarian cooperatives during crucial sowing seasons, interrupting processes, resulting in financial loss, and having a negative impact on the food system.”
The FBI also stated that “Ransomware attacks in 2021, as well as early 2022, could interrupt the planting season by impacting the supply of seedlings and compost.”
The FBI also reported 4 separate cyberattacks that took place, targeting food manufacturers and food processing plants since last summer.
Why are so many food processing plants and warehouses catching fire all of a sudden? And as I was sitting in the studio getting ready for the report… a plane crashed at a General Mills food facility in Georgia. I discussed the issue on Tucker Carlson Tonight. pic.twitter.com/QWJ3b6j65d
— Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) April 22, 2022
In July 2021, a US enterprise resource planning firm found suspicious behavior on their network, describing it as “HelloKitty/Five Hands ransomware virus,” and asked the company for $30million in ransom.
The bureau also revealed that a grain company that also manufactures fertilizer and seeds and provides agricultural transportation in the United States was hit by Lock bit 2.0 ransomware.
“Conti, BlackMatter, Suncrypt, Sodinokibi, and BlackByte were among the ransomware strains used. Some of the companies that were targeted had to stop manufacturing completely, whereas others lost administrative roles.” The report said.
Moreover, despite the increase in media focus on food plant fires, the National Fire Protection Report revealed that US fire departments have responded to an approximate amount of 1,210 warehouse fires each year.
The association also revealed that intentional fires are responsible for 18% of all warehouse accidents.
