| Recurring |
one_organization, multiple_organization |
(a) The software failure incident having happened again at one_organization:
The article reports that KP Snacks confirmed it had been hacked by ransomware in January, causing a shortage in the distribution of some of its products. This incident is a clear example of a software failure within the same organization [124421].
(b) The software failure incident having happened again at multiple_organization:
The article mentions that the infamous Conti gang of cyber hackers, who are thought to be behind the attack on KP Snacks, has previously penetrated the security of more than 400 organizations, including Government agencies in Scotland and the Irish Republic. This indicates that similar incidents have occurred at multiple organizations targeted by the Conti group [124421]. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
design, operation |
(a) The software failure incident at KP Snacks was primarily due to the design phase. The incident was caused by a ransomware attack that compromised the company's systems and led to the encryption of files, making it impossible to process orders or dispatch goods [124421]. This failure was a result of vulnerabilities in the system's design that allowed the ransomware to infiltrate and encrypt the data, impacting the company's operations.
(b) Additionally, the software failure incident at KP Snacks also had elements related to the operation phase. The ransomware attack disrupted the company's operations, leading to delays in processing orders and dispatching goods [124421]. The operation of the system was affected by the cyber-attack, causing significant disruptions to the company's day-to-day activities. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system, outside_system |
(a) within_system: The software failure incident at KP Snacks was due to contributing factors that originated from within the system. The firm confirmed it had been hacked by ransomware, leading to a compromise of their systems and data [124421]. The ransomware attack locked files and data on the company's computers, demanding payment for their release [124421]. KP Snacks' IT team and third-party experts were assessing the scale of the intrusion caused by the ransomware attack [124421]. The disruption caused by the cyber-attack led to delays in processing orders and dispatching goods, indicating an internal impact on the company's operations [124421].
(b) outside_system: The software failure incident at KP Snacks was also influenced by contributing factors that originated from outside the system. The ransomware attack was orchestrated by external cyber crooks who threatened to post private files stolen from the firm online if a ransom was not paid [124421]. The hackers shared examples of sensitive information they had stolen, such as credit card statements, birth certificates, home addresses, and phone numbers [124421]. The attack was attributed to the notorious Russian hacking gang Conti, indicating an external threat actor targeting the company's systems [124421]. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) |
non-human_actions, human_actions |
(a) The software failure incident at KP Snacks was primarily due to non-human actions, specifically a ransomware attack. Hackers infiltrated the company's systems and compromised them with ransomware, leading to the locking of files and data on the computers [124421].
(b) Human actions also played a role in the software failure incident at KP Snacks. The hackers demanded a ransom from the company, threatening to post private files stolen from the firm online if the payment was not made. Additionally, the company's response included engaging a leading forensic information technology firm and legal counsel to assist in the investigation [124421]. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
software |
(a) The software failure incident at KP Snacks was primarily due to a ransomware attack, which is a form of cyber attack that locks files and data on a user's computer [Article 124421]. This incident was caused by external factors such as hackers infiltrating the company's systems and compromising their data security.
(b) The software failure incident was also attributed to a cybersecurity breach involving ransomware, indicating a failure in the software's security measures [Article 124421]. The ransomware attack led to the compromise of KP Snacks' systems, causing disruptions in their operations and potentially leading to shortages in product distribution. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
malicious |
(a) The software failure incident at KP Snacks was malicious in nature, as it was caused by hackers who infiltrated the company's systems with the intent to harm by deploying ransomware. The hackers demanded payment from the company in exchange for not releasing sensitive data they had stolen [124421].
(b) The software failure incident was non-malicious in the sense that it was not caused by internal errors or system faults within KP Snacks' IT infrastructure. Instead, the failure was a result of external malicious actors exploiting vulnerabilities in the company's systems through a cyber attack [124421]. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
poor_decisions |
(a) The intent of the software failure incident:
- The software failure incident involving KP Snacks being hacked by ransomware was not due to accidental decisions but rather a deliberate act by cyber crooks who demanded ransom from the company. The hackers threatened to post private files stolen from the firm online if the ransom was not paid [Article 124421].
- The ransomware attack on KP Snacks was a result of deliberate actions by cyber criminals from the Conti hacking group, who demanded payment in exchange for releasing the locked files and data. This indicates that the intent behind the software failure incident was driven by poor decisions made by the hackers to engage in criminal activities [Article 124421]. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
unknown |
(a) The software failure incident occurring due to development incompetence:
- The software failure incident at KP Snacks was due to a ransomware attack, indicating a security breach that compromised the company's systems [124421].
- The incident involved hackers demanding ransom and threatening to post private files stolen from the firm online, leading to potential data exposure and operational disruptions [124421].
- KP Snacks confirmed being hacked by ransomware, causing a shortage in the distribution of their products and impacting their ability to process orders or dispatch goods [124421].
(b) The software failure incident occurring accidentally:
- The software failure incident at KP Snacks was not accidental but a deliberate cyber attack orchestrated by hackers who infiltrated the company's systems and demanded ransom [124421].
- The incident involved malicious actors exploiting vulnerabilities in the company's IT infrastructure, indicating a deliberate and targeted attack rather than an accidental failure [124421]. |
| Duration |
temporary |
(a) The software failure incident at KP Snacks can be considered temporary as it was caused by a cyber-attack involving ransomware. The incident led to a compromise of the company's systems, making it unable to safely process orders or dispatch goods. The disruption was significant enough to impact the company's operations, leading to delays in distribution of products and potential shortages. The incident was actively being investigated and worked on by the company's IT team and third-party experts to resolve the issue, indicating that it was not a permanent failure [124421]. |
| Behaviour |
crash, omission, other |
(a) crash: The software failure incident in the article is related to a ransomware attack on KP Snacks, which led to a system crash. The incident caused the company's systems to be compromised by ransomware, resulting in the inability to safely process orders or dispatch goods. The system lost its functionality due to the attack, leading to disruptions in operations [Article 124421].
(b) omission: The ransomware attack on KP Snacks resulted in a failure of the system to perform its intended functions, specifically in processing orders and dispatching goods. The company had to inform its customers and suppliers that it could not safely process orders or dispatch goods due to the cyber-attack, indicating an omission in the system's functionality [Article 124421].
(c) timing: The timing of the software failure incident is not explicitly mentioned in the articles provided.
(d) value: The software failure incident did not involve the system performing its intended functions incorrectly. Instead, the failure was primarily due to the system being compromised by ransomware, leading to a loss of functionality [Article 124421].
(e) byzantine: The software failure incident did not exhibit behaviors of the system behaving erroneously with inconsistent responses and interactions. The primary issue was the system being compromised by ransomware, resulting in disruptions and the inability to process orders or dispatch goods [Article 124421].
(f) other: The software failure incident also led to a situation where hackers threatened to post private files stolen from the company online if a ransom was not paid. This behavior of extortion and data exposure is another aspect of the software failure incident that is not covered by the options provided [Article 124421]. |