Attack Disrupts Tire Production Facilities
Bridgestone, the world’s largest tire manufacturer, has confirmed it is investigating a possible cyberattack that disrupted its operations in North America. The company said the attack affected some of its manufacturing facilities in the United States and Canada.
US media reported that the attack impacted two factories in South Carolina, while Canadian media noted disruptions at a plant in Quebec. This caused temporary stoppages in tire production, though the company has not disclosed how long the downtime lasted.
Despite the operational disruption, Bridgestone stated that no customer data or internal systems appear to have been stolen. The firm said its response team acted quickly to contain the problem, ensuring that the attack did not spread further inside its network.
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Bridgestone’s North American unit, Bridgestone Americas, confirmed that it is treating the event as a “limited” cyber incident. The company’s forensic experts are still analyzing what happened but expressed confidence that they managed to contain the attack before it escalated.
So far, no hacker group has claimed responsibility. However, recent weeks have seen increased activity from cybercrime groups targeting big manufacturing companies. One of the most visible groups, known as Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters, has taken credit for other attacks on well-known global firms.
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This group is believed to have formed when three separate cybercriminal collectives joined forces. According to their past claims, they have stolen sensitive data from major organizations and attempted to extort money in return. Media reports noted their involvement in breaches at companies in the automotive, retail, and technology sectors. Still, there is no confirmed link between this latest incident at Bridgestone and those earlier cases.
Bridgestone emphasized that it continues to follow its established cybersecurity protocols to investigate the attack. The company reassured stakeholders that customer information and external systems remain secure, with no sign of unauthorized access or leaks.
Bridgestone’s Scale Highlights the Risk
Bridgestone is a Japanese multinational that operates in over 150 countries. The company runs 50 production plants worldwide and employs about 55,000 people. It is the largest tire producer by volume and also manufactures a wide range of other products, including rubber items, bicycles, golf equipment, and construction materials.
In 2024, Bridgestone reported more than $12 billion in sales and an operating profit of $1.2 billion. Its vast global footprint and role in the supply chain make it a significant target for cybercriminals looking to cause disruption or steal valuable information.
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Cyberattacks on manufacturing companies can cause delays, reduce output, and put pressure on supply chains. This is especially true in industries such as automotive and construction, where tires and rubber products play a crucial role. While Bridgestone insists that no data was stolen, the fact that its facilities were forced to stop work underlines the seriousness of the threat.
At this stage, Bridgestone is continuing its investigation into the incident. No one has confirmed who carried out the attack. Questions remain about how the hackers got in and what they wanted. For now, the company said its safety steps limited the damage. It also said it does not believe customers will be affected.
