What happened?
In October 2023, Verhelst Group, a construction company based in Oudenburg, was hit by a serious cyber attack. This attack took down a large part of their IT systems and resulted in the loss of important data, including photos that were essential to their business operations. Despite the scale of the attack, the company was able to return to about 90% operational capability after a few weeks thanks to the help of specialized IT teams.
How did it happen?
The attack likely involved a ransomware attack, in which hackers gained access to Verhelst's systems, encrypted data and possibly demanded a ransom. This type of attack can occur through security weaknesses or human error, such as phishing. Verhelst has not publicly shared specific details on exactly how the attackers got in, but their infrastructure did not appear to withstand the attack.
What was the impact for the company?
The attack had significant consequences for Verhelst. In addition to the loss of valuable company data, including old photos and memories of the long history of the family business, the operation of the company was severely disrupted for weeks. Despite the loss of data, cooperation with customers and suppliers remained intact, and the company was gradually able to return to full capacity.
How could this have been prevented?
Verhelst has learned valuable lessons from the attack:
- Quick communication with employees, customers and suppliers during and after the attack proved crucial to maintaining trust and keeping the operation going.
- Crisis management and delegating responsibilities ensured that the team fought the attack as one.
- Team spirit was strengthened by the concerted effort to get the company back on its feet.
Verhelst experienced the benefits of strong collaboration, but such attacks can be prevented by proactive cybersecurity measures, such as regular audits, strong backup systems and employee awareness training.