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Bridging Food Safety, Food Defense & Cybersecurity (IT and OT) from a Food Protection Mindset: Protecting Food Manufacturing in a Dynamic, Interconnected World

Explore evolving best practices and practical steps manufacturers can take to strengthen resilience and bolster a food protection mindset in today’s digital manufacturing environment.

Wednesday, September 16 @ 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM EDT

As food manufacturing and the global food system become more interconnected, the lens of food protection becomes clearer as the lines between food safety, food quality, food defense, food integrity, physical security and cybersecurity continue to blur.  A cyber incident can disrupt production, compromise critical systems, or create threats to production environments that impact both operations and consumer confidence.

Join industry leaders for a practical discussion to explore how these disciplines intersect and why collaboration across food safety, operations, IT / OT and physical security is becoming increasingly important.  Through real-world examples and industry perspectives, this panel will explore emerging threats, evolving best practices and practical steps manufacturers can take to strengthen resilience and bolster a food protection mindset in today’s digital manufacturing environment.

Participants will be exposed to and hear about:

    • How food safety, food defense, food integrity, physical security, and cybersecurity intersect within a broader food protection mindset.
    • How incidents that might be grounded in cyber and physical security can create real risks in the production environment, impacting operations, product protection, and consumer confidence.
    • Why stronger collaboration across food safety, operations, IT/OT, and physical security teams is increasingly critical.
    • How aligned terminology and a shared understanding of threats, vulnerabilities, and risk can strengthen and simplify decision-making across functions.
    • Practical steps manufacturers can take to reduce risk and build greater resilience as food production becomes more connected and complex.
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Kristin King

CEO, Author & Podcast Host, AnzenSage

Kristin King is a Cybersecurity and Operational Technology risk management expert specializing in food, agriculture, zoo, and aquarium infrastructure. She is the founder of AnzenSage and co-founder/CEO of AnzenOT, helping industries that grow, feed, and inspire the world protect what matters most. With experience spanning environmental management, gorilla research, and more than 25 years in technology, Kristin brings a grounded, systems-based approach to her work. She also hosts the award-winning Bites & Bytes Podcast and is the author of the forthcoming Wiley book Securing What Feeds Us: Cybersecurity in Food and Agriculture.

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Jason Bashura

Jason Bashura, MPH, RS, joined the private sector food industry in 2014 after serving over six years with the U.S. FDA’s Food Defense Team. At FDA, he contributed to food protection and defense research, and the FSMA Intentional Adulteration Rule. While at the FDA, Jason created partnerships within the Food Protection ‘universe’ – many of which he continues to enjoy today. Prior to FDA, Jason worked in Connecticut’s State and local public health sectors, including roles at the State DPH Food Protection Program, Newtown Health District, and Naugatuck Valley Health District.

Gary WIlls

Gary Wills

Regional Representative, North America, Foundation FSSC

With over 30 years of experience in the food & beverage sector, Gary is committed to supporting organizations to become more resilient through standards, training, certification and consulting.Gary began his career in operations and eventually moved to business development working for seasoning, flavor, and functional ingredient manufacturers. He transitioned to supporting industry in the food safety area 15 years ago, most recently as the North American Representative for FSSC.