COPILOT FOR MICROSOFT 365 IS NOW AVAILABLE! FIND OUT ON MARKETPLACE.
interworks.cloud joins Climb Global Solutions, strengthening cloud and software distribution across Europe 🔗Read More
COPILOT FOR MICROSOFT 365 IS NOW AVAILABLE! FIND OUT ON MARKETPLACE.
interworks.cloud joins Climb Global Solutions, strengthening cloud and software distribution across Europe 🔗Read More
Partner Account Manager & Acronis Certified Trainer, interworks.cloud
M: [email protected]
Attackers reportedly gained unauthorized access to refrigeration management systems, manipulated temperature settings and activated defrost functions, causing food spoilage, operational disruption, and significant financial losses.
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More than 115 stores were reportedly affected during the November wave alone. The attacks exposed serious weaknesses in internet-connected Operational Technology (OT) and IoT infrastructure. The identity of the attackers and the exact methods used across all incidents remain under investigation.
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Key takeaway: Cyberattacks no longer threaten only business data. They can directly disrupt physical operations, damage products and interrupt essential services.
Sources: BleepingComputer | Reuters/CNBC
Modern businesses increasingly depend on interconnected infrastructure, including:
Refrigeration and temperature-control systems.
Manufacturing and industrial equipment.
Building management and HVAC systems.
Security cameras and access-control systems.
Remote maintenance and monitoring platforms.
Servers, endpoints, and cloud applications.
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Many of these systems are accessible remotely, run outdated firmware or lack appropriate security controls. One vulnerable connected device can potentially compromise an organization’s operational continuity. The risks extend beyond retail to manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, hospitality, and other industries.
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These incidents create an opportunity for MSPs and IT resellers to expand customer conversations beyond traditional endpoint security. Partners can introduce Cyber Exposure Assessments, Managed Security and Business Continuity Services, helping customers identify vulnerabilities, secure critical infrastructure, and improve operational resilience.
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External attack-surface monitoring: NordStellar
Secure remote access and Zero Trust: NordLayer
Identity and access security: Microsoft Entra ID, NordPass
Endpoint protection and EDR: Acronis, ThreatDown, Microsoft Defender
Vulnerability and patch management: Acronis, ThreatDown, Microsoft Defender
24/7 threat detection and response: Acronis MDR, ThreatDown MDR, MDR 360°
IT/OT security visibility: Microsoft Defender for IoT
Backup and disaster recovery: Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud / Local
Compliance and risk management: StartComply
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Important: These solutions should be combined with appropriate industrial firewalls, network segmentation, equipment-specific security controls, and specialist OT expertise. Conventional endpoint protection does not directly protect every industrial controller.
We encourage partners to review the following security measures with their customers:
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1. Discover all connected assets: Identify IT, IoT and OT equipment across the organization.
2. Assess internet exposure: Identify publicly accessible systems, devices and management interfaces.
3. Eliminate unnecessary exposure: Remove direct internet access to critical controllers and services. Firewall Rules.
4. Segment networks: Separate corporate IT, guest, IoT and operational environments.
5. Secure remote access: Implement MFA, Zero Trust principles and controlled third-party access.
6. Manage vulnerabilities: Identify outdated firmware, unsupported equipment and unpatched software.
7. Protect endpoints: Deploy EDR/XDR on supported computers, servers and management systems.
8. Monitor continuously: Implement appropriate security monitoring, MDR and incident alerting.
9. Protect critical data: Maintain secure, isolated backups and recovery-ready configurations.
10. Monitor operational conditions: Establish independent alerts for critical equipment and abnormal behavior.
11. Prepare for incidents: Develop and test incident-response and disaster-recovery procedures.
12. Review security regularly: Conduct periodic assessments, access reviews and recovery exercises.
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Priority recommendation: Customers operating connected industrial or building-management equipment should immediately review external exposure and remote-maintenance access.
We recommend that partners introduce three complementary offerings:
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Identify internet-exposed systems, vulnerable equipment, insecure remote access, and configuration weaknesses.
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Combine endpoint security, secure access, vulnerability management, continuous monitoring and backup into a recurring service.
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Deliver comprehensive protection for business-critical infrastructure, including OT security assessments, managed detection and response, disaster recovery and operational continuity planning.
These services create opportunities for assessment of projects, remediation engagements, and recurring managed security revenue.
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Ask your customers:
Do you know which devices are accessible from the internet?
Can external suppliers remotely access your critical infrastructure?
Are your connected devices running supported firmware?
Can you detect unauthorized changes to operational equipment?
How quickly could your business recover from a cyberattack affecting physical operations?
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If the answers are unclear, a Cyber Exposure & Resilience Assessment is an appropriate starting point.
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The recent European supermarket incidents demonstrate that cybersecurity is no longer just about protecting information. It is about protecting business operations, revenue, customer trust, and continuity.
Through the interworks.cloud cybersecurity portfolio, partners can help customers reduce exposure, strengthen defenses, improve threat detection, and recover more effectively from disruption. Don’t wait until a cyberattack stops your customer’s business. Help them identify their exposure today. Protect their operations tomorrow.
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