As students across the country are heading back to school, the demand for cleaning supplies, especially disinfectant wipes, is skyrocketing.
However, a recent cyberattack on Clorox has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the availability of these essential items. The incident, which was discovered more than a month ago, could not have come at a worse time, as parents, teachers, and school administrators gear up for a new academic year amid ongoing concerns about health and safety.
On August 14, 2023, Clorox discovered "unauthorized activity on some of its Information Technology (IT) systems," according to the company's 8-K filing with the U.S. SEC dated September 18. This activity forced the company to take immediate action, including processing orders manually and temporarily shutting down some of its operations. Clorox has described the attack as causing "wide-scale disruption" to its business.
The timing of this cyberattack is particularly critical as it coincides with the return to school for millions of students. In the age of COVID-19, in addition to flu season, maintaining clean and sanitized environments has become a top priority for educational institutions. Clorox disinfecting wipes have been a go-to solution for schools and parents alike, helping to reduce the risk of virus transmission within educational settings.
In response to the cyberattack, Clorox has taken measures to remediate the situation. The company has resumed production at the majority of its manufacturing sites and is working towards a full recovery. However, the company has not provided a clear timeline for when operations will return to normal. The cyberattack is expected to continue causing disruptions in parts of Clorox's business.
Consumers, including parents and educators, are understandably concerned about the impact of this cyberattack. The availability of Clorox wipes and other cleaning materials is critical for schools, households, and businesses striving to maintain cleanliness and hygiene standards.
While Clorox has assured customers that they are actively working to meet demand, delays and product shortages are anticipated due to the ongoing disruption caused by the cyberattack.
