Bites & Bytes Podcast

AI, Consumer Behavior, and the Future of Food with Andreas Duess

Why do most new food products fail, and what does AI have to do with it?
In this episode of the Bites and Bytes Podcast, you host, Kristin Demoranville,  is joined by Andreas Duess, co-founder of GoCPG and CEO of 6 Seeds, to unpack what’s really driving the food and beverage industry right now.  
Spoiler: it’s not just taste trends or fancy branding.  Its behavior, data, and decisions are made without proper insight.
We talk about:
How AI is helping food brands try to understand real consumer behavior
The say-do gap: why people don’t buy what they say they want
How Uber Eats data, smart fridges, and strained supply chains shape product development
Why big brands are suddenly out-innovating startups
What GLP-1 drugs mean for food categories
And why rebuilding communities around food matters more than ever
Whether you’re in food, tech, or cybersecurity, or just curious about the systems behind what we eat, this episode pulls back the curtain on where the industry is headed.
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Andrea Duess’s contact information & companies:
Andrea’s LinkedIn
Personal Site
6 Seeds is the Communication and Innovation Consultancy for today’s agri-food Brands
goCPG is an AI-powered platform that helps food entrepreneurs and consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands grow by providing personalized insights, mentorship, and tools to turn their ideas into successful businesses.
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🎯 Episode Key Highlights
06:59 The Role of Data in Food Innovation
11:19 Navigating the Fragmented Consumer Market
13:58 AI’s Impact on Data Utilization
19:30 Consumer Awareness and Ethical Considerations
23:13 Supply Chain Challenges and Rising Costs
24:39 The Evolution of Food Security and Pricing
27:55 Climate Change and Its Impact on Agriculture
30:18 Community Resilience in the Face of Crisis
33:45 Building Community Through Food
38:27 AI as a Tool for Meaning and Sense-Making
42:00 The Significance of AI in Daily Life
44:00 AI as a Tool for Innovation
45:00 The Shift in Innovation Dynamics
46:10 The Importance of Embracing AI
48:32 Historical Perspectives on Technology
51:07 Optimism in the Face of Challenges
52:45 The Evolution of Food Trends
54:05 Empowerment Through AI
57:41 Advice for Food Founders
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🎤 Bites and Bytes Podcast Info:
Website: Explore all our episodes, articles, and more on our official Website.  Visit Now
Merch Shop: Show your support with some awesome Bites and Bytes gear! 🧢👕 Shop Now
Blog: Stay updated with the latest insights and stories from the world of cybersecurity in the food industry.  Read Our Blog
Audience Survey: We value your feedback!  Could you help us make the Podcast even better?  Take the Survey
Schedule a Call with Kristin: Want to share your thoughts?  Schedule a meeting with Kristin!  Schedule Now
Socials:  TikTok; Instagram; LinkedIn; Substack
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🛡️ About AnzenSage & AnzenOT
AnzenSage is a women-owned cybersecurity advisory firm specializing in security resilience for the food, agriculture, zoo, and aquarium industries.  AnzenSage offers practical, strategic guidance to help organizations anticipate risks and build resilience.  Their services include:
Security Resilience Advisory
Security Resilience Assessments
Security Awareness & Training
Exercise, Drill & Scenario Workshops
Learn more about their offerings at anzensage.com.​
AnzenOT Industrial Cyber Risk — Simple.  Smart.  Swift.AnzenOT is the SaaS risk management platform built to bring clarity and control to Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity.  Designed for critical infrastructure sectors, AnzenOT translates technical risk into clear, actionable insight for decision-makers.
