The Handala hacker group has claimed responsibility for a cyberattack on the Israeli company Tosaf, a manufacturer specializing in chemical and polymer additives. According to the attackers, they successfully disrupted the company’s industrial control systems (ICS), affecting production operations.
Alleged Impact of the Attack
According to the group’s statement, the attack resulted in:
- Factory entry systems shutdown – Preventing employees and logistics operations from accessing facilities.
- Industrial control systems disabled – Targeting critical manufacturing processes.
- Production operations disrupted – Leading to downtime in manufacturing capabilities.
- Remote system access gained – Allegedly allowing attackers to control Tosaf’s internal systems.
About Tosaf
Tosaf is a global leader in the chemical and polymer industry, manufacturing a variety of industrial materials.
- Employee base: ~5,000 employees
- Global presence: 60 offices worldwide
- Core business: Production of chemical and polymer additives
Implications for Industrial Cybersecurity
If confirmed, this attack highlights the growing vulnerability of industrial environments to cyber threats, particularly in manufacturing and chemical production. Industrial control systems (ICS) are often targeted by ransomware groups, hacktivists, and state-sponsored attackers, as they represent a critical operational backbone for companies.
Key Security Takeaways for Industrial Environments
- Segmentation of IT and OT networks – Prevent attackers from pivoting between corporate IT and industrial systems.
- Multi-layered access controls – Restrict access to ICS components with strong authentication.
- Behavioral anomaly detection – Implement AI-driven monitoring tools to detect unauthorized system changes.
- Incident response planning – Ensure rapid mitigation and containment measures are in place.
While the extent of the breach remains unverified, the attack underscores the importance of industrial cybersecurity in critical manufacturing sectors.
