Cybersecurity for Wineries: How to Protect Against Attacks
Let’s talk about something that doesn’t usually come up in winery conversations—cybersecurity.
Sure, we’re all about winemaking and managing your financials, but as your accountant, we also care about protecting the sensitive data you handle every day.
Wineries hold valuable information like customer payment details, inventory records, and even proprietary winemaking techniques. And while you might not think your winery is a target, the truth is, cybercriminals love going after small businesses like yours.
From phishing emails to full-blown ransomware attacks, these cyber threats can disrupt your operations and damage your reputation—two things you can’t afford to lose.
Why are wineries targets?
It’s easy to think that hackers only target large corporations, but that’s not the case. Wineries are attractive to cybercriminals because they often don’t have the sophisticated cybersecurity defenses that bigger businesses do. But they still handle sensitive data such as customer credit card numbers and employee details, so there’s plenty for hackers to steal.
For instance, an Australian winery recently had its ordering system and email communications shut down for an entire day due to a cyberattack. That’s not just an inconvenience—it’s a direct hit to business operations. And it shows that even smaller businesses like wineries aren’t immune to these attacks.
The most common cyber threats wineries face
In 2024, the two most common types of cyber scams affecting small businesses, including wineries, are phishing scams and ransomware. These attacks are becoming more frequent, with small businesses being particularly vulnerable.
Phishing Scams
Phishing is one of the most common ways hackers get in. It usually involves a fake email that looks like it’s from a trusted source—maybe a supplier or payment processor—asking you or your staff to click a link or provide sensitive information. Once clicked, the link may install malware or steal important data, which could then lead to identity theft, customer data breaches, or even a full-scale ransomware attack
Ransomware
A ransomware attack is when hackers lock you out of your own systems and demand payment to give you access again. Imagine losing access to your customer orders, inventory data, and financial records until you pay up. It’s a nightmare scenario, and it’s happening more and more to businesses of all sizes.
What your winery can do to protect against attacks
The most successful cyberattacks, like phishing scams, often happen because of human error. Employees might not realize they’re clicking on a dangerous link or sharing sensitive information with the wrong person. This is why training your team to spot phishing scams is so important.
Start by teaching employees to always double-check the email address. Even if the email looks like it’s from a familiar company—using the right logos and branding—they should verify that the sender’s email address is legitimate. For instance, if you get an email from what looks like your supplier, but the email address doesn’t match the company’s official domain, it’s a red flag.
Employees should also be encouraged to never click on links or download attachments from emails unless they’re 100% sure they’re safe. Even if the message looks urgent–and especially if it’s a request to update payment information–they should take a moment to verify the source. Have them contact the supplier or customer directly, using a phone number or official contact details from the company’s website—not the information in the suspicious email.
By implementing regular cybersecurity awareness chats, wineries can drastically reduce their vulnerability to phishing attacks. Employees will be more likely to recognize suspicious links, avoid sharing sensitive data, and think critically about every email they receive.
Along with chatting with your employees, here are a few other ways that you can safeguard your winery:
Password Management and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Weak passwords are an open door for cybercriminals. Encourage your team to use strong, unique passwords for every system and account. Using a password manager (like LastPass or 1Password) simplifies this process by generating and securely storing complex passwords. Adding two-factor authentication (2FA) to all critical systems can provide another layer of protection.
Tip: To see if your passwords or business website have been compromised, you can use tools like Cyber Score. This free service allows you to check if your passwords or website have been breached in just a few seconds.
Backup and Encryption: Backing up your data is essential to ensuring your business can recover from an attack without paying a ransom. Regular backups, coupled with encryption, protect sensitive information like customer payment data, inventory details, and employee records. In the event of a breach, encrypted data is useless to hackers without the decryption key.
If you’re unsure where to start, your IT person can help set up regular backups and implement encryption, or you can reach out to a cybersecurity expert for more advanced protection.
Network Penetration Testing: Conducting network penetration tests helps you find weak spots in your system before hackers do. These tests simulate attacks to see where your winery’s network might be vulnerable, such as outdated software or insecure configurations. While this sounds technical, your IT person or a cybersecurity professional can handle this for you.
Cyber Insurance: While it might sound extreme, cyber insurance can be a lifesaver for wineries if a breach occurs. It helps cover the costs of things like data recovery, business interruptions, and notifying customers about the breach. Some policies even include legal fees, forensic investigations, and potential fines. Not every business may feel they need cyber insurance, but it’s worth considering if your winery handles a lot of sensitive customer information.
At the end of the day, cybersecurity might not be the first thing you think about when running a winery, but it’s something you can’t afford to ignore.
Simple steps like training your staff, using strong passwords, backing up your data, and running regular security checks can go a long way in protecting your business from expensive cyberattacks. And if something does go wrong, cyber insurance can be that extra safety net you need.
You don’t want to find yourself in a situation you can’t get out of. Taking cybersecurity seriously now can save you a lot of trouble—and money—down the road.
If you’re not sure where to start, get in touch with your IT person or reach out to a cybersecurity professional for guidance.
Until next time.
