March, 2024 | Cybersecurity
Duvel Moortgat Brewery, renowned for its famous Duvel beer, made headlines in Q1 2024 as the victim of a cyberattack. Unfortunately, the brewery is not alone in facing such threats. Every day, businesses across Flanders are informed that they’ve fallen victim to a cyber incident, often with significant consequences. Despite these frequent examples, many companies continue to believe that a cyberattack won’t happen to them and remain underprepared for such an event.
The Impact of a Cyberattack
Fortunately, Duvel Moortgat had already implemented several protective measures. As a result, their IT department was quickly alerted, and production was partially resumed after just one day. However, for other businesses in Flanders, the situation is not always so fortunate. Many companies mistakenly believe they are invulnerable or overestimate their cybersecurity defenses—an enormous mistake. .
In addition to financial loss, companies that suffer cyberattacks also experience damage to their reputation. Customers and suppliers may lose trust in their ability to operate securely. Ask yourself: What impact could a cyberattack have on your business? Are you sufficiently prepared to respond effectively in the event of a cyber incident?
The Importance of a Cybersecurity Policy
The cyberattack on Duvel Moortgat underscores the need for every business to have a tailored cybersecurity policy. It’s not enough to simply protect against cyberattacks (cybersecurity). Companies must also plan how to respond if an incident does occur, a concept known as cyber resilience. Cyber-resilient companies know what actions to take to return to full operations after an attack. Don’t wait for legal obligations to kick in before strengthening your cybersecurity policy—be proactive now.
Getting Started with Your Cybersecurity Policy
Does your company have a strategy in place to enhance cybersecurity? Or are you looking to improve your company’s cybersecurity in a sustainable way? Do you need help identifying vulnerabilities within your business? If so, a cybersecurity improvement project might be the solution for you! VLAIO-approved service providers are available to assist SMEs and tailor-made companies in sustainably enhancing their cybersecurity posture. Find out more here: www.vlaio.be/CS.
Copyright Reference: This article is based on the original publication by [Vlaams Agentschap Innoveren & Ondernemen (VLAIO)] on cybersecurity best practices for Flemish businesses.