Key features include:
AI-powered analytics
Quantified risk scoring & impact zones
Compliance & regulatory alignment
ESG integration for sector-specific reporting
Explore the platform at anzenot.comFor demo requests or inquiries, email stuart@anzenot.com or kristin@anzenot.com
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🎤 Book Kristin Demoranville to Speak
Looking to bring a fresh, engaging perspective on cybersecurity to your next event?  Kristin Demoranville, CEO of AnzenSage, co-founder of AnzenOT, and host of the award-winning Bites and Bytes Podcast, is a dynamic speaker who bridges the gap between technology and the industries that feed, sustain, and inspire us.​
With over 25 years of experience in IT and cybersecurity, Kristin has captivated audiences at prestigious conferences such as the American Zoo Association, RSA Conference, S4X24, the Food Safety Consortium, and many more.  Her talks are known for their compelling storytelling, practical insights, and ability to make complex topics accessible and relevant.​
Whether addressing the nuances of cybersecurity in the food industry or the broader implications for critical infrastructure, Kristin’s presentations are tailored to resonate with diverse audiences, encouraging discussion and fostering an inclusive environment.​
To invite Kristin to speak at your conference, corporate event, or workshop, visit anzensage.com/speaking and submit a request.

Tracy Brunet on the Realities of Modern Ranching: From Land to Legacy to Tech

In this compelling episode of the Bites and Bytes Podcast, host Kristin Demoranville sits down with Tracy Brunet, cattle rancher, Canadian Ag media powerhouse, and host of The Impact Farming Show. Broadcasting from her family farm in Southeastern Manitoba, Tracy opens up about the realities of modern agriculture, including land pressures, succession planning, tech adoption, and how family farms are quietly being squeezed out.
Together, Kristin and Tracy examine how smart farming and digital innovation are reshaping the industry, for better or worse. They also unpack the rising threat of agroterrorism and cyber-physical attacks, as well as what happens when farm automation goes wrong. This isn’t your typical farm chat; it's real talk about the challenges and resilience of today’s producers.
Whether you're in ag, food, or tech, this conversation is packed with insights on business, legacy, and safeguarding our food system. Tracy’s passion for farming is contagious, and her straight-shooting perspective on the future of agriculture will leave you thinking long after the episode ends.🎧 This is a sister episode to Tracy’s show, The Impact Farming Show—you can also watch our whole conversation on their YouTube channel: Watch here.
_______________________________________________🎙️  Guest Information: Tracy Brunet
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-brunet-53a204b/Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/tracymbrunet/Farm Marketer:  https://www.farmmarketer.com/
🎙️  The Impact Farming Show:
The Impact Farming Show is a podcast produced by Farm Marketer, created specifically for Canadian farmers who want to thrive in the business of farming. Hosted by Tracy Brunet, a cattle rancher and the CEO of Farm Marketer, the show features conversations with leading farm advisors and industry experts. Each episode offers practical advice on topics like succession planning, financial management, mental health, and the latest in ag innovation. Designed for busy farmers on the move, the show aims to provide insights that help them build successful, resilient farms and pass them on to the next generation.
