Cyberattack on JM Heaford Limited: A Closer Look
Incident Date:
April 9, 2024
Overview
Title
Cyberattack on JM Heaford Limited: A Closer Look
Victim
JM Heaford
Attacker
Black Suit
Location
First Reported
April 9, 2024
Ransomware Incident at JM Heaford Limited
Company Profile
JM Heaford Limited, a privately held firm established in 1982, operates within the Manufacturing sector. Situated in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, UK, the company specializes in producing bespoke machinery for the converting and flexographic printing industries. Renowned for its high-quality mounting and proofing machines, JM Heaford aims to optimize prepress efficiency and productivity in the flexo and gravure sectors. With a global footprint and representatives in over 100 nations, the company has garnered international acclaim for its design and manufacturing prowess.
Business Size and Financial Details
Employing between 10 to 50 individuals, JM Heaford Limited falls within the small to medium-sized enterprise category. Although precise financial figures are undisclosed, the company's turnover is estimated to range from £2 to £10 million, indicating its status as a small to medium-sized enterprise.
Vulnerabilities and Targeting
BlackSuit, a ransomware collective notorious for targeting diverse industries, including manufacturing, poses a substantial threat to entities like JM Heaford Limited. Engaging in multifaceted extortion schemes, the group encrypts and extracts victim data before hosting public data leak sites to enforce compliance. Operational since early 2023, BlackSuit indiscriminately targets both large corporations and SMBs.
Given JM Heaford's global reach and involvement in the manufacturing sector, the company's valuable intellectual property and sensitive data render it an attractive target for threat actors such as BlackSuit. The ransomware group's utilization of legitimate software and open-source tools during attacks further amplifies the risk to organizations like JM Heaford Limited.
Summary of Ransomware Incident
In April 2024 the company fell victim to a cyberattack orchestrated by a cybercriminal known as Black Suit. The attack utilized ransomware and was claimed as such by the nefarious group. Approximately 28.3 GB of data was stolen during the breach, which was subsequently fully disclosed or leaked.
Sources:
Recent Ransomware Attacks
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