Nov 13, 20263 min read
As cyber threats increasingly target operational refrigeration and cold-chain systems, food industry companies can strengthen resilience by managing technology risk, including end-of-life systems.
By: Doug Baker, Vice President, Industry Relations, FMI
The incidents reported in France targeting industrial refrigeration and cold-chain monitoring systems underscore the important connection among professionals responsible for cybersecurity, food safety and operations. In fact, recent federal cybersecurity guidance warns that refrigeration and cold-chain monitoring systems are increasingly being targeted by cyber threats. Attackers are seeking to exploit vulnerabilities in electronic temperature controllers and commercial refrigeration systems that support food safety throughout the supply chain, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Health and Human Services and Department of Transportation.
From refrigeration and temperature monitoring to inventory and facility management, connected systems help retailers keep food safe, operate efficiently and maintain consumer trust. As these systems become increasingly connected, protecting them has become an essential part of maintaining our resiliency.
Managing End-of-Life Technology Is Critical to Operational Resilience
Managing end-of-life technology is an important part of managing cyber risk. Managing End-of-Life Technology: Common Practices for Food and Agriculture Organizations, a report developed by the Food and Agriculture Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Food and Ag-ISAC), highlights the importance of managing technologies that remain in use after manufacturers stop providing updates and support.
Unlike consumer technology, operational systems used in food retail environments are often designed to remain in service for many years. Refrigeration controls, building management systems, monitoring platforms and other operational technologies are built for longevity and reliability. While in many cases older technologies continue to perform their intended functions effectively, the challenge is understanding the risks of unsupported systems and addressing them through operational and cybersecurity planning.
The Food and Ag-ISAC report offers practical guidance to help organizations evaluate their systems and prepare for the future. I strongly encourage you to read the report.
FMI Recognizes Cybersecurity as a Business and Supply Chain Imperative
Last year, the FMI Board of Directors declared cybersecurity a pre-competitive priority for the food industry. Strengthening our collective resilience requires collaboration across retailers, wholesalers, product suppliers and other supply chain partners, including sharing threat intelligence, building cross-functional cyber teams, training employees and learning from incidents. These steps can help companies move from reacting to cyber threats to preparing for them together. Read FMI’s policy statement on cybersecurity to learn more about the industry’s stated commitment.
Information sharing is one of the most effective ways to strengthen the industry’s collective cyber defenses. Information Sharing and Analysis Centers, or ISACs, give companies access to timely threat intelligence, industry-specific insights and practical tools to help identify vulnerabilities, respond to incidents and build greater resilience. For the food industry, the Food & Ag ISAC supports organizations in agriculture, farming and food production, while the Retail & Hospitality ISAC supports companies including consumer products manufacturers, retailers and restaurants.
By participating with FMI in these trusted networks, food industry companies can learn from their peers, stay ahead of emerging risks and contribute to a stronger, more resilient food supply chain.
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