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@farmmarketer3270
Listen on Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/impact-farming/id1409740089
Listen on Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/0UwMzcGCuFKkvlzJgOmhRl?si=00dacd734e1840c3
_______________________________________________🎯 Episode Key Highlights(00:14:05) – Land Developers, Pressure, and Displacement of Family Farms(00:19:17) – Succession Planning & Inheritance Struggles in Ag(00:24:48) – What Happens When Cyber Risk Hits the Ranch(00:35:55) – Real Incidents: Cyber Attacks on Dairy & Meat Industries(00:42:59) – The Risk of Connected Equipment & Smart Tech on the Farm(00:47:34) – Agroterrorism & Espionage: The Physical-Digital Crossover(00:55:12) – When Cyber Attacks Lead to Loss of Life on Farms
_______________________________________________Show Notes:
🔗 Resources and Further Reading
Farm Succession Planning
Passing Down The Family Farm with Clint Fischer | Episode 240Tracy discusses the intricacies of farm transition planning with Clint Fischer, emphasizing the importance of early and strategic planning.Watch the episode​
TOP 10 Farm Transition Planning Mistakes with Tracy BrunetAn insightful episode where Tracy outlines common pitfalls in farm succession planning and offers practical advice to avoid them.Watch the episode​
Precision Agriculture
Benefits and Evolution of Precision AgricultureAn overview by USDA ARS on how precision agriculture tools enhance farming efficiency and sustainability.Read the article​
Precision Agriculture in the Digital EraA report detailing recent trends in the adoption of precision technologies on U.S. farms.Access the report​
Cybersecurity in Agriculture
Ransomware Attack Paralyzes Milking Robots—Cow DeadAn incident highlighting the real-world consequences of cybersecurity breaches in agriculture.Read the article​
Why the Food & Agriculture Industry Needs Cyber InsuranceAn overview of how cyber insurance can safeguard farming operations against digital threats.Download the PDF​
Agroterrorism and Food Security
Agroterrorism: Threats to America's Economy and Food SupplyAn FBI investigation into the threats posed by agroterrorism to the agricultural sector.Read the article​
Agroterrorism & Cyber Threats: How Farms Are Under AttackIn this episode of the Bites and Bytes Podcast, we discuss deliberately targeting farms, livestock, and food supply chains to incite fear, economic damage, or ideological change.Listen on Apple PodcastsListen on Spotify​
JBS Ransomware Attack (2021)
A cyberattack in the meat industry was used to illustrate how digital risks can halt real-world production.
BBC Article
BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy)
Also known as "mad cow disease." Tracy mentions that the outbreak stalled their early plans to start a beef ranch.
Canadian Food Inspection Agency: BSE Overview
Lab-Grown Meat and Food Technology
Foods Produced Using Animal Cell Culture TechnologyInformation from the FDA on the development and regulation of lab-grown meat products.Download the PDF
Solar Flare & GPS Disruption in Precision Ag
Tractor GPS knocked out by Solar Flares during Harvest 2024
NASA Overview
Cutting Horses
The term "cutting horses" refers to agile saddle horses trained to separate individual animals from a herd of cattle. They possess an innate ability called "cow sense," allowing them to anticipate and respond to a cow's movements without direct guidance from the rider. This skill is essential in cutting competitions, where the horse must prevent a separated cow from returning to the herd. Wikipedia
_______________________________________________💡 Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2025 Stakeholders Summit
If you enjoyed our episode on agroterrorism and cyber threats to farms, featuring the Animal Agriculture Alliance, here’s another opportunity to explore critical conversations about our food system.  And if you haven’t listened yet, check it out here:
🎙 Episode Link: Agroterrorism & Cyber Threats – How Farms Are Under Attack📢 Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
The 2025 Stakeholders Summit, happening April 30 – May 2 in Arlington, VA, will bring together industry leaders from farms, food processing, retail, and more to discuss sustainability and the future of animal agriculture.  This year’s theme, “Food for Thought: Dishing on Sustainability,” focuses on collaboration and innovation to shape the future of food production.
Reserve your seat at the table—register by April 25!
🔗 Learn more and register: 2025 Stakeholders Summit🔗 About the Animal Agriculture Alliance: AnimalAgAlliance.org
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🎤 Bites and Bytes Podcast Info:
Website: Explore all our episodes, articles, and more on our official Website.  Visit Now
Merch Shop: Show your support with some awesome Bites and Bytes gear! 🧢👕 Shop Now
Blog: Stay updated with the latest insights and stories from the world of cybersecurity in the food industry.  Read Our Blog
Audience Survey: We value your feedback!  Help us make the podcast even better.  Take the Survey
Schedule a Call with Kristin: Share Your Thoughts. Schedule a meeting with Kristin!  Schedule Now
Socials:  TikTok; Instagram; LinkedIn
_______________________________________________
🛡️ About AnzenSage & AnzenOT
AnzenSage is a women-owned cybersecurity advisory firm specializing in security resilience for the food, agriculture, zoo, and aquarium industries.  AnzenSage offers practical, strategic guidance to help organizations anticipate risks and build resilience. Their services include:
Security Resilience Advisory
Security Resilience Assessments
Security Awareness & Training
Exercise, Drill & Scenario Workshops
Learn more about their offerings at anzensage.com.​
AnzenOT Industrial Cyber Risk — Simple. Smart. Swift.AnzenOT is the SaaS risk management platform built to bring clarity and control to Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity.  Designed for critical infrastructure sectors, AnzenOT translates technical risk into clear, actionable insight for decision-makers.
