An attack that halts global production
At the end of August 2025, the company discovered an intrusion into its IT systems.
Given the seriousness of the situation, it decided to voluntarily shut down its systems to contain the attack.
Immediate consequences:
- production halted in several countries
- vehicle design disrupted
- parts flow blocked
- sales and logistics disorganised
The affected systems included critical functions ranging from automotive design to manufacturing and distribution processes.
Production was halted at several international plants, with thousands of employees sent home.
Massive industrial impacts
The prolonged shutdown of operations had a knock–on effect on the entire industrial ecosystem.
Production et supply chain
The shutdown affected several production sites and disrupted the entire industrial ecosystem.
In concrete terms:
- approximately 1,000 vehicles not produced per day
- suppliers unable to operate normally
- disruptions at distributors and garages
- economic risks for thousands of partner companies
Some companies in the supply chain even had to suspend their activities due to lack of access to their usual IT systems.
A major economic impact
Over a three month period, the company recorded losses of nearly £485 million before tax, ending several years of profitability.
The production stoppage also resulted in:
- significantly reduced manufacturing volumes for several weeks
- accumulated delivery delays in international markets
- significant costs related to crisis management and system restoration
- economic disruption for many suppliers
Beyond the company itself, the incident affected a large industrial network dependent on its activity.
Industrial systems that are heavily dependent on digital technology
This case illustrates a structural reality of modern industry: factories have become interconnected cyber-physical systems.
When IT systems are compromised:
- production stops
- logistics collapse
- the supply chain grinds to a halt
- business continuity disappears
In other words, cybersecurity is no longer an IT issue. It is a matter of industrial continuity.
What this cyberattack reveals for the industry
This event is a textbook case for manufacturers.
- Production now depends on IT: Industrial digitalisation (MES, ERP, digital twin, automation) makes operations vulnerable to cyber incidents.
- The impact extends far beyond the company: suppliers, distributors, financial partners… the entire value chain is exposed.
- Recovery time is critical: even after the attack has been neutralised, getting industrial systems back up and running is a long and complex process.
- Cybersecurity is a component of operational resilience: it must be integrated into the overall industrial strategy, just like maintenance or quality.
A concrete illustration of cyber risk in Industry 4.0
The cyberattack suffered by Jaguar Land Rover illustrates a structural evolution in industrial risk. In a digitalised production environment, cybersecurity directly affects business continuity.
Three key lessons emerge:
- industrial digitalisation increases exposure to cyber threats
- a cyberattack can cause a physical shutdown of production
- the impact always extends beyond the targeted company to affect the entire value chain
This incident demonstrates that a cyberattack can now immobilise industrial production on a large scale for a significant period of time, with major economic consequences.
In the connected industry, operational resilience now depends as much on digital security as on the technical performance of facilities.
Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue. It has become an essential condition for industrial continuity.
What next?
B2C Engineering supports you in implementing cybersecurity solutions tailored to your operational objectives.
In 2025, a major cyberattack forced car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover to halt production at several factories for several weeks.
This landmark event illustrates the industry’s growing dependence on digital systems.
According to The Guardian, the company voluntarily took part of its IT systems offline to contain the intrusion. This security decision immediately led to the shutdown of critical operations, from manufacturing to distribution.