White House in contact with Russia after meat producer JBS hit with ransomware attack

The Biden administration said Tuesday that it had been notified of a ransomware attack targeting the meat processing company JBS.

The Biden administration said Tuesday that it had been notified of a ransomware attack targeting the meat processing company JBS, and has been in contact with Russia's government about the incident. "Meat producer JBS notified us on Sunday that they are the victims of a ransomware attack," White House principal deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters, adding that the firm "notified the administration that the ransom demand came from a criminal organization likely based in Russia." "The White House is engaging directly with the Russian government on this matter, and delivering the message that responsible states do not harbor ransomware criminals," Jean-Pierre said. The FBI is investigating the cyberattack and the White House has offered assistance to JBS, Jean-Pierre added, and the Department of Agriculture also has spoken to JBS leadership "several times in the last day."