In the wake of debilitating cyberattacks that halted operations for weeks, two major corporations—British luxury automaker Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and Japanese brewing giant Asahi—are cautiously resuming limited production, signaling a tentative recovery in an era where digital vulnerabilities increasingly threaten physical supply chains. According to a recent report from TechRadar, both companies have begun phased restarts, with JLR prioritizing its Wolverhampton engine plant and Asahi restoring select distribution centers after hackers disrupted their IT systems.

The incidents underscore the growing sophistication of cyber threats targeting manufacturing sectors. JLR’s shutdown began in early September, paralyzing factories across the U.K. and affecting global sales, while Asahi’s operations in Japan ground to a halt, leaving customer services offline and beer supplies strained.

Ripple Effects on Global Supply Chains

Industry analysts note that these attacks, suspected to involve ransomware, have cost JLR tens of millions in lost revenue, as detailed in a WIRED analysis, which highlighted how the breach forced suppliers to lay off workers and exacerbated a broader supply chain crisis. For Asahi, the disruption extended to its European operations, compounding issues for a company already navigating post-pandemic recovery.

Meanwhile, JLR’s extension of the outage into October, as reported by Reuters, has prompted the automaker to bail out affected suppliers with financial aid, ensuring the ecosystem’s stability amid a phased reboot.

The Path to Recovery and Lessons Learned

As JLR tests systems ahead of fuller production, sources like Forbes emphasize that the restart at facilities such as Halewood and Solihull will be gradual, focusing on high-value models like Range Rovers to minimize further losses. Asahi, per TechRadar‘s coverage, is similarly prioritizing secure reinstatement of brewing lines, with no confirmed ransom payments despite speculation.

These events join a string of high-profile breaches in Britain this year, as noted in a New York Times piece, affecting everything from grocery chains to automotive giants and highlighting systemic weaknesses in critical infrastructure.

Broader Implications for Cybersecurity in Manufacturing

Experts warn that without enhanced defenses, such as multi-factor authentication and AI-driven threat detection, similar incidents could become commonplace. JLR’s cyber incident, initially disclosed in a Guardian report, revealed no customer data breaches but exposed operational fragilities that halted manufacturing for nearly a month.

For Asahi, the attack’s timing amid global supply strains amplified its impact, forcing a reevaluation of vendor dependencies and cloud security protocols.

Industry-Wide Calls for Resilience

As both companies inch toward normalcy—JLR aiming for full operations by mid-October and Asahi restoring customer-facing services—insiders are pushing for regulatory reforms. A Sky News update indicates the shutdown’s extension into its sixth week has spurred discussions on mandatory cyber insurance for large manufacturers.

Ultimately, these restarts offer a blueprint for resilience, but they also serve as a stark reminder: in an interconnected world, a single digital breach can cascade into real-world economic turmoil, urging firms to fortify their defenses before the next inevitable assault.