The new buzzword of the last couple of years must be cybersecurity. But what exactly is cybersecurity, and do you really need it?
The Federal Government Agency tasked with protecting against cyberattacks, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, defines cybersecurity as “the art of protecting networks, devices and data from unauthorized access or criminal use and the practice of ensuring confidentiality, integrity and availability of information.”
But wait a minute – isn’t that only for government offices and big companies? We are just small foodservice businesses. We don’t need to worry about that.
Think again. It’s exactly because you are a small business that makes you the primary target for hackers and cybercriminals. And you could be the gateway for someone to hack into one of your clients. When Target’s data breach happened in 2013, attackers used a phishing attack against a third-party vendor HVAC contractor, then stole their credentials to access Target’s corporate network.
The foodservice industry is becoming more reliant on technology daily. From point-of-sale systems and online ordering platforms to food production and supply chain management, foodservice businesses rely on technology to operate efficiently and effectively.
Cybercriminals are aware that restaurants hold valuable data, such as customer information, financial records and even trade secrets. (KFC, what are those 11 secret herbs and spices?) They also know that foodservice businesses are under pressure to meet customers’ expectations and requests, which will make them more likely to pay ransoms in the event of a ransomware cyberattack.
A cyberattack could compromise food safety by disrupting food production and supply chain management. This could lead to foodborne illness outbreaks, which can have serious health consequences for consumers.
Were you aware that in 2021, JBS, the world’s largest meat packer, paid a ransom of $11 million to cybercriminals who hacked and locked them out of their own systems? Or that just this past September, both Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts International were hacked? In that instance, MGM suffered a widespread outage that lasted several days, and hackers stole driver’s license numbers and social security numbers for a significant number of Caesars Entertainment members.
A successful cyberattack against a foodservice business can have a devastating impact. In addition to financial losses, a business may also face damage to its reputation, regulatory investigations and even legal action. In some cases, cyberattacks can even disrupt food production and distribution, which could lead to food shortages and public health concerns.
A successful cyberattack can disrupt daily operations, causing chaos in the kitchen and front of house. This can result in lost revenue, wasted resources and frustrated customers. Ensuring the cybersecurity of these critical systems is essential to maintain operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Probably the most valuable assets a restaurant has is the restaurant’s reputation. A single cybersecurity incident, such as a data breach or a viral social media hack, can tarnish a restaurant’s brand image overnight. In an age where information travels quickly, a damaged reputation can have far-reaching consequences. Many companies have not survived a ransomware or malware attack and have had to shutter the business.
Investing in robust cybersecurity measures not only protects the business from attacks but also demonstrates a commitment to customer trust and data protection. A proactive approach to cybersecurity can enhance a restaurant’s reputation as a responsible and secure establishment, attracting more customers and maintaining loyalty.
Here are some of the most common types of cyberattacks that foodservice businesses face:
- Phishing emails are designed to trick employees into revealing sensitive information or clicking on malicious links.
- Ransomware attacks encrypt a business’s computer systems and data, then demand a ransom payment in exchange for the decryption key.
- Data Data breaches occur when cybercriminals gain unauthorized access to a business’s computer systems and steal sensitive data.
- Denial-of-service (DoS) Attacks.DoS attacks overwhelm a business’s website or servers with traffic, making them inaccessible to customers and employees.
There are also other steps you can take to protect your business from cyberattacks:
- Educate employees about cybersecurity best practices. Top of the list? Employees should be trained on how to identify and avoid phishing emails. This is the most common way cybercriminals gain access to the victim’s system. With AI technology, emails often seem legitimate.
- Employees should keep their devices secure and create strong passwords. Passwords now need to be 16 characters long to avoid an easy hack within a matter of minutes. You may want to consider password manager software for another level of protection.
- Implement strong cybersecurity measures.This includes using firewalls, anti-virus software and intrusion detection systems.
- Back up data regularly.In the event of a cyberattack, businesses can restore their data from backups to minimize downtime and disruption.
- Have a cybersecurity incident response plan in place.This plan should outline how the business will respond to a cyberattack, including how to contain the damage, notify customers and restore operations.
- Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all systems and applications. MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to enter a code from their phone in addition to their password when logging in. It can be a pain to always have to go to your phone to get into the system, but that extra step can save you in the long run.
- Use strong encryption for all sensitive data. This includes customer information, financial records and trade secrets.
- Keep your software up to date. Software updates often include security patches that can help to protect your systems from known vulnerabilities.
- Monitor your systems for suspicious activity. There are several security tools available that can help you monitor your systems for signs of a cyberattack. There are even free cybersecurity software programs like Avast Antivirus, Spiceworks Network Monitor, Comodo and also others that offer a free trial period.
Be cautious, as most will cover one aspect and not many others. Consider the ones with a free trial period to give you a chance to test-run the applications. Again, any protection is better than no protection, but it is better to spend the money to prevent than spend the money to repair. Other cybersecurity software to consider include Norton, Kaspersky, CrowdStrike and others as a bundle. There are other malware, antivirus, password managers and even private search engines like DuckDuckGo.
By following these tips, food service businesses can help keep their customers, employees and data safe from cyberattacks.
At the end of the day, protecting your customers, and safeguarding your business brand and reputation is a necessary requirement to continue in business. Cybersecurity, just like cybercriminals, is here to stay.