Key features include:
AI-powered analytics
Quantified risk scoring & impact zones
Compliance & regulatory alignment
ESG integration for sector-specific reporting
Explore the platform at anzenot.comFor demo requests or inquiries, email stuart@anzenot.com or kristin@anzenot.com

Securing Food Systems with a Defense Mindset with Brian Schleifer

💡 What can the food industry learn from 25+ years of defense cybersecurity experience?
In this episode of the Bites and Bytes Podcast, host Kristin Demoranville talks with Brian Schleifer, a cybersecurity expert with a career spanning the U.S. Air Force, Department of Defense systems, and advanced cyber-physical risk management.  Together, they unpack how the principles of defense cybersecurity, from risk modeling to system resilience, can help protect the food and agriculture sector, one of the most vulnerable critical infrastructures.
This episode explores:
✅  What precision agriculture and defense systems have in common
✅  Why autonomous tractors and food processing systems are prime targets
✅  The reality of protecting proprietary food data and recipes
✅  Cyber-physical risks in modern farming and food production
Whether you work in OT, IT, food safety, risk management, or supply chain, this episode is packed with real talk and relatable analogies (plus homemade tortillas and schnitzel get shoutouts).  Tune in to hear why safety and security must go hand in hand — and what it really means to secure the systems that feed the world.
⚠️Disclaimer: The views expressed by Brian Schleifer are his own and do not represent the Department of Defense, his employer, or any government entity._______________________________________________🎙️ Guest Information: Brian Schleifer, MBA
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-schleifer/
People Add Value Experience (P.A.V.E.) Podcast: Hosted by Brian, the People Add Value Experience (P.A.V.E.) podcast explores how individuals contribute to adding value across various aspects of life. Topics include fostering and adoption, professional development, and small business insights.​
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/people-add-value-experience/id1691150774
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@P.A.V.E.
_______________________________________________🎯 Episode Key Highlights
00:17:00)  – Caterpillar as a Cybersecurity Model for Ag & Food Systems(00:19:50) – The Solar Flare That Took Out GPS on Tractors(00:24:50) – Is Food Data Secret? Yes — Here’s Why It Matters(00:14:41) – What Food & Ag Can Learn from the Defense Sector(00:21:01) – What a Strategic Attack on Food Infrastructure Might Look Like(00:29:43) – Leadership Failure & Lessons from the Peanut Corporation Disaster(00:37:54) – Why Food Cybersecurity Must Be Treated Like Safety(00:38:04) – Cyber PHAs: Planning for the “What Ifs” in Food Systems(00:45:20) – The Case for Sector-Specific Cyber Frameworks(00:52:00) – When Donuts Got Hacked: The Krispy Kreme Incident(00:52:21) – McDonald’s Onions & Public Awareness of Food Supply Risk(00:53:00) – Ukraine’s War Rippled Through the Wheat Market(00:54:30) – Fiber-Optic Drones and the Future of Cyber-Physical Warfare(00:56:10) – Meet Brian’s Podcast: People Add Value Experience (P.A.V.E.)
