Data breach confirmed by Ahold Delhaize, following a threat group asserting responsibility for a cyber-attack in November.
In a surprising turn of events, Ahold Delhaize, one of the world's largest food retail groups, confirmed a cyberattack on its U.S. operations in November 2023. The attack was attributed to the notorious ransomware group, Inc Ransom, which has been active since mid-2023 and is still considered an active threat actor.
Ann Dozier, who joined Ahold Delhaize as the chief information officer of its U.S. business on November 8, is now at the helm of the company's response to this cyber threat. Prior to joining Ahold Delhaize, Dozier served as SVP and chief information and technology officer at Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits.
Inc Ransom is known for its significant attacks, including the data breach at Ahold Delhaize's U.S. operations. The group has also been connected to attacks against food-related companies and a subsidiary of Xerox last year. They claimed to have up to 6 TB of sensitive data, although the specific details about their recent activities or demands are not widely reported.
The attack on Ahold Delhaize's U.S. operations had a ripple effect. Hannaford, one of Ahold Delhaize's banners, was forced to halt pickup and delivery orders for several days due to the cyberattack. However, Hannaford's physical stores remained open during the incident, accepting all major payment methods.
Ahold Delhaize is working with outside forensics experts to confirm what information was taken, and they have promised to disclose the affected information to individuals in accordance with legal obligations. Meanwhile, the company's e-commerce operations at the Hannaford banner were disrupted, and certain pharmacy and e-commerce operations elsewhere in the U.S. were also impacted.
The ransomware landscape is experiencing shifts, with emerging groups like DragonForce and NightSpire gaining prominence. Inc Ransom continues to be part of the active ransomware groups, although specific details about their current demands or recent attack targets are not readily available.
To stay informed about Inc Ransom's activities, it is advisable to monitor cybersecurity reports and threat intelligence platforms that provide detailed insights into ransomware groups. It is crucial for businesses to remain vigilant and proactive in protecting their systems from such threats.
Ann Dozier, as Ahold Delhaize's chief information officer, is leading the company's response to the data breach caused by the notorious ransomware group Inc Ransom. The privacy of financial and technology-related data is at stake for Ahold Delhaize, given Inc Ransom's history of significant attacks. In the wake of this cybersecurity threat, it is essential for businesses to stay informed about ransomware groups like Inc Ransom, and to continually reinforce their cybersecurity measures.
