GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Cybersecurity In The Grocery Industry Statistics

The grocery industry has experienced a significant increase in cyber attacks, with 30% of companies reporting a breach in the past year and an average cost of $2.5 million per incident.

Highlights: Cybersecurity In The Grocery Industry Statistics

  • Nearly 80% of grocery retailers reported cybersecurity as one of the top five risks their organizations faced.
  • 20% of grocery stores have experienced data breaches, from small regional chains to national retailers.
  • 1 out of every 8 grocery retailers don’t scan for vulnerabilities in their infrastructure.
  • The average purchase amount of a cyber-attack on a grocery store is around $50,000.
  • 15% of grocery cyber-attacks led to the theft of more than 1 million records in 2018.
  • Nearly 60% of grocery retailers do not have a sufficient budget for adequate cybersecurity measures.
  • Over 87% of consumers said they would avoid patronizing a retailer or grocery store if they knew the company had suffered a cybersecurity breach.
  • 33% of malware attacks targeting the retail sector aimed at grocery stores in 2018.
  • Data breaches in the grocery industry have resulted in a loss of over $30 billion in the past five years.
  • Phishing emails targeting grocery retailers increased by 11% in 2020.
  • Over 50% of cyber incidents occurring against grocery retailers were made possible due to weak access controls.
  • In 2020, around 37% of grocery retailers reported having experienced a cyber attack exploiting a mobile device vulnerability.
  • 57% of grocery retailers had outdated or unsupported hardware or software in their IT infrastructures in 2020, increasing their vulnerability to cyber-attacks.
  • Less than 30% of grocery retailers perform third-party cybersecurity risk assessments.
  • Approximately 88% of grocery industry professionals said they were confident in their cybersecurity, despite many companies' lack of dedicated IT staff.
  • It’s estimated that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused an increase of at least 40% in cyber threats targeting online grocery shopping platforms.
  • According to research, 52% of grocery retailers prioritize improving cybersecurity measures to protect customer data over other operational investments.
  • A study found that only 36% of grocery retailers regularly conduct cybersecurity training for their staff.

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The Latest Cybersecurity In The Grocery Industry Statistics Explained

Nearly 80% of grocery retailers reported cybersecurity as one of the top five risks their organizations faced.

The statistic indicates that a significant majority, specifically almost 80%, of grocery retailers have identified cybersecurity as one of the top five risks their organizations are currently facing. This suggests that grocery retailers are increasingly recognizing the importance of protecting their digital assets, customer data, and overall business operations from potential cyber threats and attacks. The high percentage highlights the growing awareness within the industry regarding the serious implications that cyber incidents can have on business continuity, reputation, and financial stability. It also emphasizes the need for grocery retailers to continue investing in cybersecurity measures to mitigate these risks and safeguard their operations in an increasingly digital and interconnected world.

20% of grocery stores have experienced data breaches, from small regional chains to national retailers.

This statistic indicates that a significant portion, specifically 20%, of grocery stores, ranging from small regional chains to large national retailers, have fallen victim to data breaches. Data breaches in this context refer to unauthorized access to sensitive information such as customer personal data, payment details, or proprietary business information. The fact that data breaches have occurred across a wide spectrum of grocery stores suggests that security vulnerabilities exist in the industry regardless of the store size or scale. This statistic underscores the ongoing challenge that grocery stores face in protecting their information assets and the need for robust cybersecurity measures to mitigate the risk of data breaches.

1 out of every 8 grocery retailers don’t scan for vulnerabilities in their infrastructure.

This statistic indicates that among grocery retailers, there is a significant proportion that does not conduct regular scans to identify vulnerabilities in their infrastructure. Specifically, it suggests that approximately 12.5% of grocery retailers are not actively monitoring their systems for potential weaknesses that could be exploited by hackers or lead to security breaches. Failing to scan for vulnerabilities leaves these retailers susceptible to cyber threats and puts sensitive customer data at risk. It underscores the importance of implementing robust cybersecurity measures to protect both the retailers themselves and their customers from potential security breaches.

The average purchase amount of a cyber-attack on a grocery store is around $50,000.

The statistic indicates that the average financial impact of a cyber-attack on a grocery store is approximately $50,000. This amount represents the average monetary loss incurred by a grocery store as a result of a cyber-attack, which could involve various forms of cybercrime such as data breaches, ransomware attacks, or payment fraud. The $50,000 figure reflects the average cost to the business in terms of direct financial losses, potential recovery costs, reputation damage, and other associated expenses. It highlights the substantial financial risk that cyber-attacks pose to grocery stores and underscores the importance of implementing robust cybersecurity measures to prevent and mitigate such incidents.

15% of grocery cyber-attacks led to the theft of more than 1 million records in 2018.

This statistic indicates that in 2018, 15% of cyber-attacks targeted at grocery stores resulted in the theft of more than 1 million records containing sensitive information. This suggests a significant level of risk and impact associated with cyber-attacks within the grocery industry, highlighting the potential for large-scale data breaches that can compromise the personal and financial information of customers. The statistic underscores the importance for grocery stores to prioritize cybersecurity measures and invest in robust strategies to safeguard their data and protect both their customers and their own business interests.

Nearly 60% of grocery retailers do not have a sufficient budget for adequate cybersecurity measures.

The statistic indicates that a significant majority, approximately 60%, of grocery retailers lack the necessary financial resources to implement and maintain robust cybersecurity measures. This suggests that a large portion of the grocery retail industry may be vulnerable to cyber threats and attacks due to inadequate investment in protective measures such as firewalls, encryption, employee training, and security software. The potential consequences of insufficient cybersecurity funding could include data breaches, ransomware attacks, and theft of sensitive customer information, highlighting the importance for grocery retailers to prioritize cybersecurity in order to safeguard their operations and reputation.

