‘Cyber Force Measurement’ Provides Horticulture Businesses Insight into their Digital Resilience

To enhance cybersecurity awareness and encourage action to combat cyber threats, the Cyber Resilience Centre Greenport (Cyberweerbaarheidscentrum Greenport) has executed a Cyber Force Measurement to companies within the horticulture sector. Conducted over several months, this initiative assessed over 900 organisations affiliated to Royal FloraHolland, Glastuinbouw Nederland and GroentenFruit Huis for prevalent digital vulnerabilities. The measurement provided entrepreneurs with practical information on how to improve their digital security.

The ‘Cyber Force Measurement’ identifies potential risks by scouring open sources on the internet for vulnerabilities related to the domain names of the organisations that has been assessed. The initiative sought to highlight areas susceptible to cybercrime, for example by examining whether passwords or email addresses had been compromised. The Cyber Force Measurement is a collaborative effort between Cyber Resilience Centre Greenport, ThreadStone Cyber Security, and the Dutch security cluster Security Delta (HSD) in close collaboration with Royal FloraHolland, Glastuinbouw Nederland and GroentenFruit Huis.

René van Etten, ThreadStone Cyber Security: “The outcome shows us that with small simple steps, entrepreneurs can indeed enhance their first layer of digital security. But to become a cyber resilient horticulture sector, more action is needed. It is important to invest in awareness, education, gaining insights and collaboration.”

Individual reports & advise

The examined organisations receive a personalised report detailing their digital security status, including areas of strength and areas that require improvement. Entrepreneurs also receive a clear explanation on how to improve these aspects. To help them even further, they can join an information session where experts are present to provide help. Therefore, this comprehensive approach not only raises awareness but also provides actionable insights and help for organisations to bolster their cybersecurity measures.

Adri Bom-Lemstra, chairman Glastuinbouw Nederland: “The results of this Cyber Strength Measurement show how important it is for horticulture entrepreneurs to closely monitor the digital security of their business. At all times, it must be prevented that valuable business information or personal data of employees can become public. You don’t want your computer systems to be hacked or spread malicious software or viruses. It could impact your business continuation and reputation. We are therefore pleased that entrepreneurs can turn to the Cyber Resilience Centre Greenport for advice and guidance on improving their digital security.”

Organisations can visit www.cwgreenport.nl for more information.

Cyber Resilience Centre Greenport

CW Greenport aims to ensure a digitally secure horticulture cluster. It is an initiative by Delphy, Dutch Fresh Port, Royal FloraHolland, Glastuinbouw Nederland, Greenport West-Holland, GroentenFruit Huis, Hoogendoorn Automatisering B.V., Interpolis-Achmea, Security Delta (HSD), Digital Trust Center, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Province of South Holland and the Municipality of The Hague (Kansen voor West II).

Foto: iStock/ipuwadol