JBS Foods pays $14.2 million ransom to end cyber attack on its global operations

Global meat processing company JBS Foods has confirmed that it paid the equivalent of $US11 million ($14.2 million) to a criminal gang to end a five-day cyber attack that halted its operations around the world last week, including Australia.

The company said it paid the money to mitigate any unforeseen issues related to the attack and ensure no data was exfiltrated.

"This was a very difficult decision to make for our company and for me personally," said Andre Nogueira, the chief executive of JBS USA.

A statement from the company highlights the FBI's assessment that the gang is "one of the most specialised and sophisticated cybercriminal groups in the world".

"The fact that, A: They paid it, and B: They admitted to it [is surprising], but I guess its becoming commonplace and they had limited choice," he said.

"The fact that it's been fairly widely published that they've paid the ransom — I think it does set a dangerous precedent."

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