Jaguar Land Rover Extends Plant Shutdown: What You Need to Know After the Cyber Attack

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has faced significant disruptions due to a recent cyberattack. Their factories in the UK, including those in Halewood, Solihull, and Wolverhampton, have been offline since the end of August. This closure also affects their operations in Slovakia, China, and India.

In response to the attack, JLR shut down its IT systems to prevent further damage. As a result, production workers have been asked to stay home. The company estimates that around 1,000 cars are usually produced every day, but this has ground to a halt. The halt in production has not only affected JLR but also its suppliers, many of whom have also told their workers to remain at home.

The attack struck as new car deliveries were picking up, coinciding with the release of new registration plates on September 1. Because of the disruption, dealerships have struggled to register new vehicles, and garages found it hard to order necessary parts, although some workarounds have been implemented.

Experts are expressing concerns about the long-term impacts of this attack. Shaun Adams, who runs a car parts supplier, voiced worries about having to reassess business plans if the shutdown extends for weeks. “If this starts progressing over weeks, then we would have to seriously consider what we need to future-proof,” he said.

The hacking group responsible for this attack has previously targeted other businesses in the UK, including Marks & Spencer. They claimed credit for the JLR incident on the social media platform Telegram, revealing attempts to extort money from the car manufacturer.

Cybersecurity experts believe that this incident highlights the growing threat of cyberattacks on businesses. The FBI reported a staggering 1,500% increase in reported ransomware incidents since 2020, reflecting the urgency for improved cybersecurity measures across industries.

JLR is collaborating with cybersecurity specialists and law enforcement to resolve the situation and bring its networks back online safely. The attack serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities many companies face in this digital age, stressing the need for robust cybersecurity protocols.

For more detailed information about cyberattacks and their implications for businesses, you can access the FBI’s Cybersecurity Resources.

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