Tire manufacturer launches a comprehensive investigation after a limited cyber incident affects operations at multiple plants.
Bridgestone Americas has confirmed that a cyberattack has impacted manufacturing facilities across North America, including two plants in Aiken County, South Carolina.
The tire manufacturing giant disclosed the cyber incident on Thursday, stating that it has launched a comprehensive forensic analysis and believes it successfully contained the breach in its early stages.
The company reported that despite the cyber incident, business operations are continuing normally across its facilities. However, the attack appears to have affected all Bridgestone factories in North America, according to Joliette Mayor Pierre-Luc Bellerose, who was contacted by company executives when local officials were alerted to the situation.
Bridgestone Confirms Cyberattack
In Joliette alone, an estimated 1,400 employees have been impacted by the cyber incident. The mayor confirmed that an internal memo was distributed to employees regarding the situation, though he emphasized the company’s assurances about data security.
“No information has been compromised, either for employees or customers,” Mayor Bellerose stated. “I don’t have any more details now, but I’ve been reassured on that front.”
Bridgestone has implemented contingency measures to minimize disruption to its workforce during the incident response.
Employees whose normal work activities were impacted by the cyberattack were presented with two options: remain at work to perform preventive maintenance tasks while receiving full pay, or take the day off without compensation.
The company has been emphatic in its communications that customer data remains secure. In a written statement to local media, Bridgestone Americas reiterated its belief that customer information was not affected by the attack, though the investigation continues.
“We are continuing our investigation into this cyber incident,” the company stated. “However, we believe at this point that our customer data was not affected by the attack.”
This latest cyber incident marks the second significant cybersecurity challenge for Bridgestone in recent years. The company experienced a large-scale cyberattack in 2022, raising questions about the ongoing cybersecurity threats facing major industrial manufacturers.
The exact nature of the current cyber incident and the timeline for full recovery remain unclear. Company officials are still working to determine the complete scope and impact of the attack on their operations.
Mayor Bellerose indicated that local authorities are prepared to provide assistance if the situation persists. “The city will see how it can help if the situation continues, whether through organizations or support programs,” he said.
Bridgestone’s quick response and apparent early containment of the incident demonstrate the importance of robust cybersecurity protocols in the manufacturing sector.
The company’s ability to maintain normal business operations while conducting its investigation suggests that its incident response procedures may have helped limit the attack’s impact.
The investigation into the cyber incident continues as Bridgestone works to ensure the security of its systems and the protection of employee and customer data.
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