SALINAS, CA - Amid a significant rise in ransomware and cyberattacks on the produce industry, ProduceSupply.Org (PSO), a group of produce suppliers from North America working together on technology initiatives, has launched the first revision of its PSO Cybersecurity Best Practices for Produce Suppliers. With this guide, produce companies will have a framework of ways to protect and defend themselves against cyberattacks.

“PSO has always worked to help suppliers across the industry with standards aimed at making their businesses stronger and more marketable,” said Erik Larsen, Chief Operating Officer of PSO. “Forming the Cybersecurity Council and establishing cybersecurity standards to be shared with the industry is a natural progression of that advocacy as we aim to be a resource for the organizations. There’s nothing more important than protecting the nation’s food supply and these standards provide a framework for building safeguards across the industry we care so much about.”

Growing threats to the produce industry sparked the creation of the PSO Cybersecurity Council in December 2021, according to a release. The consortium is made up of 16 IT professionals from 10 different produce companies including Calavo Growers, Duda, Foxy Produce (The Nunes Company), Grimmway Farms, Oppy, Tanimura & Antle, and L&M Companies. ZAG Technical Serves also donated their technical expertise as subject matter experts.

Recently, the industry has witnessed an uptick in the frequency of these attacks, some of which have directly impacted PSO member companies. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) warned that food and agriculture businesses could become targets of ransomware attacks during the sector’s busiest times, such as planting and harvesting, as criminals look to maximize the damage of their attacks to force victims to pay quickly.

Due to these rising attacks, PSO has launched revisions to its best practices tailored to meet the needs of the fresh produce industry.

“As a commodity-based industry, PSO members are reliant on each other and our ancillary suppliers to deliver fresh, perishable produce into the supply chain on a 24/7 basis—and cyberattacks can thwart those efforts,” said Johnny McGuire, Chairman of the PSO Cybersecurity Council and IT Director for The Nunes Company. “The PSO wanted to introduce some actionable best practices that suppliers can take back to their IT departments and implement immediately.”

To access the PSO Cybersecurity Best Practices for Produce Suppliers, click here.

For more tools and updates on cybersecurity options for the produce industry, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.

ProduceSupply.Org