High-End Appliances Maker Smeg Halts Production After Cyberattack

Smeg, the Italian multinational company known for its high-end home appliances, was hit by a cyberattack last Friday that disrupted its IT systems and brought production to a standstill. The firm’s headquarters in Guastalla, Reggio Emilia, proactively shut down the affected systems to mitigate potential damage, including the loss of sensitive data. While the company assures that the situation is “under control,” hundreds of employees were sent home as operations remain suspended.

The disruption reportedly affected critical systems managing production processes, logistics, human resources, and accounting functions. To address the threat and ensure a secure recovery, Smeg temporarily paused all activities while technical teams work on restoring full functionality. Investigations are ongoing to uncover the origins and nature of the attack.

In an internal statement retrieved by Italian media, Smeg outlined the situation:

“On September 27, 2024, an anomaly in network processes temporarily compromised the normal operations of the company's systems. As a precautionary measure, and to ensure a safe and effective restoration, activities were temporarily suspended until the systems' full functionality is restored. We assure that the situation is under control and that all necessary measures to protect the integrity of information have been promptly implemented. Technicians are actively working to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.” – Smeg

While no official public announcement has been made by Smeg, the company's proactive approach to halting operations indicates an effort to minimize damage and prevent any compromise of sensitive data. The extent to which these measures have been effective remains unknown.

This incident marks the second cyber-related issue Smeg has faced in recent years. Six years ago, the company was the target of a similar attack involving its new-generation appliances, which are operable through digital applications. That attack occurred in the UK, prompting an investigation by the UK's National Crime Agency. At that time, Smeg assured customers that no personal or financial data was leaked during the incident.

As one of Italy’s prominent manufacturers of high-end kitchen appliances, Smeg has a global presence and is known for its blend of style and technology. Such an attack potentially threatens both its business operations and brand reputation if customer data is found to have been compromised.

CyberInsider reached out to Smeg for a comment on the validity of the reports but did not receive a response yet.