On Sunday morning, the Bridgestone factory in Joliette, which manufactures tires for all of North America, shut down. More than 1,400 employees were told they could not work. The cause: a cyberattack. This term is often heard in the news, but what does it actually mean? Why can such an important factory be paralyzed by a single click? And above all, what lessons should Quebec’s small and medium-sized businesses learn from this?
What is a cyberattack?
A cyberattack is a malicious action launched against a computer system to take control of it, block it, or steal information. These attacks can come from isolated hackers, criminal groups, or even foreign governments.
Some are aimed at extorting money, others at paralyzing operations or seizing sensitive data. For example, ransomware blocks access to your files and demands a ransom to release them. A denial-of-service attack floods a website with requests until it crashes. There is also information theft and phishing, where fraudulent emails attempt to trap an employee.
What happened at Bridgestone
On September 1, Bridgestone suspended all operations in Joliette, unable to maintain production. Although the company has not yet provided all the technical details, we know that its computer systems were seriously affected. As a precaution, everything was put on hold.
This is not the first time the manufacturer has been targeted. In 2022, a group called LockBit claimed responsibility for an attack on Bridgestone’s North American systems. This time, the exact origin of the attack remains unknown, but the consequences are very real for the people of Joliette.
One attack, human repercussions
This type of attack is not confined to computers. In Joliette, more than 1,400 people found themselves out of work overnight. Mayor Pierre-Luc Bellerose expressed his concern, citing nervous families, delayed wages, and bills to pay.
The company responded by offering $200 per day in assistance to affected employees. And if the shutdown continues, they will have access to unemployment insurance without a waiting period. But behind these solutions, there is a great deal of uncertainty and pressure weighing heavily on an entire community.
Why should SMEs be concerned?
One might think that only large companies like Bridgestone are targeted. However, SMEs are often the most vulnerable. Less well protected and less prepared, they are an easy target.
An attack can lead to a total interruption of operations, the loss of essential data, and sometimes even the permanent closure of the business. The impacts go far beyond the technical: reputation can be tarnished, customer confidence shaken, and insurance denied.
How to protect yourself effectively
Prevention remains the best defense. Training employees to spot suspicious emails, making backup copies, keeping systems up to date, and enabling two-factor authentication are simple but powerful steps. Many SMEs also choose to call on experts to audit their security, plug gaps, and establish realistic emergency plans.
The attack on Bridgestone is a wake-up call. It reminds us that cybersecurity is no longer a luxury or an option. It is a condition for economic survival. A cyberattack can strike anyone, at any time—and when it does, it affects much more than machines: it disrupts lives.
Quebec SMEs, now is not the time to turn a blind eye. Ask the right questions today. Put the right tools in place before it’s too late.
If this article resonates with your reality, know that the specialists at Mon Technicien can help you. Many SMEs in Quebec already rely on our expertise to protect their digital assets.
Source: Le Journal de Québec
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