In September 2024, Kawasaki Europe was the target of a large-scale attack perpetrated by the RansomHub ransomware group. This cybercriminal collective, well known for its sophisticated attacks, claimed responsibility for this cyberattack by threatening to release sensitive data stolen from the company if a ransom was not paid. This attack illustrates a growing trend among cybercriminals to target high-profile companies, taking advantage of security flaws to compromise sensitive data.
RansomHub appeared on the ransomware scene in February 2024. RansomHub has already claimed more than 250 attacks and is emerging as a major player on the cybercrime scene, ranking third in 2024 (according to Synetis). The group operates on a Ransomware-as-a-service(RaaS) model. Their strategy is based on double extortion: in addition to encrypting data, they threaten to disclose stolen information if the ransom is not paid.
The business sectors targeted by RansomHub are both numerous and highly varied. Recent successes include an attack on the renowned auction house Christie’s in May 2024. The latest attack on Kawasaki marks yet another milestone in cyberattacks in Europe. These events are taking place against a backdrop of increasingly professional cybercrime.
Chronology of events: the attack and Kawasaki’s initial response
In early September 2024, Kawasaki Motors Europe (KME) discovered an infiltration of its IT systems and announced that it had been the target of a cyber attack. The company said it was conducting an in-depth investigation to assess the scope of the data leak. Internal security teams and external cybersecurity experts have been mobilized to contain the threat, assess compromised systems and restore critical operations. Kawasaki clarified that all business operations, including dealerships, third-party suppliers and logistics operations, had not been affected by the incident.
Almost simultaneously, and while Kawasaki had not specified what type of cyberattack had hit it, RansomHub claimed responsibility for the attack, adding the company to its dark web extortion portal. The cybercriminals then claimed to hold 487 GB of data from Kawasaki’s networks. The threat is explicit: if the ransom is not paid, the stolen data will be published on the Internet, exposing the company to significant financial and reputational risks. The tight deadline given to Kawasaki to comply with the hacker group’s demands increases the pressure on the company to react quickly. Over the weekend, following the failure of the extortion attempt, RansomHub carried out its threat… and the data was published!
Impact on Kawasaki’s infrastructure
According to information gathered by Hackread, the files stolen by RansomHub include sensitive Kawasaki documents, including financial information, bank records, dealer details, as well as internal communications. Among the files leaked are directories entitled “Dealer Lists”, “Financing Kawasaki”, “COVID” and “Trading Terms”. These files contain critical business information for the company, with recent dates up to early September 2024.
This data leak exposes Kawasaki to significant risks, including consequences for its commercial relations and public image. Sensitive financial information and internal communications could also compromise its long-term business strategies. Unauthorized access to these files places the company in a particularly uncomfortable position vis-à-vis its business partners and customers. They could lose confidence in Kawasaki’s ability to protect their information…
Despite this intrusion, Kawasaki’s commercial operations have not been directly affected. Distribution networks, third-party suppliers and logistics processes remained functional.
However, the publication of the data could have longer-term repercussions, particularly if the information is exploited by competitors or sold to other malicious actors on the dark web.
Crisis management and measures taken by Kawasaki Europe
After the intrusion was discovered in early September 2024, Kawasaki Motors Europe (KME) reacted quickly, hiring internal security teams and external cybersecurity experts to assess the extent of the incident and secure the compromised systems. The company also put measures in place to restore critical operations and contain the data leak.
Their first priority was to contain the threat and minimize potential losses, while ensuring rapid resumption of operations. Although Kawasaki stated that its business operations, including dealerships and third-party suppliers, were not directly affected by the attack, the threat posed by the disclosure of sensitive data forced the company to react with speed and transparency.
The RansomHub group, for its part, was quick to add Kawasaki to its extortion portal on the dark web, where it published part of the 487 GB of data it claims to have exfiltrated. RansomHub gave Kawasaki a strict deadline to pay the ransom, threatening to publish the entire data if it failed to comply. However, despite this threat, the company failed to pay the ransom, leading to the public disclosure of some of the data.
Faced with this situation, Kawasaki intensified its efforts to protect its systems and prevent further attacks. The company also focused on open communication with its business partners and customers to limit the reputational impact of the incident. The major challenge for Kawasaki now remains to contain the repercussions of this data leak, particularly in terms of protecting the critical information disclosed, which could have long-term consequences for its business operations and competitiveness in the market.
Analysis and recommendations: how to prevent future attacks?
Kawasaki’s handling of the attack points to a number of critical points for improving the cybersecurity of large companies in the face of ransomware. To avoid such attacks in the future, it is imperative that companies adopt proactive intrusion detection and monitoring strategies. Early intrusion detection systems, combined with continuous network monitoring, can quickly identify suspicious behavior before it leads to mass compromise. Regular audits of IT infrastructures ensure that existing protections are up to date and in line with the latest standards.
The use of encryption solutions for sensitive data also helps limit the impact of a potential leak, by rendering stolen information unusable by attackers. Employee awareness is also essential. Many cyber-attacks exploit human error, particularly through phishing. Training teams to identify and report phishing attempts can be an effective barrier against ransomware attacks. The Kawasaki Europe example shows that even the largest companies are not immune to cybercriminals, and the need to reinforce security protocols.
This attack illustrates the importance of rapid response and transparency vis-à-vis stakeholders. Setting up a dedicated cyber-crisis management team, capable of rapidly assessing the scale of the intrusion and communicating effectively, is crucial to limiting the damage. Crisis management preparedness is more essential than ever. Kawasaki demonstrated a certain resilience in its response to the attack. A well-prepared crisis communication strategy, disaster recovery plans and collaboration with the relevant authorities can greatly mitigate the consequences of a cyber attack.
A good solution: don’t pay the ransom and restore your data
Finally, Kawasaki’s failure to pay the ransom raises questions about the most effective way to respond to ransomware cyberattacks. While giving in to criminals’ demands may sometimes seem the simplest solution to protect data, it often encourages further attacks. A response based on resilience, prevention and deterrence is the best long-term strategy.
Also according to Hackread, Jason Soroko, Research Manager at Sectigo put it this way: “The official statement from Kawasaki Motors Europe said the company could take the risk of losing its data rather than pay the ransom, but the RansomHub group published 487 GB of allegedly stolen data. This suggests, but does not prove, that Kawasaki chose not to negotiate with the attackers, prioritizing system restoration and data cleanup.”
He also pointed out that Kawasaki’s attitude in this cyberattack could serve as a model for other companies. Rather than negotiating with cybercriminals, companies should focus on recovering their operations and strengthening their security systems against future attacks.
Instead of paying a ransom, follow Kawasaki’s example and opt for a sustainable solution. SOS Ransomware provides you with experts capable of recovering your data after an attack, enabling you to get back to business without feeding the cybercriminals…
