Meatpacker JBS Hit by Cyberattack Affecting North American, Australian Operations

By Dave Sebastian

Meatpacking company JBS USA Holdings Inc. said it was the target of a cybersecurity attack that affected some of its North American and Australian information-technology systems.

JBS USA, a unit of Brazilian meat company JBS SA, said the resolution of the incident would delay certain transactions with customers and suppliers. The company said it suspended all affected systems, notified authorities and is working with professionals and third-party experts to resolve the issue.

JBS said its backup servers weren't affected by the attack. It said it isn't aware of any evidence that any customer, supplier or employee data has been compromised or misused due to the attack.

The incident comes as cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure or key companies, some by suspected foreign actors, have become a growing area of concern for the U.S. national security officials.

A ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline Co. forced a shutdown of a key fuel artery for the U.S. East Coast last month, resulting in fuel shortages in some Southeastern states and pushed gas prices to the highest levels in six years.

Write to Dave Sebastian at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

06-01-21 0816ET