Major Cyber Attack: Over 1.5 Million Asahi Customers’ Data at Risk – What You Need to Know

Japanese beer giant Asahi faced a devastating cyber-attack in September that potentially compromised the personal information of over 1.5 million customers. The attack disrupted operations across its factories, forcing staff to revert to pen-and-paper methods for processing orders.

Asahi detailed the incident in a statement, noting that personal information from those who contacted its customer service might have been exposed. They plan to notify affected customers shortly. Due to this situation, the company is also delaying the release of its annual financial results to focus on recovery efforts.

The source of the attack remains unknown, but the ransomware group Qilin, known for targeting other major firms, has claimed responsibility. Asahi’s preliminary investigations revealed abnormalities in one of its data centers on September 29. Although the company acted quickly to isolate the issue, hackers had already infiltrated their network, encrypting data and deploying ransomware.

Asahi confirmed that personal details, including names, genders, addresses, and contact information, are among the leaked data. About 107,000 current and former employees’ details, along with 168,000 family members and 114,000 external contacts, were also at risk. Fortunately, credit card information was not part of the breach.

The attack has primarily affected systems within Japan, and Asahi claims there is no evidence of the leaked data being exploited. The impact on its European operations, which include famous brands like Peroni and Fuller’s Brewery, has been minimal.

After nearly two months of recovery efforts, Asahi is now working to restore its systems and enhance its network security. The outage led to shortages of Asahi products across Japan, where they hold about 40% of the beer market. ATSUSHI KATSUKI, the company’s president, acknowledged the challenges faced and emphasized their commitment to restoring full operations and safeguarding against future threats.

In a broader context, global companies are increasingly facing cyber threats. Recent data shows a 36% rise in reported cyber-attacks in the past year. This trend presents significant risks for businesses, particularly in the food and beverage industry where operations can be severely disrupted. Asahi’s incident highlights the necessity for stronger cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive customer data.

Social media reactions following the attack revealed public concern over personal data security and the reliability of major corporations in safeguarding consumer information. The digital landscape is shifting rapidly, and companies must adapt to these threats effectively to maintain trust and secure business continuity.

For more on cybersecurity trends and protection measures, you can refer to the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).



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