Japanese Water Treatment company Subsidiary 0f U.S. Hit By Ransomware Attack

A subsidiary of Japanese water treatment company Kurita Water Industries Ltd., Kurita America Inc. (KAI), located in Minnesota, USA, has fallen victim to a ransomware attack.

The Tokyo-based parent company, led by President Hirohiko Ejiri, apologized to customers and business partners for the disruption and potential data breach.

The incident, confirmed on November 29, 2024, resulted in multiple servers being encrypted by unauthorized access.

Details of the Attack

The ransomware attack was first detected on a Friday afternoon when KAI’s security monitoring system raised an alert at approximately 3 p.m.

Upon immediate investigation with the assistance of external cybersecurity experts, it was confirmed that several servers had been compromised and encrypted.

The affected servers were promptly disconnected from the network to limit further damage.

While the exact data impacted remains under review, preliminary findings suggest that sensitive information involving customers, business partners, and employees may have been exposed.

The company has not disclosed the extent of the data breach or whether any ransom demands were made.

Restoration Efforts and Future Measures

The company confirmed that the main servers have been restored successfully, ensuring business operations remain undisrupted.

An in-depth investigation into the root cause of the attack is ongoing, with Kurita America working closely with cybersecurity experts to mitigate potential risks and prevent further damage.

Kurita Water Industries has pledged to enhance its cybersecurity framework across the entire group to prevent future incidents.

In its statement, the company also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting stakeholder information and reinforcing its defenses against evolving cyber threats.

Impact and Apology

Kurita Water Industries has apologized for the significant concern and inconvenience caused by the breach, emphasizing its dedication to resolving the issue swiftly.

While the attack raises questions about information security in its North American operations, the company is focused on addressing vulnerabilities and ensuring the safety of its systems.

Incidents like this underscore the growing threat of ransomware attacks on businesses globally.

As Kurita America works to address the aftermath, the company’s response will likely serve as a crucial test of its resilience and approach to cybersecurity.

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