Tag Archive for: Food

How a ransomware attack would disrupt the food supply chain

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Massive financial gains continue to be one of the top motivating factors behind cyberattacks.

The Information Technology – Information Sharing and Analysis Center (IT-ISAC) has been tracking ransomware incidents and trends since 2021.

Despite government and law enforcement efforts to take down malicious infrastructure, new ransomware strains continue to emerge.

The company just released its analysis of the 2023 ransomware landscape report and insights for 2024.

Jonathan Braley, Director of the Food and Ag-ISAC joins Veronica Dudo to discuss. #IN AMERICA TODAY #featured #ransomware #ransomwareattacks #foodsupplychain

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Food manufacturers top three for ransomware attacks

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The second quarter of 2023 saw 14 ransomware attacks against food and drink manufacturers globally, the third highest after equipment manufacturers (26) and electronics manufacturers (23).

Manufacturers were the most targeted for cyber security attacks, with 177 reported cases of ransomware against businesses in the second quarter alone – 70% of all alleged attacks. This was up from 143 in the previous quarter.

In total, Dragos detected 253 ransomware incidents in the second quarter of 2023, an 18% increase from the previous quarter. Of these attacks, 120 were reported in North America, 77 in Europe, 35 in Asia, 10 in South America, four in Africa, four in the Middle East and three in Australia.

Rapid growth of ransomware ecosystems

Dragos senior threat analysist Abdulrahman H. Alamri said: “The rise in ransomware attacks on industrial targets and their consequential impacts highlights the rapid growth of ransomware ecosystems and the adoption of different tactics, techniques, and procedures by these groups to achieve their objectives.”​

Ransomware attacks are a threat to the entire supply chain. An incident further up the chain may not immediately affect a food business, the consequent delays it can create can prove devastating, especially for our just in time system.

An example given by Dragos was an incident involving and attack on the Port of Nagoya in Japan, which impacted the port’s operations and subsequently affected the supply chains of other industrial organizations, including the Toyota packaging line.

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Florida Blue increases local investments in food security programs to more than $16 million

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Florida Blue Foundation awards additional $3.73 million in grants to innovative community programs making a meaningful impact in fight against hunger and food insecurity

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Oct. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — An estimated 2.2 million Floridians lack access to healthy food, including just over 660,000 children, according to Feeding America. Today, the Florida Blue Foundation announced another major investment to address food insecurity in the state with $3.73 million in grants awarded to 10 community-based programs.

The latest funding brings the total investment in food security programs from Florida Blue and its Foundation to more than $16 million over the last four years.

“Healthy communities need healthy food. When people don’t have enough food or must choose inexpensive foods with little nutritional value, it can seriously impact their health and well-being. Each year, more than $4.2 billion in health care costs are associated with food insecurity in our state,” said Pat Geraghty, Florida Blue and GuideWell president and CEO.

“The rising cost of food has only made this issue worse for our state. Florida Blue is focused on ensuring every person in Florida has reliable and affordable access to nutritious food and the knowledge of how to make it an enjoyable part of their daily lives,” said Geraghty 

The 10 nonprofit organizations receiving the latest $3.73 million in funding from the Florida Blue Foundation will use the grants for community-based food security initiatives that not only provide access to nutritional food but address obstacles to food security in their communities.

“Food insecurity is a highly complex issue. Each community’s relationship and access to food is unique. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to this issue,” said Susan Towler, executive director of the Florida Blue Foundation. “These Florida Blue Foundation grants will fund programs that directly improve access to and quality of food security for people at the neighborhood level, particularly in communities with underserved, racial and ethnic minorities, and low-income populations. We selected these 10 organizations because we believe they can make a meaningful and lasting impact in…

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Mobile farmers market sees skyrocketing demand due to food insecurity, rising grocery prices

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Ten minutes after closing time at the Fresh Moves mobile farmers market, a man approaches Timuel Jones-Bey hoping he still has time to shop on the shuttle bus before it’s packed up.

But the farmers market-on-wheels needs to make it to the other side of Bronzeville in time for the start of its next stop in just 20 minutes.

“We’re closed,” Jones-Bey says before adding, “but I’ve got a box for you.”

That interaction on a recent Thursday was repeated several more times over the next 15 minutes, with Jones-Bey never failing to leave a customer with an armful of fresh produce.

He knows or at least recognizes nearly every customer, and his conversations are filled with laughter despite the ticking clock. His knowledge of their personal lives fuels his desire to send each away with at least some fresh food.

“Some people have certain issues,” Jones-Bey said. “Some people have blood pressure issues, diabetes, stuff like that. So knowing that ahead of time, when they come when we’re closed, we’re still trying to help them and service them with what they need.”

Jones-Bey and his other workers were left with mere minutes to make it to the final stop of the day. A line of customers was already waiting for the brightly colored bus emblazoned with images of produce and smiling faces.

Urban Growers Collective’s Fresh Moves runs five days a week and makes several stops — all at least an hour — at locations across the city’s South and West sides, including South Chicago, Avalon Park, Englewood and Fuller Park.

Timuel Jones-Bey, right, speaks to customer Dan Owen, left, as he checks out at one of the stops of the Mobile Farmer’s Market.

Timuel Jones-Bey, right, speaks to customer Dan Owen, left, as he checks out at one of the stops of the Mobile Farmer’s Market by Urban Growers collective on June 30 at 330 E. 51st St. in Bronzeville.

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

The affordable market has seen a skyrocketing demand for its goods. The amount of fresh produce ordered from the local farms it partners with has…

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