The biotechnology and medical sector has undergone a significant transformation with the integration of advanced digital technologies. Laboratory equipment, diagnostic devices, and monitoring systems are now network-connected, equipped with sophisticated firmware, and managed through digital interfaces. While this digitalization enhances the efficiency and capabilities of these devices, it also introduces new attack surfaces for cybercriminals.

In the retail sector, where the customer experience increasingly relies on the integration of systems, mobile applications, and omnichannel platforms, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) have become an essential component. However, this technological dependence has opened the door to a cybersecurity issue: API attacks.

Ransomware has become one of the most serious threats to IT infrastructures worldwide in recent years. In this context, the food industry has proven to be particularly vulnerable. Traditionally focused on operational efficiency and logistics, many companies in the sector have relegated cybersecurity to a secondary concern. However, the exponential rise in attacks has forced an urgent reevaluation of digital defense strategies. The ransomware attack suffered by JBS Foods in 2021 was not only one of the most publicized, but also a paradigmatic case that exposed structural vulnerabilities in one of the world’s largest meat processing companies.

Zero Trust is a security model based on the principle that no entity, whether inside or outside the corporate network—should be automatically trusted. This approach involves continuously verifying the identity, context, and security posture of all devices and users before granting access to critical resources.

Technologies such as MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) have become essential pillars for efficiency, traceability, and regulatory compliance in the food industry. However, this level of integration also introduces a new risk front: cybersecurity.

For many years, concerns about IT security have focused almost exclusively on digital environments: websites, e-commerce platforms, cloud databases, etc. However, the modern retail ecosystem also includes a physical component that is becoming increasingly digitized. In physical stores, devices like payment terminals (POS devices) and Wi-Fi networks play a key role in both the customer experience and operational efficiency. But just like in the online world, these systems can also become targets for cybercriminals and their attacks.

Over the past decade, scientific and technological research environments have become prime targets for advanced threat actors. Connected laboratories, with large volumes of sensitive data, critical infrastructure, and IoT devices, represent an attractive target for Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs).

The digitalization of the retail sector has been key to improving customer experience and optimizing operational processes. However, this transformation has also exposed companies in the sector to a growing wave of cyberattacks. From e-commerce platforms to point-of-sale (POS) terminals, attack surfaces have multiplied, along with the risks to data integrity and business continuity.

One of the biggest challenges in addressing cybersecurity is estimating the true cost of an attack. It’s not just about direct losses like service interruptions or financial fraud, but also secondary costs such as regulatory fines, legal fees, reputational damage, and customer churn.

The biotech sector is one of the most innovative and fastest-growing industries in recent years. By working with genetic data, developing drugs, and researching new therapies, they are a prime target for cybercriminals.

According to an IBM report, the average cost of a data breach in the manufacturing industry (including food) exceeds $4.5 million. With a highly interconnected supply chain, automated production systems, and increasing digitalization, this sector is becoming more vulnerable to cyberattacks.

In recent years, phishing has undergone a significant transformation due to the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into cybercriminals' tactics. This evolution has led to more sophisticated and harder-to-detect attacks, increasing their prevalence and effectiveness.