Japanese beverage giant Asahi has disclosed the severe impact of a ransomware attack that struck its operations in September, potentially compromising the personal information of over 1.5 million customers. The cyber-attack, which targeted Asahi’s data centers, forced the company to revert to manual processes, significantly disrupting its production and distribution systems. Asahi confirmed that the personal details of individuals who interacted with its customer service centers were likely exposed, including names, genders, addresses, and contact information. Additionally, data belonging to approximately 107,000 current and former employees, along with 168,000 family members, were also potentially leaked. The attack, attributed to the ransomware group Qilin, encrypted Asahi’s data and demanded a ransom for its release. While credit card details were not compromised, the breach has raised significant concerns about data security. Asahi has delayed its full-year financial results to focus on mitigating the attack’s fallout and restoring its systems. The company has assured that its European operations, including brands like Peroni and Fuller’s Brewery, remain unaffected. Asahi’s president, Atsushi Katsuki, apologized for the disruptions and emphasized efforts to strengthen cybersecurity measures. The attack has also led to temporary shortages of Asahi products in Japan, where the company holds a 40% market share. This incident follows a series of high-profile cyber-attacks on global corporations, highlighting the growing threat of ransomware in the digital age.