Cyberattack Disrupts Russian Dairy Supply Chain
Sourse: dairynews.today
A cyberattack on Russia's digital animal certification system has led to significant disruptions in the dairy supply chain, forcing producers to revert to paper documentation.
Russian dairy producers have encountered severe supply disruptions following a cyberattack targeting the country’s Mercury platform, part of the Federal State Information System for Veterinary Surveillance (VetIS). The system, essential for certifying animal-based products, was rendered offline in the third and most severe cyberattack this year, according to local reports.
The outage compelled producers to revert to paper-based veterinary certificates, sparking logistical chaos. Several regional distribution centers refused goods, affecting major retailers like Lenta, Yandex Lavka, and Miratorg. Russian law mandates electronic documentation via Mercury for the handling of all animal products, crucial for verifying authenticity and safety. Without digital certificates, processors cannot legally accept raw milk.
In the interim, although paper certificates can be used, many retailers depend solely on electronic systems and have stopped accepting paper-based deliveries, creating a standstill in the supply chain. The dairy industry association, Soyuzmoloko, noted that some retailers are outright rejecting products without electronic documentation, further aggravated by unclear regulatory guidance.
The cyberattack has also interrupted data exchanges with other government platforms, affecting large-volume producers especially hard, as existing emergency procedures are not meant to handle prolonged outages. Restoration is underway and expected to last through the week.
Though no group has claimed responsibility, recent incidences suggest vulnerabilities in the sector, recalling a December ransomware attack on a major dairy plant in southern Siberia. The incident was speculated to be linked to political support for Russian military operations in Ukraine. No attribution has been made for this latest cyberattack.
The outage compelled producers to revert to paper-based veterinary certificates, sparking logistical chaos. Several regional distribution centers refused goods, affecting major retailers like Lenta, Yandex Lavka, and Miratorg. Russian law mandates electronic documentation via Mercury for the handling of all animal products, crucial for verifying authenticity and safety. Without digital certificates, processors cannot legally accept raw milk.
In the interim, although paper certificates can be used, many retailers depend solely on electronic systems and have stopped accepting paper-based deliveries, creating a standstill in the supply chain. The dairy industry association, Soyuzmoloko, noted that some retailers are outright rejecting products without electronic documentation, further aggravated by unclear regulatory guidance.
The cyberattack has also interrupted data exchanges with other government platforms, affecting large-volume producers especially hard, as existing emergency procedures are not meant to handle prolonged outages. Restoration is underway and expected to last through the week.
Though no group has claimed responsibility, recent incidences suggest vulnerabilities in the sector, recalling a December ransomware attack on a major dairy plant in southern Siberia. The incident was speculated to be linked to political support for Russian military operations in Ukraine. No attribution has been made for this latest cyberattack.
