Ace Hardware suffers a cyberattack, disrupting its operations

One of the world’s most prominent hardware stores, Ace Hardware, has recently sustained a cyberattack. Based on reports, the organisation wants to restore its operations immediately to revive and resume processing its online orders.

The first sign of the cyberattack against the hardware store is that the customers encountered an alarming message after accessing their website. The company’s CEO confirmed the issue in a memo sent out to Ace retailers, showing the severity of the attack.

According to the memo, the company detected a cybersecurity incident impacting most of our IT systems earlier this week. As a result, many of their critical operating systems, including ACENET, our Warehouse Management Systems, the Ace Retailer Mobile Assistant (ARMA), Hot Sheets, Invoices, Ace Rewards, and the Care Center’s phone system, have suffered interruption or suspension.

However, Ace Hardware had yet to respond to any inquiries for additional information, leaving customers and employees wondering about the situation of the hack.

 

The cyberattack on Ace Hardware has resulted in multiple unfortunate events.

 

According to various sources, Ace Hardware employees might not receive their salaries on time. In addition, the most recent updates confirmed that the company will suspend deliveries, and Ace Hardware could not accept orders from its retailers on October 31.

However, brick-and-mortar stores remained open, reassuring customers that in-store payment systems and credit card processing remained operational. Additionally, shoppers could still visit Ace Hardware’s stores to purchase items available in stock.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the nature of the cyberattack, the company is actively restoring its systems and operations. The organisation has employed a third-party digital forensic team to aid them in addressing the issue.

Ace Hardware Corporation, headquartered in Illinois, USA, is the world’s largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative. With over 5,000 stores worldwide, most of which are independently owned and operated, the hardware giant plays an essential role in supplying tools and DIY essentials to customers around the globe.

As the hardware empire faces the aftermath of this cyberattack, potentially impacted individuals should also be cautious since the attackers could have already executed another attack related to the incident.