Booze Shortage Expected After Major Liquor Distributor Hit With a Ransomware Attack

A ransomware attack targeting a distributor with a monopoly in this country could lead to liquor supply shortages. (Photo: GDA via AP Images)

The Record reported on Wednesday that a ransomware attack on a Swedish liquor distribution company that has a monopoly in the country might lead to empty shelves at liquor stores by Friday.

The company that sustained the attack, Skanlog, claimed that it came from a group in North Korea. The company’s public relations representative, Teodor Almaqist, claimed specific beers, wines and spirits might disappear from the shelves of retailers for a little bit.

Cyber News reported that on Sunday, North Korean hackers encrypted Skanlog’s files, leading to disruptions within the company’s logistic system.

The hack knocked out the distribution company’s IT, and its warehouses couldn’t deliver goods to stores doing business with the company.

Sweden has a series of liquor stores called Systembolaget, which are owned by the state called. These stores are the only ones in Sweden that are authorized to sell beverages in the country with over 3.5% ABV. Skanlog does the majority of the business with the government-owned retailer chain.

Systembolaget issued a statement claiming the results from the hack might lower its sales volume by a quarter.

Though stories of cyber attacks within the liquor industry appear to be few and far between, news broke out in February that another major distributor and distiller named Halewood Artisanal Spirits faced a cyber attack that took place during the third quarter — October through December. This period is often critical for most distribution companies.

The 2022 attack in addition to the ongoing war in the Ukraine disrupted operations so much that Halewood ended up laying off over 500 people.

As for the incident in Sweden, Skanlog could not predict how quickly it could pick up the pieces from the ransomware attack, and those living in Sweden may want to start stockpiling booze.

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