Data Breach Shock: Asahi Exposes 1.5 Million Customers in Major Cyber-Attack!

Asahi, the renowned Japanese beer giant, recently disclosed that a catastrophic cyber-attack in September has potentially compromised the personal information of over 1.5 million customers. This revelation highlights the vulnerability of even major corporations to cyber threats. In an official statement, Asahi reported that the ransomware attack had severely disrupted operations, forcing employees to revert to manual order-taking methods using pen and paper.

The investigation into the breach revealed that personal details, including names, genders, addresses, and contact information of those who had reached out to customer service, were likely exposed. The company is in the process of notifying those affected. Asahi also announced a postponement of its full-year financial results release as it prioritizes managing the aftermath of the attack.

While Qilin, a known ransomware group, took responsibility for the attack, Asahi did not reveal any specific demands from the attackers. The breach was initially detected on September 29 when one of Asahi’s data centers experienced a disruption. Although the targeted system was rapidly isolated, investigators confirmed that the attackers had infiltrated the network and encrypted data using ransomware.

Asahi has confirmed only 18 items of employee-related information were definitively compromised, but acknowledged that personal information of 1.52 million customers might also be at risk. Additionally, data belonging to 107,000 employees and their 168,000 family members, as well as 114,000 external contacts, may have been leaked, although credit card details were not among the information at risk.

Despite the incident’s severity, Asahi has not found evidence indicating that the leaked data has been circulated publicly. The impact of the attack is reported to be confined to Asahi’s operations in Japan, while its European brands, including Peroni and Fuller’s Brewery, remain unaffected. The breach has led to noticeable drink shortages in shops across Japan, where Asahi controls around 40% of the beer market, impacting both their beer and soft drink supply.

Asahi’s CEO, Atsushi Katsuki, expressed regret over the disruptions caused by the incident, emphasizing the company’s commitment to swift system restoration and enhanced information security measures to prevent future attacks. This incident reflects a growing trend of cyber threats facing large organizations, echoing similar attacks on other global brands, such as Jaguar Land Rover.