Farm machinery giant AGCO suffers a ransomware attack

US farm machinery giant AGCO has been hit by a ransomware attack, disrupting its operations at several production facilities. The attack comes during corn and soybean planting season when tractors and other farm equipment are in high demand, and agricultural machinery makers struggle to keep up with demands for new equipment.

 

According to a statement released on May 5, the attack will impact its operations “for several days and potentially longer,” depending upon how quickly the company can repair its systems. AGCO did not name the facilities affected or whether any data was stolen and said it was currently investigating the incident.

 

The company has given away little detail regarding the attack, including the attackers’ identity, the specific ransomware variant involved, systems affected, whether a ransom has been demanded, or the extent of its spread within the AGCO infrastructure.

 

The company, whose subsidiaries include GSI, an Assumption, Illinois, US-based manufacturer of commercial grain storage and handling equipment, said it would provide updates as the situation progresses.

 

Notably, a report from CrowdStrike in 2021 found that of the 160 computer hacking groups that the company tracks, 13 were identified as targeting the agriculture industry. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation reported that at least eight hacks of agriculture companies occurred in the United States in 2021. Last year saw another major ransomware attack against the US’ agricultural sector, with grain producer New Cooperative allegedly hit by a $5.9m ransom demand.