Malware
Vans and North Face’s Parent Company VF Corp Suffers Devastating Ransomware Attack
VF Corporation, the parent company of popular brands Vans and North Face, has been targeted by a ransomware attack. The incident affected customer service operations and online ordering systems, forcing the company to temporarily halt some orders. The VF Corporation is actively working to mitigate the cyber threat and restore normal operations.
Imagine gearing up for the holiday shopping season and suddenly, your favorite brands like Supreme, Vans, Timberland, and The North Face face significant operational disruptions. That’s precisely what happened to American global apparel and footwear giant VF Corporation, which owns these popular brands and more.
A Cybersecurity Nightmare for VF Corporation
VF Corporation, a Colorado-based apparel firm, owns 13 globally recognized brands, employs 35,000 people, and has an annual revenue of $11.6 billion. On December 13, 2023, the company experienced a cyberattack that shook its very foundation. They reported the incident in a Form 8-K disclosure filed with the U.S. SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission).
The company detected unauthorized access on its network and took immediate measures by shutting down some of its systems and bringing in external experts to help contain the attack. Unfortunately, the threat actors managed to encrypt some of the company’s computers and steal personal data.
VF Corporation warned of the significant disruption to its business operations caused by the cyberattack. It is still unclear whether the stolen data affects only employees, suppliers, resellers, partners, or customers. No ransomware groups have claimed responsibility for the incident at the time of writing.
Long-lasting Impact on the Business
The cyberattack’s impact on VF Corporation’s operations is expected to be significant and long-lasting. The company is working tirelessly to bring the impacted portions of its IT systems back online and implement workarounds for certain offline operations. Their goal is to reduce disruption to their ability to serve their retail and brand e-commerce consumers and wholesale customers.
According to the SEC filing, the incident has had and is “reasonably likely to continue to have a material impact on the company’s business operations until recovery efforts are completed.”
VF Corp assures that its physical retail stores will operate normally worldwide. However, customers may experience delays in the fulfillment of online orders or an inability to place orders on some of the affected brands’ e-commerce sites.
The company is still assessing the full extent of the security breach and its potential impact on financials and operations. The timing of the incident during the Christmas shopping season only worsens the situation.
A Call to Arms: Protect Your Business and Customers
This cyberattack on VF Corporation is a stark reminder of the importance of robust cybersecurity measures for businesses of all sizes. The consequences can be severe, and the long-lasting impact on trust and reputation can be even harder to recover from.
As an IT Services company, we understand the complexities of cybersecurity and the need to stay ahead of emerging threats. Don’t wait until it’s too late to protect your business and customers. Contact us today to discuss your cybersecurity needs and let us help you safeguard your digital assets. And don’t forget to keep coming back to learn more about the ever-changing landscape of cybersecurity.