_______________________________________________Show Notes:
📚 Books & Documentaries Mentioned:
Salt Sugar Fat by Michael Moss – A behind-the-scenes look at how processed food is engineered for maximum appeal — mentioned in Brian’s discussion about food memory and food science.https://a.co/d/byO516w
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg – Referenced during the conversation on safety culture, behavioral change, and leadership accountability.https://a.co/d/9YwlmM6
Mindset by Dr. Carol Dweck – brought up in the context of continuous learning and a growth mindset in cybersecurity and industry adaptation.https://a.co/d/9aherBX
Poisoned (Netflix documentary featuring Dr. Darren Dettweiler) – Recommended by Kristin as a must-watch on food safety failures, systemic vulnerabilities, and public health.https://www.netflix.com/title/81460481
Sandworm: A New Era of Cyberwar and the Hunt for the Kremlin’s Most Dangerous Hackers by Andy Greenberg –Brian mentioned the NotPetya cyberattack and its impact on global shipping and food supply chains.https://a.co/d/eWmJH8Y
🧠 Key Terms & Concepts:
Risk Management Framework (RMF) – NIST SP 800-37Referenced in Brian’s experience assessing and implementing cybersecurity controls in defense systems.
STPA-SEC – System-Theoretic Process Analysis for Security (MIT)A systems thinking approach to security based on safety analysis is used by Brian in his academic and professional work.
CMMC – Cybersecurity Maturity Model CertificationBrought up during the discussion on compliance and upcoming requirements for government contractors and vendors.
Cyber-Physical Systems Overview – NISTUsed to frame how digital systems interact with the physical world — particularly in agriculture, food processing, and defense.
IEC 62443 – Industrial Cybersecurity StandardA referenced framework used across OT/ICS environments to manage and mitigate industrial cybersecurity risk.
NIST SP 800-171Cited when talking about supply chain risk, CMMC alignment, and government-facing compliance.
Cyber PHA – Process Hazard Analysis for Cybersecurity Kristin mentioned it as a structured, scenario-based approach to evaluating cyber and safety risks together.
OSHA – Occupational Safety and Health AdministrationDiscussed in comparison to cybersecurity maturity. Brian questioned when formal safety began in industry and compared that moment in history to where cybersecurity is now — on the cusp of needing the same level of attention and resource allocation.
Glenda Snodgrass – Cybersecurity Training & TalksBrian mentioned seeing her speak and appreciated how she used real examples—both good and bad—of how to answer security controls effectively.
⚠️ Real-World Incidents & Case Studies:
Peanut Corporation of America – CDC Overview – Discussed as a case where lack of oversight and bad leadership led to a deadly food safety crisis.
Boar’s Head recall and plant shutdown – USDA FSIS – Cited as an example of how safety and cybersecurity intersect and impact real communities.
JBS ransomware attack – BBC – Used to illustrate food supply chain vulnerabilities to cyber incidents.
Caterpillar vulnerability disclosure – Referenced in Brian’s praise of Caterpillar’s proactive cybersecurity maturity.
John Deere Right to Repair agreement – BBC – Discussed as a milestone in agricultural autonomy and cybersecurity implications for farmers.
Solar Flare & GPS Disruption in Precision Ag – NASA Overview – Referenced by Kristin when discussing how non-cyber events (like solar flares) affect precision farming and GPS reliance.
Krispy Kreme Hack Kristin mentioned this as a food-related cyber incident that gained attention. The event highlighted third-party risk in the food sector and how public perception shapes urgency.
McDonald’s E. coli Outbreak (2024) – CDC OverviewKristin mentioned this outbreak was tied to slivered onions on McDonald’s Quarter Pounders. It resulted in over 100 illnesses and one death, highlighting the risk of contamination in fast food supply chains and the importance of upstream safety controls.
NotPetya Cyberattack – WiredBrian referenced this attack when discussing the global ripple effects of cyber incidents. NotPetya began as a targeted attack on Ukraine but quickly spread, shutting down shipping giant Maersk and affecting food and seafood shipments worldwide.
NotPetya & Maersk Supply Chain Impact – Control EngineeringAn in-depth look at how NotPetya disrupted global logistics, causing massive economic losses and underscoring the vulnerability of supply chains that include critical goods like food.
