Cybersecurity in manufacturing: EuroSort’s approach
EuroSort is a leading company in the world of high-speed unit and shipping sorting technology. The company works with some of the world’s largest organisations across industries including apparel, consumer goods, postal services, parcel delivery and logistics. With more than 400 sorting solutions, cybersecurity is crucial to its operations.
A business contact of Edwin van Kempen, commercial director at EuroSort, once paid an invoice from what appeared to be a supplier. It turned out to be a phishing email. Although EuroSort had never experienced a cyberattack itself, the incident convinced Edwin that cybersecurity needed to be taken seriously.
“Working with SBL has really helped us take the security of our systems to the next level. Their flexible approach and clear communication make them a valuable partner for us.”
- Edwin van Kempen, commercial director at EuroSort
The challenge
Cybersecurity: when is additional protection necessary?
EuroSort already had endpoint security, firewalls and a structured backup solution in place. However, when cybersecurity is not your core focus, how do you determine whether your existing security measures are sufficient?
Edwin realised that the company was vulnerable to cyber threats, particularly through external infrastructure such as printing systems. “A cybercriminal can use these systems to gain access to your network relatively easily,” he emphasised.
EuroSort also developed software that connects to sorting machines at customer sites. “Our customers want to be certain that our systems are secure and do not contain malware or other threats that could infect their own networks,” Edwin explains. The standalone nature of their systems, which operate offline and only connect for updates, provides protection, but EuroSort wanted to be certain that the necessary safeguards were in place.
Ton de Nijs, manager organisation support and responsible for cybersecurity within EuroSort, notes that it is important for companies not to become complacent and to continue improving their security. “Cybersecurity is a constantly changing landscape, and it is crucial to stay up to date with the latest threats and technologies.”
The solution
EuroSort strengthens its security with proactive cyber monitoring
Edwin and Ton initially held extensive discussions with SBL about the company’s potential risks, based on the configuration of its IT systems.
Following this assessment of the cyber risks, they decided to connect WatchEagle to several data sources. These included the physical network, the Microsoft 365 environment and the backup systems.
Ton speaks with SBL every month to discuss the reports, including system changes and alerts relating to EuroSort. When SBL identifies an alert that requires action, it immediately contacts EuroSort and its IT provider to address the threat. In other words, SBL provides support during incident response.
Ton and Edwin appreciate the way SBL explains complex cybersecurity issues in understandable terms. “They explain everything very clearly, without providing too much technical detail, so we genuinely understand what is happening and what needs to be done,” Edwin says. This enabled EuroSort to set priorities and take action based on SBL’s recommendations.
SBL also provided access to specialist expertise, which was essential for EuroSort. “It is extremely valuable that we can approach SBL with questions about subjects such as NIS2,” Ton says. This expertise, combined with SBL’s network of specialists, enabled EuroSort to focus on its core business, knowing that its cybersecurity was in capable hands.
The result
Secure and prepared
- Effective network security. The implementation of SBL’s monitoring solution has helped EuroSort significantly improve its cybersecurity.
- Prepared for cyber threats. “It is reassuring that they explain everything so clearly during the monthly meetings,” Ton says. As a result, EuroSort is better prepared for potential cyber threats and can take proactive measures to improve its security.
- Potential incidents are addressed at an early stage. When SBL detected data traffic to servers in unusual countries, it investigated the activity. This has allowed EuroSort to stay ahead of genuine security risks.
