This story caught my eye because of the Industry.
Alcohol.
Japan's Asahi Group Holdings (the largest brewer by market share and volume) had to completely halt order/shipping operations while also taking down call centers on Monday morning. The company has released very little information thus far but did indicate that a cyber attack was to blame.
Asahi employees 30,000 people and produces enormous amounts of product each year (over 20 billion in sales in 2024).
Why did this story catch my eye?
I live in Kentucky, alcohol is a critical component of our economy. Period.
Here are some reason why:
-95% of the worlds supply of bourbon is produced in Kentucky.
-Bourbon generates $9 billion annually for our state.
-Currently there over 12 million barrels of bourbon aging in a state of 4.5 million people.
-Over 23,000 jobs are directly or indirectly tied to bourbon with an annual payroll of over $1.5 billion.
I could go on and on regarding tourism, collegiate programs, agriculture impact etc...
You get the point.
I worry about bourbon in Kentucky.
I worry because I know the systems are old. The logistics are strained, the inventory management is complex beyond belief, the data necessary to keep bourbon moving is extraordinary...Lab software, inventory systems, ordering, shipping, point of sale, vendor management, HR and employee systems, fleet tracking, warehouse security and climate control systems...
I hope (perhaps foolishly) that those companies are well protected. I hope for the sake of those Kentucky jobs, and those Kentucky families that depend on the industry to pay the mortgage and go grocery shopping.
If you work in an industry that is critical to your community and this post made you nervous....it is well passed time to speak up.
Reach out to a qualified MSP anywhere in the country and take the first step towards a more stable and secure future.
#StayVigilant #HardenTheTarget #CyberSecurity #CriticalIndustry #Bourbon #LocalEconomies #GlobalImpact #KentuckyProud #RealCyber