Cyberattacks on Ukraine’s Power Grid - ReutersInstances where cyber warfare targeted critical infrastructure, leading to significant blackouts and highlighting the vulnerabilities in national energy systems, are discussed.
Impact on Ukraine’s Food Supply – EU CouncilMentioned how the conflict has disrupted agricultural production and exports, exacerbating global food security concerns.
Deployment of Fiber-Optic-Controlled Drones in the Ukraine Conflict – RFE/RLMentioned in the context of technological advancements in warfare, drones controlled via fiber optics are utilized to evade electronic jamming.
Disruption of the Global Wheat Market Due to the Ukraine Conflict – ScienceDirectDiscussed as a significant consequence of the war, where the invasion led to a surge in wheat prices, exacerbating global food insecurity, especially in import-dependent countries
🏛️ Organizations & Events:
Purdue University – Brian is completing his PhD on embedded system cybersecurity, bridging multiple critical sectors.
Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Cybersecurity Conference – The event where Kristin and Brian first connected; focused on OT, ICS, and critical infrastructure cybersecurity.
_______________________________________________💡 Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2025 Stakeholders Summit
If you enjoyed our episode on agroterrorism and cyber threats to farms, featuring the Animal Agriculture Alliance, here’s another opportunity to explore critical conversations about our food system.  And if you haven’t listened yet, check it out here:
🎙 Episode Link: Agroterrorism & Cyber Threats – How Farms Are Under Attack📢 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify
The 2025 Stakeholders Summit, happening April 30 – May 2 in Arlington, VA, will bring together industry leaders from farms, food processing, retail, and more to discuss sustainability and the future of animal agriculture.  This year’s theme, “Food for Thought: Dishing on Sustainability,” focuses on collaboration and innovation to shape the future of food production.
Reserve your seat at the table—register by April 25!
🔗 Learn more and register: 2025 Stakeholders Summit🔗 About the Animal Agriculture Alliance: AnimalAgAlliance.org
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🎤 Bites and Bytes Podcast Info:
Website: Explore all our episodes, articles, and more on our official Website.  Visit Now
Merch Shop: Show your support with some awesome Bites and Bytes gear! 🧢👕 Shop Now
Blog: Stay updated with the latest insights and stories from the world of cybersecurity in the food industry.  Read Our Blog
Audience Survey: We value your feedback!  Help us make the podcast even better.  Take the Survey
Schedule a Call with Kristin: Want to share your thoughts?  Schedule a meeting with Kristin!  Schedule Now
Socials:  TikTok; Instagram; LinkedIn

Cybersecurity Shouldn’t Suck: Fixing the Real Problems with Tom Sego

What happens when cyber threats hit critical infrastructure?
In this episode of the Bites and Bytes Podcast, host Kristin Demoranville sits down with Tom Sego, a cybersecurity leader with a fascinating background from chemical engineering to Apple to professional poker, now focused on making security simpler and more effective for critical infrastructure as CEO at Blastwave.
Cyber risks in critical industries are real, but so are the solutions. Kristin and Tom discuss why current security models create more problems than they solve, how the human element is often overlooked, and what needs to change to make security actually work for the people keeping our systems running.
