A cyberattack has forced German napkin manufacturer Fasana into insolvency, compounding its financial difficulties and dealing a critical blow to its operations.
The attack, which occurred on May 19, shut down the company’s systems and disrupted over €250,000 worth of orders the following day. Based in Stotzheim, Germany, Fasana employs 240 people. In the wake of the attack, the company halted production and was unable to pay May salaries on time. Estimated losses reached €2 million within two weeks, prompting Fasana to seek a buyer after being acquired earlier in March.
The insolvency administrator, Maike Krebber, stated that the cyberattack rendered Fasana unable to print delivery notes, effectively bringing its operations to a standstill. "The attack caused significant damage, and its impact on the 240 employees could be severe," Krebber explained. An employee arriving at the facility on May 21 reportedly discovered extortion messages printed from the company’s machines.
Fasana fell victim to a ransomware attack believed to be carried out by a known cybercriminal group. The malware encrypted the company’s systems and locked access to critical files. While no group has claimed responsibility, the attackers were apparently financially motivated. The exact method used to breach the system remains unknown.
Local news outlet WDR reported that the perpetrators sent ransomware into Fasana's systems. The malware spread rapidly, locking data and demanding a ransom for decryption. According to the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, every printer in the factory began producing extortion notes during the incident.
Although operations have now resumed, including deliveries and invoicing, the future of the company remains uncertain. Fasana has eight weeks to secure a new buyer.
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