Bridgestone Cyberattack Disrupts Operations Despite Early Containment

Bridgestone Tires confirmed that it is investigating a cyberattack that temporarily disrupted operations at several North American manufacturing facilities.

Anna Ribeiro reports in Industrial Cyber that the incident was contained in its early stages, allowing production to resume and preventing customer data from being compromised.

A comprehensive forensic review is currently underway. Bridgestone says it is prioritizing business continuity and supply chain stability.

The company has not disclosed details regarding the nature of the cyberattack or the actors responsible. Reports suggest facilities in South Carolina and Quebec were affected, and speculation persists that ransomware may have been involved. Bridgestone has not confirmed this.

No group had claimed responsibility at the time of the report. The incident follows a 2022 attack by the LockBit ransomware gang that targeted Bridgestone Americas.

Industry analysts note that ransomware incidents in the manufacturing sector have increased sharply, reflecting attackers’ focus on disrupting production systems that are costly to shut down and restart.

Independent experts note that even precautionary shutdowns can significantly impact operations, and manufacturing lines require complex restarts once they are cleared for use.

Analysts also emphasize that ransomware frequently spreads through social engineering vectors, such as phishing, despite years of employee training and risk management efforts.

Consumer privacy advocates warn that although Bridgestone reported no evidence of data theft, employees and customers should remain cautious about phishing attempts and fraudulent account activity.

Legal teams can view the repercussions of this attack as a demonstration of the litigation and regulatory risks of industrial cyber incidents. Bridgestone and all manufacturers face not only operational losses but also potential liability for disrupted supply chains, contractual nonperformance, and failure to safeguard employee or customer information.

Ongoing investigations may further shape compliance obligations and litigation exposure.