Simpson Manufacturing Co. [1] [2] [3] [4], a California-based engineering firm and building material provider in the U.S. [2], recently experienced a cybersecurity incident on October 10. This incident disrupted its IT infrastructure and applications [1] [2] [4], leading to operational disruptions. The company has taken immediate action to address the incident and has enlisted the help of third-party cybersecurity experts.
Description
The cybersecurity incident at Simpson Manufacturing Co. occurred on October 10 [3], resulting in disruptions to the company’s IT infrastructure and applications. To mitigate the incident [1], certain systems were taken offline and immediate remediation efforts were initiated. However, operations have been affected, and the company expects disruptions until the incident is fully resolved. Third-party cybersecurity experts have been engaged to aid in the investigation and recovery process [2].
While the nature and scope of the incident are still being assessed [3] [4], it is suspected to be ransomware due to the systems being taken offline and ongoing disruptions [2]. At this time, no ransomware group has claimed responsibility [2]. It is worth noting that cyber attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, often carried out by professional groups and nation-state attackers [2]. In this case, it is believed that the attackers gained access through social engineering and unpatched software [2].
To prevent and mitigate future breaches [2], organizations should prioritize educating end users on recognizing and defending against social engineering attacks [2]. Regularly patching software and firmware is also crucial. As the manufacturing industry becomes a target for threat actors, implementing tools such as low-code automation can help enhance security measures [2].
Conclusion
The cybersecurity incident at Simpson Manufacturing Co. has had significant impacts on the company’s operations. While efforts are underway to resolve the incident, disruptions are expected to continue until a full resolution is achieved. This incident highlights the need for organizations to prioritize cybersecurity measures, including educating end users and regularly patching software. As cyber attacks become more sophisticated, it is crucial for companies to stay vigilant and implement robust security measures to protect against future breaches.
References
[1] https://www.darkreading.com/attacks-breaches/simpson-manufacturing-launches-investigation-after-cyberattack
[2] https://siliconangle.com/2023/10/11/building-materials-provider-simpson-manufacturing-struck-cyberattack/
[3] https://www.constructiondive.com/news/simpson-manufacturing-cyberattack-construction/696408/
[4] https://www.morningstar.com/news/marketwatch/2023101167/simpson-manufacturing-says-it-was-hit-by-a-cyber-attack-on-tuesday-is-working-to-investigate
