In this module, you will learn about the growing cybersecurity risks in the food industry. As companies rely more on digital systems, they face threats like ransomware, phishing, and attacks that can disrupt food safety and business operations. We’ll guide you through real-world examples of these attacks and show you how to protect your organization.

Key Topics:

• Understanding Cyber Threats in the Food Industry: Learn about the different types of cyber threats, such as ransomware, phishing, and DDoS attacks, that affect the food industry. You’ll see how these threats can harm food safety and business operations, using real-life examples from the industry.
• Basics of Cybersecurity for Food Professionals: We’ll explain key cybersecurity concepts like threat vectors, vulnerabilities, and risk management. You’ll also learn best practices for securing your company’s digital systems and how employees can play a key role in maintaining cybersecurity.
• Linking Cybersecurity with Food Safety: Discover how cybersecurity can work with food safety practices like HACCP. You’ll learn strategies to include cybersecurity in your training programs to improve both food safety and digital protection.
• The JBS Foods Ransomware Attack: Explore the 2021 ransomware attack on JBS Foods. We’ll break down what happened, how the company responded, and the lessons you can apply to make your organization more resilient to similar threats.

By the end of this module, you will understand the key cybersecurity risks in the food industry and how to protect your business. You’ll also know how to combine cybersecurity with food safety practices. This knowledge will help you in future modules, where we’ll look at more advanced cybersecurity strategies and crisis management.

As the food supply chain becomes more digital, the risk of cyberattacks disrupting production, processing, and distribution increases. Managing these risks is critical to maintaining food safety and business continuity. This module will guide you through identifying, assessing, and mitigating cybersecurity risks in the food supply chain. You’ll also explore key regulations and learn from real-world cyber incidents like the Dole cyberattack.

Key Topics:

• Identifying Cyber Risks in the Food Supply Chain: The food supply chain includes multiple stages, from production to distribution, each vulnerable to cyber risks. You’ll learn about different types of threats and their potential impact on supply chain integrity and food safety.
• Assessing and Mitigating Cybersecurity Risks: Discover tools and techniques like risk matrices and threat modeling to evaluate risks. You’ll also learn how human error can lead to vulnerabilities and how technologies such as blockchain and AI can be used to secure the supply chain.
• Regulatory and Compliance Requirements: Staying compliant with industry regulations is crucial. You’ll review important regulations like FSMA, GDPR, and NIST, and learn strategies for keeping your business aligned with these requirements.
• The Dole Cyber Attack (2023): In 2023, Dole suffered a cyberattack that caused major supply chain disruptions. You’ll analyze what happened, how the company responded, and what lessons were learned to prevent similar issues in the future.

By the end of this module, you will be able to identify cybersecurity risks in the food supply chain, assess them using proven strategies, and ensure your business remains compliant with regulations. You’ll also gain insights from real-world examples to help protect your supply chain from future cyber threats.

Each part of the food industry—manufacturing, agriculture, and retail—faces unique cybersecurity challenges. Cyberattacks can compromise manufacturing equipment, farming data, and even customer payment systems, putting both businesses and consumers at risk. This module dives into these industry-specific concerns, exploring real-world examples and strategies to enhance security across the food sector.

Key Topics:

• Cybersecurity in Food Manufacturing: Manufacturing systems like SCADA, ICS, and PLC are essential to the food production process but are also vulnerable to cyber threats. You’ll learn how to identify these risks and explore methods to protect critical equipment and processes from attacks.
• Cybersecurity in Agriculture: As smart farming technologies become more common, agricultural data and equipment face new cybersecurity risks. You’ll discuss potential threats to farming operations and learn how to safeguard data and ensure the integrity of agricultural systems.
• Cybersecurity in Food Retail and Distribution: Retail systems are prime targets for cyberattacks that can expose customer data and disrupt distribution networks. You’ll explore strategies to protect payment information, secure logistics operations, and reduce risks from third-party vendors and POS systems.
• The KP Snacks Ransomware Attack (2022): In 2022, KP Snacks faced a ransomware attack that disrupted its operations. This lesson discusses what happened, how the company responded, and what can be done to strengthen defenses against similar threats in the future.

By the end of this module, you will have a clear understanding of the cybersecurity risks specific to food manufacturing, agriculture, and retail. You’ll be able to implement security strategies tailored to each sector and draw lessons from real-world attacks to protect your operations from future threats.

Cybersecurity is becoming an essential part of food safety and protection. By aligning cybersecurity with food safety practices, companies can better safeguard their operations from digital threats. This module covers how to integrate cybersecurity into food safety protocols, improve employee training, and use advanced technologies to protect both food and data. You’ll also learn from real-world cases, such as the New Cooperative ransomware attack.

Key Topics:

• Aligning Cybersecurity with Food Safety Protocols: Integrating cybersecurity with your food safety management system (FSMS) helps ensure both food and data are protected. You’ll explore how to identify critical control points (CCPs) where cybersecurity risks overlap with food safety concerns, and see examples of successful integration from real-world cases.
• Training and Awareness for Cybersecurity and Food Safety: Training employees is essential for both food safety and cybersecurity. You’ll learn how to design training programs that cover both areas, ensure continuous education, and promote a strong culture of safety and security within your organization.
• Leveraging Technology for Food Safety, Food Defense, and Cybersecurity: Technologies like IoT, blockchain, and AI can improve traceability and security in the food industry. You’ll explore how to use these tools to monitor incidents and prevent issues like food fraud, enhancing transparency across the supply chain.
• The New Cooperative Ransomware Attack (2021): In 2021, New Cooperative experienced a ransomware attack that affected its operations. You’ll analyze the attack, review how the company responded, and discuss how to build stronger defenses against similar threats in the future.

By the end of this module, you will understand how to integrate cybersecurity with food safety protocols, train your workforce effectively, and use technology to strengthen both food protection and data security. You’ll also gain insights from real-world attacks to help improve your organization’s resilience.

The FAQ session is a one-on-one discussion between Crisis Lab and the course instructor. It aims to provide a deeper understanding of the course content by addressing frequently asked questions and offering additional insights and perspectives.