🔎 In this episode, we unpack:
✅ How cyber threats can disrupt production & cold storage 🚜❄️✅ Why critical infrastructure sectors struggle with cybersecurity adoption 🛑✅ The AI-powered cyber threats targeting supply chains 🤖💥✅ The human side of security—trust, simplicity, and keeping people safe 🛡️✅ Why passwords are outdated and cause more harm than good✅ How security teams can build trust instead of friction✅ And yes… we also talk about wine, food obsessions, and French pastries 🍷🥐
Whether you’re in OT, security, or just sick of cybersecurity being unnecessarily complicated, this episode is packed with insights, humor, and real solutions. _______________________________________________
🎯 Episode Key Highlights
00:00:20) - Introduction to the Episode & Guest: Tom Sego(00:01:20) - Guest’s Favorite Food & Food Memories(00:05:54) - Tom Sego’s Background & Career Journey(00:09:23) - The Ukraine Electric Grid Hack: A Pivotal Moment for Tom(00:10:51) - The Importance of OT Security & Community Building(00:11:26) - How Tom & Kristin Met – A Conversation Over Wine(00:14:43) - Why Tom Founded BlastWave & His Mission(00:16:21) - The Human Factor in Cybersecurity & Biggest OT Risks(00:19:17) - The Future of Cyber Threats in OT & Supply Chains(00:24:04) - Mid-Episode Break: Celebrating 8,000 Downloads!(00:26:07) - Why Farmers & Food Producers Struggle with Cybersecurity(00:32:46) - Real-World Cold Storage Cybersecurity Risks(00:37:50) - How AI is Impacting Cybersecurity & Attack Strategies(00:40:39) - Cyber-Physical Security & Real-World Consequences(00:42:27) - Trust in Cybersecurity: Why It’s Critical for OT(00:43:26) - Final Takeaways: Tom’s Advice for Staying Secure(00:44:31) - The Role of AI in Cybersecurity: Opportunities & Risks(00:45:17) - Outro & Closing Remarks
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Show Notes
🔹 Cyber-Attack Against Ukrainian Critical Infrastructure:
https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/ics-alerts/ir-alert-h-16-056-01
🔹 Zim Ketter’s Wired Magazine Article about Ukraine’s Power Grid Hack:
https://www.wired.com/2016/03/inside-cunning-unprecedented-hack-ukraines-power-grid/
🔹 Port of Beirut, Lebanon ammonium nitrate explosion:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7985624/
_______________________________________________Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2025 Stakeholders Summit
If you enjoyed our episode on agroterrorism and cyber threats to farms featuring the Animal Agriculture Alliance, here’s another opportunity to explore critical conversations about our food system. And if you haven’t listened yet, check it out here:
🎙 Episode Link: Agroterrorism & Cyber Threats – How Farms Are Under Attack📢 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify
The 2025 Stakeholders Summit, happening April 30 – May 2 in Arlington, VA, will bring together industry leaders from farms, food processing, retail, and more to discuss sustainability and the future of animal agriculture. This year’s theme, “Food for Thought: Dishing on Sustainability,” focuses on collaboration and innovation to shape the future of food production.
Reserve your seat at the table—register by April 25!
🔗 Learn more and register: 2025 Stakeholders Summit🔗 About the Animal Agriculture Alliance: AnimalAgAlliance.org
_______________________________________________
Wicked6 is about women coming together to play cyber games and learn about careers in cybersecurity.
🔥 March 28-30, 2025 – a three-day, global, virtual Hack & Chat event where women worldwide come together to play cyber games, compete, learn, and connect.
💡 We’ve got international speakers, technical talks, hands-on workshops, and of course…the GAMES!  Think Capture the Flag, Attack & Defend, and a high-stakes team tournament—all virtually streamed LIVE!
✨ Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned pro, there’s a game for you.  Plus, there’s networking, prizes, merch, and so much more!
💻 Sign up now at Wicked6.com, and let’s LEVEL UP together! 🔥💪
🎤 Want to share your story?  Call for speakers & technical workshops is OPEN!📹 Ever wonder what cybersecurity careers look like?  Submit a “Day in the Life” video!🙌 Passionate about supporting women in cyber?  Join us as a volunteer or referee!🤝 And companies—be a sponsor!  Help empower the next generation of women in cybersecurity.
🚀 Attack & Defense Call for Volunteers – Help design the next big challenge!  If you’re a seasoned challenge developer, step up and create a mind-bending cyber challenge for the competition. Just remember—developers can’t compete! 🤯🔐 Sign up here: 🔗 Volunteer Form
🌍 Meet the Wicked6 2025 Advisory Board! This powerhouse team of women is driving the mission forward, building an event that’s about competition, connection, and career growth. Get to know them here: 🔗 Advisory Board  - you will see your Bites and Bytes Podcast host there!
