Aiken, September 2, 2025
News Summary
Bridgestone Americas confirmed a limited cyber incident affecting its manufacturing facilities on Labor Day. Operations have resumed, and a forensic analysis is underway. The cyber attack coincided with a Workers Over Billionaires Rally in Aiken, where employees were offered preventive maintenance work with pay. Bridgestone assures no customer data was compromised, easing concerns following a previous breach. Additionally, Congress is considering a resolution to overturn an EPA rule on emissions control technologies addressing Bridgestone’s operations.
Aiken County Experiences Limited Cyber Incident at Bridgestone Americas Facility
Bridgestone Americas has confirmed that it experienced a limited cyber incident affecting some of its manufacturing facilities on Labor Day, September 2, 2025. The company reported that the situation has since been contained and operations are continuing as usual. A thorough forensic analysis is currently underway to determine the extent of the incident.
The cyber incident emerged on the same day as the Workers Over Billionaires Rally held in Aiken, which saw over one hundred participants gathered in protest. Despite the disruption caused by the cyber attack, employees impacted by the incident were given the choice to stay for preventive maintenance work with full pay or to leave without pay.
Bridgestone reassured stakeholders that it does not believe any customer data was compromised during this cyber incident. This declaration comes on the heels of a significant cyber security breach that the company faced in 2022, raising additional concerns among stakeholders.
The Aiken County Bridgestone tire plant is strategically located off Bettis Academy Road and is one of over 50 production facilities operated by Bridgestone in the Americas, employing approximately 55,000 people in total.
In related news, Congress is currently considering a resolution aimed at overturning a recent EPA rule that mandates Bridgestone and other manufacturers to implement emissions control technologies. Introduced by Congressman Morgan Griffith, the resolution has garnered support from several representatives across South Carolina.
This particular EPA rule was proposed on November 16, 2023, and amendments were not finalized until November 2024. If the resolution passes Congress, it will pave the way for potential repeal of the regulations; however, the rules will remain effective unless signed off by President Donald Trump. In addition, U.S. Senators Tim Scott and Lindsey Graham are advocating for similar measures in the Senate, with Scott labeling the EPA regulation as overly burdensome and counterproductive.
As the situation develops, Bridgestone continues to focus on securing its operations while addressing the environmental regulatory landscape and maintaining transparency with its workforce and stakeholders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What incident occurred at Bridgestone Americas?
Bridgestone Americas experienced a limited cyber incident that impacted some manufacturing facilities on Labor Day, September 2, 2025.
Has the incident been contained?
Yes, the company has reported that the cyber incident has been contained and operations are proceeding as normal.
Were any customer data affected during the cyber incident?
Bridgestone has reassured stakeholders that there is no belief that any customer data was affected by the incident.
What is the current status of the EPA rule affecting Bridgestone?
Congress is considering a resolution to overturn the EPA rule requiring emissions control technologies at Bridgestone and other plants, with support from multiple South Carolina representatives.
Key Features of the Incident
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Incident | September 2, 2025 |
| Nature of Incident | Limited Cyber Incident |
| Outcome | Contained with normal operations resuming |
| Employee Options | Full pay for maintenance work or leave without pay |
| Customer Data Compromise | No evidence of impact |
| EPA Rule Status | Resolution in Congress to potentially repeal |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- WRDW: Bridgestone Americas Confirms Cyber Attack
- Wikipedia: Cyber Attack
- Post and Courier: Aiken County Bridgestone EPA Rule
- Google Search: EPA Regulations
- Tire Business: Bridgestone Loses Data After Ransomware Attack
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Ransomware
- WJBF: Aiken County Chosen by Meta for Data Center
- Google Scholar: Cyber Security
Author: STAFF HERE AIKEN
The AIKEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAiken.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Aiken, Aiken County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Aiken Horse Show, Aiken Bluegrass Festival, and polo matches at Whitney Field. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Aiken Chamber of Commerce and the Aiken County Historical Museum, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and tourism that power the local economy such as Bridgestone and the Aiken County Visitors Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
