Starbucks has been hit by a ransomware attack that has caused a disruption in the third-party software system used to manage baristas’ schedules. As a result, the coffee chain has had to switch to manual mode to ensure that its employees are paid correctly, according to a Starbucks spokesperson.
Store leaders at Starbucks have been providing guidance to employees on how to navigate the outage manually, and the company has assured that everyone will be compensated for all hours worked. This incident is part of a larger hack on Blue Yonder, an Arizona-based cloud services provider that caters to grocery stores and Fortune 500 companies.
The impact of the Blue Yonder hack is not limited to Starbucks, as two of the top four grocery chains in the UK have also been affected. Automaker Ford is currently investigating any potential consequences of the cyber incident at a third-party supplier on its operations and systems.
Blue Yonder, the cloud services provider, has not disclosed which of its clients were impacted by the hack. The company is working diligently to address the situation and has enlisted the help of cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike to recover from the attack.
Ransomware attacks are a significant threat to organizations worldwide, with cybercriminals extorting a record $1.1 billion in ransom payments in 2023. Despite efforts by the US government to disrupt their financial operations, hackers continue to target companies, especially during peak shopping seasons like the holidays.
The disruption caused by the ransomware attack adds to the challenges faced by Starbucks’ new CEO, Brian Niccol, who is already dealing with declining sales over three consecutive quarters. As the company navigates this incident, it highlights the importance of cybersecurity measures and the need for businesses to be vigilant in protecting their systems from cyber threats.
