IT Crisis and Response in a Hyperconnected Society – Jay Lee’s U.S. Report (132)

IT Crisis and Response in a Hyperconnected Society – Jay Lee’s America Dispatch (132)

Digitalization of Production Makes Food Industry a Target for Cyberattacks

Security Training and System/SW Maintenance Essential

Crisis Response Plans Required by BRC, FSSC, etc.

By Jongchan Lee, CEO of J&B Food Consulting

Recently, the world experienced an unprecedented IT crisis, revealing the risks of a hyperconnected society. The disruption of flight operations and restaurant chains highlighted just how deeply Microsoft operating systems are embedded across industries and in our daily lives. The shock of it all underscored the massive impact such an incident can have. Events like this may recur, and if instigated intentionally by terrorists from regions such as China, Russia, or North Korea, the damage could be far greater.

At the end of last year, I was quite shaken after watching the Netflix film Leave the World Behind (directed by Sam Esmail). The movie vividly portrays how a superpower like the United States could collapse with shocking ease—not due to widespread drug abuse or terrorism, but without the need for guns, tanks, missiles, or nuclear weapons. With just a few keystrokes, the U.S. self-destructs.

What caught my attention most in the movie was Tesla. Seeing Tesla vehicles crash in a chain reaction and pile up endlessly along the roads was chilling. It revealed how such smart cars could become tools of mass destruction when subjected to cyberattacks.

This risk intensifies with the global export of Chinese electric vehicles and the dominance of Chinese electronics. If cyber defenses are breached, scenarios like the one shown with Tesla Model 3 in the movie may become reality. As autonomous driving systems become more advanced and widespread, not only could individual vehicles be hijacked, but entire national transportation systems could be paralyzed.

The food industry is no exception when it comes to cyberattack preparedness. With widespread use of cloud-based computing, a system failure could shut down factory operations. A few years ago, a major meat processing plant in the U.S. was indeed brought to a halt by a cyberattack. As a result, certifications like BRC, SQF, and FSSC 22000 require companies to establish and operate crisis response plans specifically addressing cyberattack scenarios.

The vulnerability of food companies to IT attacks lies in the increasing digitalization of food production processes. Hackers can target production lines through malware or ransomware. The adoption of smart technologies and IoT devices makes them prime targets for hacking, potentially leading to data breaches or system lockouts. Outdated software or poorly configured systems become easy entry points for attackers.

To prepare, companies must minimize security risks by regularly updating systems and software. All employees should receive ongoing security training to prevent internal threats. Security testing using real-world hacker tools and techniques can help identify and address vulnerabilities. Moreover, obtaining certifications like ISO/IEC 27001, which follows international standards for information security management systems, can help elevate an organization’s ability to protect its information assets.

This recent incident should be a wake-up call—a chance to inspect the barn before the cows are lost.

Tag: #ITCrisis #CyberAttack

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jay@jnbfoodconsulting.com or 714-873-5566

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