Alcohol supplies in Sweden were disrupted due to a cyberattack on Systembolaget, the country’s exclusive retailer authorized to sell alcoholic beverages over 3.5%. The attack targeted the Skanlog system, responsible for logistics of a quarter of Systembolaget’s products, leading to potential shortages in stores across Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland.
Skanlog attributed the attack to hackers from North Korea using the Lockbit 3.0 Mounting Program, affecting Microsoft software and the Dynaman warehouse management system. Systembolaget’s spokesperson raised concerns about potential shortages of certain beer, wine, spirits, and paper bags, but assured consumers that while some brands might temporarily vanish from shelves, alcohol products would not entirely disappear.
There is uncertainty around when Skanlog can fully restore operations. Systembolaget has contingency plans in place to manage delivery issues and is collaborating with alternative distributors to mitigate disruptions for consumers.