Director of Global Information Technology at Bizerba

Nearly one and a half years have passed since Bizerba fell victim to a cyberattack. While the initial impact was severe, we managed to restore our basic functions within a few weeks. However, it took several months to rebuild our IT infrastructure even though the cyberattack has catalyzed positive, long-term changes within our organization.

Rapid Response and Recovery

On the night of June 27, 2022, our IT systems became the target of a cyberattack, utilizing 'Lockbit,' a ransomware-as-a-service software operating on the dark net. This attack led to an immediate security shutdown of our global systems. In response, we promptly engaged IT security and forensic experts to analyze the attack and began restoring our core IT landscape in an isolated environment.

Our complete portfolio of hardware and software solutions underwent extensive testing and received approval for delivery and installation within a few weeks, enabling us to restore our fundamental business functions. In the subsequent months, we focused on re-establishing the remaining systems and applications, ensuring a return to 'business as usual' throughout the company.

New Structures Instead of Restructuring

Following the cyberattack in June 2022, we accelerated our efforts to rebuild our entire IT landscape. This included putting in place new processes, structures and systems to enhance security for ourselves and our customers. The response to the cyberattack went beyond simply restoring systems. The company's goal was to learn from the incident, improve security and build back better. Many of the changes and innovations were already on the roadmap. They were just scheduled for the next few years. What has been accomplished in the past few months would have taken several years under normal circumstances.

Strengthened Security for Customers

Now, our solutions are more secure than ever, offering our customers a higher level of security. We are well-equipped to share our experience and insights in discussions with customers. The security of our products remains a top priority, and we have enhanced the security of our remote services with a focus on sustainability. Furthermore, we are prepared to provide crucial support if our customers are affected by a cyberattack. This added value is particularly significant as we serve as a total solutions provider, especially in light of the rising number of cyberattacks in the industry. While there is still more work to be done, the new structures have already made a noticeable difference for our business and customers.

"The attack brought the entire Bizerba family closer together worldwide and fueled our collective motivation."

Experts affirm that it's not a matter of 'if' a company will face an attack but 'when' it will happen and 'how' the company responds. Our security measures were robust before, but the cyberattack served as a harsh wake-up call. It's akin to living in a hurricane-prone area; when a hurricane strikes, everything should be in place to minimize the damage. While we acknowledge that a global market leader like Bizerba could still be targeted, we want to reassure our stakeholders that we will never stop improving our IT security. No security strategy is ever truly 'finished,' but we have now achieved the highest possible level and are better positioned than many of our industry peers, a fact validated by leading security service providers.

Similar to the rest of the global economy, our weighing business faced disruptions in global supply chains and a slowing global economy in the previous years. Then came the cyberattack, presenting significant challenges. Nevertheless, we reflect on the past one and a half years with satisfaction and optimism. The attack brought the entire Bizerba family closer together worldwide and fueled our collective motivation.