Asahi Resumes Beer Production After Cyberattack
- Japan’s Asahi Breweries restarts operations at six plants following a system outage caused by a cyberattack, with shipments gradually returning.
Asahi Breweries has resumed beer production at its six facilities in Japan after a cyberattack forced a temporary shutdown of core operations. The incident, which occurred a week prior, disrupted order processing, shipping logistics, and customer service functions across the country. Production officially restarted on October 2, though the company has not confirmed when full capacity will be restored. In the meantime, shipments of its flagship Super Dry beer have resumed, with additional products expected to follow by mid-October.
Operational Impact and Recovery Timeline
The cyberattack caused a system-wide outage that affected multiple business units within the Asahi Group. Essential services such as call centers and distribution channels were temporarily suspended, leading to supply shortages in restaurants, bars, and retail outlets. Asahi Breweries issued a statement confirming the restart of production but did not provide details on the extent of the damage or the recovery process. Plans are in place to resume shipments of over a dozen beverage products by October 15.
While the company has taken steps to restore operations, the disruption highlights the vulnerability of manufacturing and logistics systems to cyber threats. The incident adds to a growing list of ransomware and cyberattacks targeting global firms. Similar breaches have recently affected companies such as Jaguar Land Rover, underscoring the need for robust cybersecurity measures. Asahi has not disclosed whether customer data was compromised during the attack.
Market Effects and Supply Chain Disruption
The temporary halt in production led to noticeable shortages of Asahi beverages across Japan. Retailers and hospitality venues reported limited availability of popular products, including the widely consumed Super Dry beer. Although shipments have resumed, it may take time for inventory levels to normalize across distribution networks. The company’s ability to recover quickly will be closely watched by industry analysts and supply chain partners.
Cyberattacks on food and beverage companies can have ripple effects beyond immediate production delays. Disruptions in logistics and inventory management often impact downstream suppliers and retailers. Asahi’s experience may prompt other firms in the sector to reassess their digital infrastructure and incident response strategies. The broader implications for consumer access and brand reliability remain a concern.
Cybersecurity in the Beverage Industry
Cyberattacks targeting beverage companies are becoming more frequent, with attackers exploiting outdated systems and limited IT oversight. In 2021, Molson Coors experienced a similar breach that disrupted brewing operations across North America. Experts warn that as production becomes more digitized, the risk of cyber intrusion increases. Companies are now investing in real-time monitoring and segmented networks to reduce exposure and improve resilience.
