Risk of product shortages on the System after an IT attack

Several of Systembolaget’s products risk selling out before the weekend due to distribution problems.

According to Dagens Industri, the problems are based on a cyber attack against a subcontractor.

– About a quarter of our sales volume can be affected, which means that it can affect the availability of certain types of beer, certain types of wine, certain types of spirits, and so on, says Teodor Almqvist, press officer at Systembolaget, to Aftonbladet.

All beverage categories – at all stores in the country – are at risk of being affected by the problems. However, there is no risk that all goods will run out, according to Almqvist.

– At the moment, the total supply is not affected to any great extent, but it depends on when the distribution can start again. We don’t know that right now, he says.

The problems are based on a so-called ransomware attack that hit the logistics company Skanlog, which is a major supplier to Systembolaget. In such an attack, the victim’s files and computer systems are encrypted until a ransom is paid.

– We have been attacked centrally through a cyber attack, which has meant that our entire system is down until we get it fixed and can get back up, says Skanlog CEO Mona Zuko to Dagens Industri.

In an email to TT, Systembolaget writes that customers can find the current balance for their store on the company’s website, and that alternatives will be available.

“We maintain a close dialogue with the current distributor and also work with other players. We will routinely ensure that there are alternative goods available in store”.