Manufacturers of products often are not prepared for, or aware that cybersecurity incidents can disrupt production and distribution of product. A recent filing by Molson-Coors Beverage Company illustrates that manufacturers face similar cybersecurity risks as other industries.
On March 11, 2020, Molson-Coors filed a Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission stating that:
Molson Coors Beverage Company (the “Company”) announced that it experienced a systems outage that was caused by a cybersecurity incident. The Company has engaged leading forensic information technology firms and legal counsel to assist the Company’s investigation into the incident and the Company is working around the clock to get its systems back up as quickly as possible.
Although the Company is actively managing this cybersecurity incident, it has caused and may continue to cause a delay or disruption to parts of the Company’s business, including its brewery operations, production, and shipments. In addition to the other information set forth in this report, one should carefully consider the discussion on the risks and uncertainties that cybersecurity incidents and operational disruptions to key facilities may have on the Company, its business and financial results contained in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in its 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on February 11, 2021.
Manufacturing businesses may wish to consider prioritizing cybersecurity readiness in their processes, including backup plans, contingent operations plans, and disaster recovery plans.