Jaguar Land Rover Extends Factory Shutdown Following Cyber Attack

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has extended the shutdown of its UK factories until at least Wednesday, more than a week after a significant cyber attack crippled its operations.

The production halt, which began after the company detected the breach on August 31, affects its primary car plants in Halewood and Solihull, as well as its Wolverhampton engine facility, with knock-on effects for international sites in Slovakia, China, and India.

In an effort to contain the attack and protect its infrastructure, JLR made the critical decision to shut down its IT systems. While this was a necessary defensive measure, it caused major disruption, immediately halting all vehicle production.

Under normal operating conditions, JLR produces approximately 1,000 vehicles per day, meaning the stoppage has already resulted in a significant loss of output.

Global Production Grinds To A Halt

Production line staff have been instructed to remain at home as the company navigates the crisis. JLR stated it is working around the clock with third-party cybersecurity specialists and law enforcement to restore its networks in a controlled and secure manner.

The company, owned by India’s Tata Motors, has not officially commented on reports suggesting the disruption could extend for several more weeks.

The effects of the shutdown have rippled throughout JLR’s extensive supply chain. Some suppliers have reportedly been forced to tell their own staff not to come into work due to the pause in production orders.

Shaun Adams, who manages car parts supplier Qualplast, previously expressed concern that a lengthy shutdown would force his business to take drastic measures to “future-proof” its operations.

Beyond manufacturing, the attack initially left JLR dealerships unable to register new vehicles or order essential maintenance parts.

Although workarounds are now understood to be in place, the timing was particularly damaging, as the attack coincided with the release of new registration plates on September 1, a traditionally busy period for new car sales.

A group of young, English-speaking hackers has claimed responsibility for the attack on the messaging platform Telegram. This same group was reportedly behind a similar incident involving UK retailer M&S earlier this year.

Security experts told the BBC that, according to reviewed screenshots shared by the hackers, the criminals had gained access to sensitive company information.

It is understood that the group is attempting to extort money from the automotive giant. JLR has acknowledged awareness of the claims and confirmed that an investigation is underway.

The incident highlights the growing threat of financially motivated cyber attacks against major industrial targets.

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