In an era where DNA turns into data, laboratories are managed in the cloud, and molecular discoveries are stored in globally interconnected servers, cybersecurity becomes a priority. As cybersecurity specialists, we at ESED have witnessed in real-time how the biotechnology industry has shifted from being an analog, closed environment to becoming one of the most digitized, distributed, and vulnerable sectors.

The agri-food industry is undergoing an unprecedented transformation thanks to the integration of emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT). From crop sensors to smart traceability systems in the supply chain, IoT is helping to optimize processes, reduce costs, and improve sustainability. However, this digital revolution also brings a silent but critical threat: cyberattacks.

In the realm of corporate cybersecurity, it’s not enough to have protected systems: they must be tested. Threat detection, response capacity, and defense strength are not only measured theoretically but also practically. And this is precisely where an increasingly popular strategy among organizations focused on prevention comes into play: simulating cyberattacks through Red Team and Blue Team exercises.

Protecting genomic and research data is essential for biotechnology companies, given the value and sensitivity of the information they handle. Implementing appropriate cybersecurity strategies not only protects intellectual property but also ensures the trust of patients, investors, suppliers, and collaborators.

In recent years, Spain has climbed the ranks in Europe as one of the countries most affected by ransomware. According to the threat report from the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), our country is among the most targeted on the continent, with a notable increase in incidents across strategic sectors, including agribusiness.

Corporate social media channels serve as the window to any business. They are the medium through which companies interact directly with customers in an increasingly digital environment. Social media helps humanize the business, which is often hidden behind a screen. It's also the way to promote products and strengthen a brand.

Biotech companies are a prime target for cybercriminals due to the sensitive nature of their data, which includes confidential information about research and development, intellectual property, patient data, and collaborations with other organizations.

When we want to perform a search on the internet, most of the time we do it through well-known web browsers like Google, Microsoft Edge, or through the latest Artificial Intelligences. These search engines belong to what is known as the Clear Net. The Clear Net is the part of the internet accessible to everyone and is regulated according to the laws and conditions of governments.

During 2023, there were around 2,200 cyberattacks per day, an increase compared to the 2022 data (1,900 cyberattacks per day). However, the targets haven't changed; companies remain the main victims due to the large amounts of data they store and their tendency to pay the requested ransoms to recover their information.

However, sometimes cyberattacks are confused with simple computer issues, as happened recently with CrowdStrike. A flaw in the Microsoft operating system update left thousands of companies unable to carry out their activities normally.

Next, we will discuss how we can differentiate a real cyberattack from a computer problem.

For years, we have been hearing how quantum computing could change and revolutionize the world, and it seemed that Google might achieve this with its own quantum computer, Sycamore. But in July 2024, we saw these hopes shattered when a new technical proposal from Chinese scientists regarding conventional computers broke Sycamore's speed record.