The food and beverage industry runs on complex supply chains where every system depends on the other. And with digital tools now handling almost everything, from sourcing ingredients to tracking shipments, that’s made operations faster and more efficient—but it’s also created new openings for attackers.
An attack might start in the supplier's network and spread to the facility. Or malware could slip in through a software update from a vendor and move through these systems undetected. Food and beverage companies are increasingly targeted precisely because they haven't prioritized cybersecurity the way industrial manufacturing industries have.
Two Ways Attackers Strike
Every supplier connection represents a potential vulnerability. Attackers typically choose one of two approaches.
The direct approach targets critical suppliers to create bottlenecks. Compromise a key ingredient vendor or packaging supplier and production schedules collapse across multiple facilities.
The indirect approach is often much harder to detect. Attackers can hide malware in sensors or equipment during manufacturing. When that equipment arrives at a facility and connects to the network, the malware activates and spreads, potentially reaching customers and partners later on.
Both methods exploit the fact that a facility is only as secure as its weakest link, which could be the company’s most vulnerable supplier. Most companies vet their primary suppliers carefully. Backup vendors? Not always.
When backup vendors fail to meet the same security standards, that trades one problem for another. When a disruption hits, switching production to a backup supplier can open a new door for attackers. The only way to stay ahead is to hold every partner to the same cybersecurity standards and verify it through regular audits.
Catching Problems Before Installation
Factory acceptance tests and site acceptance tests are standard in food and beverage operations. Cybersecurity testing should be just as routine, but it rarely is.
Cyber Acceptance Testing, or CAT, finds vulnerabilities in new equipment before it ever connects to production systems. It’s more than a virus scan. CAT looks for sudden spikes in data transfer, unusual network traffic, and equipment that behaves differently once it’s installed.
The real problems often show up only after new systems start talking to the old ones — which is why testing after integration isn’t optional. Catch these issues before they reach the production floor or spend time and money fixing them later. Without CAT, manufacturers are importing whatever security gaps suppliers have.
Building security into operations starts with clean systems and continues with ongoing monitoring. The team also needs training to recognize and report anything unusual.
True supply chain visibility means knowing every link. Where do components originate? How do they integrate? Which suppliers pose the greatest risk? Map your network and focus on critical vendors.
Using common security standards makes it easier to assess vendors and spot weak points early. Frameworks like NIST, K140 or ISA/IEC 62443 give you a consistent way to measure a supplier’s cybersecurity readiness before problems surface. And when you’re dealing with critical infrastructure, trust in the supply chain isn’t optional.
One weak link or one vendor without proper controls can expose the entire system. That’s why these frameworks matter.
For example, when a client needs to vet suppliers, K140 gives them a way to do it with discipline. It lays out what every vendor needs to answer — not as paperwork, but as proof. The requirements force real conversations about where the gaps are before they become entry points. It gives everyone a common framework for gauging cyber maturity, no matter where they sit in the supply chain.
Every partner, every system, operating at the same level of readiness. That’s how you start sealing the cracks attackers look for. When applied across the board, these standards reduce risk and build trust across the entire supply network.
Five Steps to Secure Your Supply Chain
Cybersecurity threats keep evolving, but you don't need to solve everything at once. Start here:
Map your supplier ecosystem. Document who provides ingredients, packaging and automation systems. Include primary vendors, backups and backups to those backups. Identify who has access to your systems and which connections carry the most risk.
Set clear cybersecurity requirements in contracts. Specify expectations—whether that's meeting NIST standards, ISA/IEC 62443 requirements or your own protocols. Reserve the right to audit supplier systems and test equipment before it connects to your operations.
Test before it goes live. Subject new equipment and software to comprehensive cyber testing before connecting it to your production floor. Look for malware, unusual network activity and integration problems that standard inspections might miss.
Treat suppliers as security partners. The companies providing critical equipment need to understand the threats you both face. Have frank conversations about what could go wrong and how you'll respond together. Share threat intelligence when either party learns about new risks. Work through scenarios together.
Monitor and update continuously. As threats evolve, your defenses must adapt. Maintain ongoing monitoring, conduct regular supplier audits and update security protocols as systems and vendor relationships change.
Food and beverage companies that take supply chain cybersecurity seriously stay safer and more competitive. Strong security makes it easier to win contracts with major retailers, clear audits, and answer the growing list of customer security questionnaires.
The bigger payoff comes in what you avoid. A cyberattack that stops production, even for a few days, can cost millions in lost revenue, shipping delays, fines, and reputational damage.
In an industry built on tight margins and long-earned trust, cybersecurity isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s part of keeping the lights on. It's a foundational component of risk management, key for protecting operations in today’s digitized manufacturing landscape.
