A distributor to the UK's major supermarkets has said it is being held to ransom by cyber hackers. Logistics firm Peter Green Chilled supplies supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury's, Lidl and Aldi, but it is not in the top 30 of UK food distributors. It toldBBC's Wake Up to Moneyclients were "receiving regular updates" including "workarounds" on how to continue deliveries. One of its customers, Black Farmer founder Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, said pallets containing thousands of his products could go to waste. It comes after recent major cyber-attacks onMarks & SpencerandCo-op. A ransomware attack is where hackers encrypt a victim's data and lock them out of computer systems, demanding payment to hand back control. In an email sent on Thursday, seen by the BBC, Peter Green Chilled said it had been the victim of a ransomware attack. It said no orders would be processed on Thursday, although any order prepared on Wednesday would be sent. It confirmed to the BBC the cyber attack happened on Wednesday evening but it was not in a position to discuss further. "The transport activities of the business have continued unaffected throughout this incident," its managing director Tom Binks said. One of the supermarket suppliers affected is Mr Emmanuel-Jones. He said that he had "something like ten pallets worth of meat products" with Peter Green Chilled. He said if those products don't get to the retailers in time they will have to be "thrown in the bin". Ten pallets is "thousands and thousands of packs of products, sitting there, and the clock is ticking," he said. "There's no information. Everything along the chain has to be stopped, and then there are thousands of pounds worth of product that are just wasting away." Co-op narrowly avoided being locked out of its systems during an attack which exposed customer data and caused shortages of stock. A ransomware group claimed responsibility for the attack on M&S which saw customer data stolen and empty shelves. The retailer itself said it had suffered a cyber attack. Phil Pluck, chief executive of the Cold Chain Federation, said the warehousing, food storage and distribution sectors were "constantly under attack". A few years ago, there were a few cyber and ransomware attacks, but in the last year there has been "a huge increase", he said. About half of the food consumed in the UK "goes through the cold chain sector", he said, so hackers "know how critical" distribution is for "putting food on supermarket shelves". He added that was "a really good lever to put the pressure on our companies to actually pay that ransomware". Mr Pluck said that he knew of at least ten attacks on member companies, but that firms like to keep attacks "under the radar". He said cyber attacks were "hugely underreported" in any sector "because once you're attacked you lose control of your company" both through the attack and the mitigations by police and insurers.
Supplier to major supermarkets hit by cyber attack
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"UK Supermarket Supplier Peter Green Chilled Faces Ransomware Attack"
Bbc News
7.5
TruthLens AI Summary
Peter Green Chilled, a logistics firm supplying major UK supermarkets such as Tesco, Sainsbury's, Lidl, and Aldi, has reported being targeted by a cyber attack that has rendered it unable to process orders. The firm disclosed that it is being held to ransom by cyber hackers, indicating a ransomware situation where access to its data and systems has been restricted. The attack occurred on Wednesday evening, leading to a halt in order processing on Thursday, though orders prepared the previous day were still dispatched. Managing Director Tom Binks reassured clients that transport activities remained unaffected, and the company was providing regular updates to its customers, including alternative solutions to maintain deliveries amid the disruption. The situation has raised concerns among suppliers, particularly for those like Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, founder of Black Farmer, who expressed fears that thousands of meat products could perish if not delivered in time.
The incident highlights a troubling trend in the food distribution sector, which has seen a significant rise in cyber attacks over the past year. Phil Pluck, the chief executive of the Cold Chain Federation, noted that the warehousing and food distribution sectors are increasingly targeted due to their crucial role in maintaining the food supply chain. He emphasized that approximately half of the food consumed in the UK relies on the cold chain sector, making it a prime target for hackers who leverage the critical nature of these operations to pressure companies into paying ransoms. Pluck mentioned that he is aware of at least ten cyber attacks on member companies, indicating a broader issue of underreporting in the sector as businesses strive to maintain operational control and mitigate damage following an attack. This incident at Peter Green Chilled underscores the vulnerabilities faced by companies in the food supply chain and the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The recent news regarding a cyber attack on Peter Green Chilled, a distributor for major supermarkets in the UK, brings attention to the increasing vulnerability of supply chains in the face of cyber threats. This incident highlights not only the immediate impact on food distribution but also broader implications for the grocery industry and consumer confidence.
Purpose Behind the Report
The article appears to aim at raising awareness about the risks associated with cyber security in the supply chain, particularly in the food distribution sector. By detailing the effects of the attack on businesses and customers, it seeks to inform the public about the potential consequences of such breaches. The mention of past attacks on other retailers like Marks & Spencer and Co-op serves to contextualize the issue, suggesting a growing trend of cyber threats in the industry.
Public Perception and Sentiment
This news likely fosters a sense of concern among consumers regarding the safety and reliability of their food supply. By emphasizing the potential waste of thousands of pounds worth of products due to the delay in deliveries, the article could evoke sympathy for affected suppliers and a sense of urgency among stakeholders to address cyber security.
Potential Omissions
While the article focuses on the immediate effects of the cyber attack, it may not delve deeply into the broader systemic issues within the supply chain that contribute to its vulnerability. There might be underlying concerns that are not being addressed, such as the adequacy of cyber defenses in place at key distribution firms.
Manipulative Aspects
The report contains elements that could be perceived as manipulative, particularly in its emotional appeal to the waste of food and the impact on small businesses. The urgency created by the ticking clock imagery around spoiled products could serve to amplify consumer anxiety. However, this is not necessarily negative if it drives action toward improving cyber security.
Comparative Context
When compared to similar reports on past cyber attacks, this article highlights a pattern of increasing frequency and severity of cyber incidents in the retail sector. Such connections may suggest a systemic risk that needs to be addressed at a higher level, hinting at potential policy discussions or regulatory changes in response to these threats.
Industry Image
The publication of this news reflects negatively on the food distribution sector, raising questions about its resilience against cyber threats. This could lead to greater scrutiny from both consumers and regulators, potentially affecting business operations and market confidence.
Societal and Economic Impact
Given the essential nature of food supply, disruptions caused by cyber attacks can have significant ripple effects on society. There is a risk of increased prices, shortages, and a loss of trust in the supply chain, which could influence consumer behavior and government policy concerning cyber security regulations.
Target Audience
The article is likely intended for a broad audience, including consumers, industry stakeholders, and policymakers. It appeals to those concerned about food safety and security, as well as businesses looking to bolster their cyber defenses.
Market Implications
This news could lead to heightened scrutiny of companies involved in logistics and supply chain management. Investors may reconsider their positions in firms perceived as vulnerable to cyber threats, potentially impacting stock prices in the sector.
Geopolitical Relevance
While the immediate implications are largely domestic, the trend of increasing cyber attacks on essential services reflects broader global vulnerabilities. This situation aligns with ongoing discussions about national security and cyber defenses.
Use of Artificial Intelligence
It is plausible that AI tools were utilized in drafting or analyzing this news piece, particularly in terms of data collection and presentation. However, the article maintains a human narrative style that suggests editorial oversight in its construction, focusing on emotional and impactful storytelling.
In conclusion, the reliability of this news report is supported by its factual basis and the credible sources cited, although it may carry a degree of emotional manipulation to heighten the sense of urgency surrounding cyber security in the food supply chain.