_______________________________________________
Bites and Bytes Podcast Info:
Website: Explore all our episodes, articles, and more on our official website.  Visit Now
Merch Shop: Show your support with some awesome Bites and Bytes gear! 🧢👕 Shop Now
Blog: Stay updated with the latest insights and stories from the world of cybersecurity in the food industry.  Read Our Blog
Audience Survey: We value your feedback!  Help us make the podcast even better.  Take the Survey
Schedule a Call with Kristin: Want to share your thoughts?  Schedule a meeting with Kristin!  Schedule Now
Socials:  TikTok; Instagram; LinkedIn

Agroterrorism & Cyber Threats: How Farms Are Under Attack

📢 Listener Advisory: This episode discusses unsettling topics, including terrorism, animal harm, cult-like groups, radical activism, and threats to food security. Listener discretion is advised.
What happens when terrorism targets the food we eat?  In this eye-opening episode of Bites and Bytes Podcast, we explore agroterrorism—the deliberate targeting of farms, livestock, and food supply chains to incite fear, economic damage, or ideological change.
Joining host Kristin Demoranville are three leading experts in agriculture, risk management, and security:
👩‍🌾 Hannah Thompson-Weeman – President & CEO of the Animal Agriculture Alliance, Hannah is a leading voice in protecting animal agriculture from activist threats and misinformation.  She has dedicated her career to connecting the food supply chain and defending farms against radical actors.
📜 Michael Urbanik – Insurance and risk management expert at R.K. Tongue Co., Inc., Michael works closely with businesses to understand their vulnerabilities and create protection strategies against emerging threats, including agroterrorism and cybercrime.
🌎 Andrew Rose - A Bites and Bytes Podcast repeat guest, Andrew is a visionary AgFuturist and cybersecurity strategist. He is focused on mitigating threats to agriculture that are generations ahead of their time. As an advisor to BIO-ISAC and an expert in food and climate security, he brings a crucial perspective on the evolving risks to our food systems.
🛑 Who should listen?
Farmers & Ranchers – Protect your livelihood from security threats.
Food Industry Professionals – Learn about supply chain risks and disruptions.
Cybersecurity & Risk Experts – Understand the intersection of cybercrime and agriculture.
Policy Makers & Regulators – Gain insights into the evolving threats to food security.
Concerned Consumers – Get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to keep our food supply safe.
🔍 In this episode, we discuss:
What agroterrorism is (and what it isn’t)
How extremist groups are infiltrating farms and food supply chains
The role of cyberattacks in disrupting agriculture
The impact of activism, misinformation, and social engineering on food production
Best practices for protecting farms and food systems
Real-world examples of agroterrorist incidents and their consequences
Food security is national security.  Join us for a gripping discussion on why agriculture is under attack—and what we can do to defend it.
_______________________________________________
Episode Key Highlights
(0:08:09) - What is Agroterrorism? (0:11:56) - Economic and Social Impact(0:16:42) - Detection Challenges(0:19:16) - Cybersecurity’s Role(0:23:36) - Radical Activism(0:25:03) - Protective Measures for Farmers(0:29:20) - Do We Have the Right Skills?(0:33:38) - Real Agroterrorism Cases(0:38:59) - Cyberbullying & Threats(0:42:22) - Mental Health Toll(0:50:20) - How Cyber Experts Can Help(1:00:15) - Final Thoughts
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Show Notes:
FBI Definition of Agroterrorism:
https://leb.fbi.gov/articles/featured-articles/agroterrorism-threats-to-americas-economy-and-food-supply#:~:text=A%20subset%20of%20bioterrorism%2C%20agroterrorism,from%20four%20categories%20of%20perpetrators.
Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA)
https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-markets-financial-institutions-and-fiscal-service/federal-insurance-office/terrorism-risk-insurance-program
Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act:
https://www.congress.gov/109/plaws/publ374/PLAW-109publ374.pdf
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