Hackers have allegedly broken into the main server and SAP system of Tirupati Sugars Mill in Bagaha, West Champaran district in Bihar. The mill's management has filed a police complaint against unidentified attackers at the Bagaha cyber police station, and officers have opened an investigation.
Breach Took Place Between August 18 and 20
According to the complaint filed by the management, the attack happened over three days, between August 18 and 20. During this window, the hackers broke into the mill's server and its SAP system, damaging critical business data. The management claims the mill has suffered a loss of around Rs 100 crore because of the attack. The complaint also raises the possibility that confidential data worth close to Rs 1 crore may have been stolen.
Sugar Sales, Billing and Dispatch All Hit
The disruption to the server and software has directly affected the mill's day-to-day functioning. Work related to sugar sales, billing, stock counts and dispatch has all been hampered as a result. The same server also stored complete records of payments owed to sugarcane farmers, along with the mill's accounts and other essential business data, information that forms the backbone of its daily operations. With the system compromised, all of this data is now at risk, leaving the management worried.
Ransomware Suspected, But Not Yet Confirmed
Sources cited suggest the mill's server may have been hit by a ransomware attack. In such attacks, hackers typically lock up systems or data and demand a ransom to restore access. However, there has been no official confirmation of this in the Tirupati Sugars Mill case so far. Only once the cyber investigation is complete will it become clear exactly how the attack was carried out and how much data was stolen or corrupted.
Police Investigating, Officials Speak Out
Cane general manager B.N. Tripathi said an FIR was lodged at the cyber police station as soon as the mill learned its software had been hacked. Cyber DSP Jyoti Kumari said the police have received the application and have begun their inquiry. She said, "Only once the investigation is complete will the real nature of the cyberattack and the exact extent of the damage come to light." Investigators are currently examining server logs and digital evidence to determine where the attack originated and how it was executed.
