Schlatter Industries suffers cyberattack, disrupting IT network and communications

Schlatter Industries, a leading Swiss manufacturer specializing in resistance welding systems and weaving machinery, announced that its IT network was compromised by a sophisticated malware attack on Friday, August 9, 2024. The company has since implemented security measures and notified relevant authorities as it works to determine the full extent of the breach.

In a statement on its website, Schlatter Industries described the cyberattack as a professional criminal assault aimed at extorting the company. The firm acknowledged that the attack has severely impacted its ability to communicate with customers, particularly through email. "We would like to inform you that we are currently…unable to receive emails," the company stated, adding that their team is working diligently to resolve the issue.

Founded in 1916, Schlatter Industries is known for engineering plants for resistance welding systems and manufacturing equipment for paper machine clothing, wire fabrics, and wire mesh. The company emphasized that resolving this incident and ensuring the safety of its IT systems are its top priorities.

The attack on Schlatter Industries is part of a broader trend of increasing cyber threats targeting the manufacturing sector. Earlier this year, PSI Software, a control systems provider, suffered a ransomware attack in February that completely shut down its IT operations, disrupting business activities for several weeks.

Mitsubishi Electric Machines also encountered a significant security flaw in February, posing a risk of attackers’ remote control. Similarly, in March, a threat group exploited vulnerabilities in Oracle E-Business Suite, a software widely used in the manufacturing industry, to steal data and potentially disrupt operations.