How does a modern international floriculture company deal with digital security? We talked about it with Walter Arts, Operations Manager at Florius Flowers. With operations in the Netherlands, Kenya, Ethiopia and Colombia, and many employees worldwide, IT and data is very important to their operations. "From logistics and market analysis to breeding - much depends on reliable data," Walter says.
Practical approach
Florius Flowers has been taking a hands-on approach to cybersecurity for years. "Treat it like normal business insurance," Walter advises. "The question is not whether you will face cyber threats, but when." The company has therefore built several lines of defence. These include multiple backup systems (both local and cloud-based), two-factor authentication (2FA) for all key systems and regular password renewal. It also works with a specialist IT partner for proactive monitoring and advice.
The human factor is important
The success of cybersecurity hinges on the human factor. You can have the best technical solutions, but if employees are not alert, you remain vulnerable as a company. Florius is therefore investing in hands-on training for staff to deal with foreseeable situations. Thus, they interact and it becomes clear that it can happen to anyone and that vigilance is needed. The company also ensures an open corporate culture in which safety questions are normal and maintains direct lines of communication in case of suspicious situations. When in doubt, a colleague is always consulted. We encourage this internally, it is not crazy to ask questions."
Stronger together
As a participant in the Royal FloraHolland Cyberabonnement, Florius benefits from sector-specific knowledge and experience. "The workshops and updates keep us on our toes," says Walter. From these, we get different/additional information to that from our IT partner, so it works complementarily. And also, we are learning from other companies in the sector."
Cyber tips for growers and buyers
Some tips for business owners looking to strengthen their digital security:
- Start with basic security measures, such as good password policies and backups. Every step matters.
- Make cybersecurity part of your daily operations and make sure all employees know and follow security protocols.
- Finally, it is good to stay informed, to keep abreast of what is going on in this field in the industry.
"Even if you think you are not a target, it is important to strengthen digital security. Everyone is at risk. The Royal FloraHolland Cyber Subscription gives you access to practical tools and up-to-date information on digital threats," Walter concludes. "In this day and age, this is not an unnecessary luxury – it is an essential investment in the continuity of your business."
Take the plunge and use the Royal FloraHolland Cyber subscription for free
Want to learn more about cyber security and make progress as well? Then the Royal FloraHolland Cyber Subscription is for you. This subscription means growers and buyers can learn about the subject for free and get help with tips and advice. More information.
There is a free cyber seminar (every 2nd Wednesday of the month) especially for Royal FloraHolland members. You can sign up here to chat about this topic with a cyber professional.