In a dramatic turn of events, the negotiations between hacker collective LockBit and dairy company Crystal Creamery fell apart after the ransomware group accused the negotiator of “obstructing the deal.”
According to reports, on February 3, Crystal Creamery fell victim to a cyberattack by the LockBit ransomware group. The data breach impacted the company’s system with the hackers claiming to steal multiple files and folders, including confidential documents such as insurance and other sensitive data.
Following the incident, LockBit demanded a ransom amount from the US-based dairy firm. March 7, 2023 is the deadline shared by the hacker collective.
The Cyber Express team has contacted Crystal Creamery regarding the incident but is yet to receive a response from them.
Crystal Creamery data breach explained
As reports suggest, Crystal Creamery hired a negotiator to engage with LockBit and help recover their stolen data. However, things went south when the hacker group accused the negotiator of lying to them and “obstructing the deal.”
The ransomware gang also called out Crystal Creamery for providing incorrect insurance documents. In a post shared by LockBit, the ransomware gang shared the links to the insurance documents, and demanded a better negotiator.
“Change the negotiator. He’s obstructing the deal and denying the facts and the obvious obvious. And doesn’t want to use valid insurance! Here are scans of insurance documents from the network of companies,” read the message by LockBit as the group shared links to the documents.
In ransomware attacks, it is essential to be honest, and transparent with the hackers, as any attempts to deceive or mislead them can lead to disastrous consequences.
In this case, the hackers accused the negotiator of obstructing the deal, which could lead to a breakdown in negotiations and a higher ransom amount being demanded.
Furthermore, the hackers already have access to confidential documents and other sensitive data, which could be used to harm the organization if not recovered promptly.
As organizations continue to face cybersecurity threats, it is vital to invest in adequate security measures to prevent attacks from happening in the first place. However, in case of a data breach news or cyber-attack, it is crucial to engage the services of experienced negotiators and remain transparent and honest throughout the negotiations.
In conclusion, the alleged hack of Crystal Creamery by LockBit and the subsequent accusations of lies by the negotiator serves as a reminder of the importance of cybersecurity and transparency in negotiations with hackers.
In these types of attacks, organizations must maintain a state of constant vigilance and implement all required measures to safeguard their confidential data. In addition, seeking the assistance of skilled negotiators is crucial when confronting a ransomware attack.