Over 87% of consumers said they would avoid patronizing a retailer or grocery store if they knew the company had suffered a cybersecurity breach.

This statistic indicates that a significant majority of consumers, specifically over 87%, would intentionally avoid shopping at a retailer or grocery store if they were aware that the company had experienced a cybersecurity breach. This finding underscores the growing concern among consumers regarding the security of their personal and financial information when engaging with businesses. The potential implications for companies in the retail and grocery sector are significant, as a cybersecurity breach can not only lead to financial losses and reputational damage but also result in a loss of customer trust and loyalty. As such, organizations in these industries must prioritize cybersecurity measures to safeguard their systems and data, and to maintain consumer confidence and continued business success.

33% of malware attacks targeting the retail sector aimed at grocery stores in 2018.

The statistic indicates that approximately one-third (33%) of malware attacks targeting the retail sector in 2018 were specifically aimed at grocery stores. This suggests that grocery stores were a significant target for cybercriminals launching malware attacks during that year. The specific targeting of grocery stores highlights the vulnerability of this particular segment within the retail sector to cyber threats. Retailers in the grocery industry may need to enhance their cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive customer and financial data from potential attacks in the future, given the prevalence and severity of such threats in the digital landscape.

Data breaches in the grocery industry have resulted in a loss of over $30 billion in the past five years.

This statistic highlights the significant financial impact that data breaches have had on the grocery industry over the past five years, amounting to a substantial loss of over $30 billion in total. Data breaches occur when sensitive information such as customer payment details, personal data, or proprietary business information is compromised, often through cyber-attacks or security vulnerabilities. The grocery industry is particularly vulnerable to such breaches due to the large volume of transactions and data processed daily. The financial repercussions of these breaches not only include direct losses from fraud and theft but also can lead to costs associated with investigations, legal proceedings, and reputational damage. Organizations in the grocery industry must prioritize cybersecurity measures to mitigate the risk of data breaches and protect both their finances and reputation.

Phishing emails targeting grocery retailers increased by 11% in 2020.

The statistic ‘Phishing emails targeting grocery retailers increased by 11% in 2020′ indicates that the frequency of fraudulent emails attempting to deceive individuals into revealing sensitive information such as login credentials or financial details has grown by 11% specifically within the grocery retail sector over the course of 2020. This increase suggests a heightened level of cyber threats and security risks faced by grocery retailers, potentially leading to more incidents of data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage. Grocery retailers should therefore prioritize enhancing their cybersecurity measures and providing comprehensive training to employees to mitigate the risks associated with phishing attacks and safeguard their customers’ confidential information.

Over 50% of cyber incidents occurring against grocery retailers were made possible due to weak access controls.

The statistic suggests that more than half of the cyber incidents targeting grocery retailers were enabled by inadequate access controls. Access controls are mechanisms that determine who has permission to access specific networks, systems, or data within an organization. Weak access controls make it easier for malicious actors to infiltrate a retailer’s digital infrastructure, potentially leading to data breaches, theft of sensitive information, disruption of services, and other cybercrimes. This statistic underscores the critical importance of implementing robust cybersecurity measures, such as enforcing strong authentication protocols, regularly updating access permissions, and monitoring for suspicious activities, to protect grocery retailers and their customers from cyber threats.

In 2020, around 37% of grocery retailers reported having experienced a cyber attack exploiting a mobile device vulnerability.

In 2020, approximately 37% of grocery retailers reported encountering a cyber attack that targeted a vulnerability in mobile devices. This statistic suggests that a significant portion of grocery retailers faced security breaches where hackers exploited weaknesses in mobile technology to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or disrupt operations. The prevalence of such attacks highlights the importance of implementing robust cybersecurity measures to protect against vulnerabilities in mobile devices and safeguard the integrity and security of retailers’ systems and data. It also underscores the need for ongoing vigilance and investment in cybersecurity defenses to mitigate the risks posed by cyber threats in today’s digital environment.

57% of grocery retailers had outdated or unsupported hardware or software in their IT infrastructures in 2020, increasing their vulnerability to cyber-attacks.

The statistic states that 57% of grocery retailers in 2020 were using outdated or unsupported hardware or software within their IT systems, which left them vulnerable to cyber-attacks. This means that a significant portion of grocery retailers were operating with technology that may have lacked necessary security updates or patches, potentially exposing them to security breaches and data theft. Having outdated or unsupported IT infrastructure can increase the risk of cyber-attacks, such as malware infections, ransomware attacks, or data breaches, which could have negative consequences for both the retailers and their customers. Addressing these vulnerabilities through regular maintenance, updates, and proper cybersecurity measures is essential to protect sensitive information and maintain the trust of consumers in the retail industry.

Less than 30% of grocery retailers perform third-party cybersecurity risk assessments.

The statistic indicates that a majority of grocery retailers, specifically less than 30%, do not engage in the practice of conducting third-party cybersecurity risk assessments. This suggests that there is a significant gap in cybersecurity risk management within the grocery retail industry, potentially leaving these retailers vulnerable to cyber threats and security breaches. By not assessing the cybersecurity risks associated with their third-party vendors and partners, these grocery retailers may not fully understand or address their security vulnerabilities, which could have serious implications for the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of their data and systems. Therefore, there is a pressing need for grocery retailers to prioritize cybersecurity risk assessments and strengthen their security measures to mitigate potential threats and protect both their business operations and consumer data.

Approximately 88% of grocery industry professionals said they were confident in their cybersecurity, despite many companies’ lack of dedicated IT staff.

The statistic indicates that a large majority of grocery industry professionals feel confident in their cybersecurity measures, despite the fact that many companies in the industry do not have dedicated IT staff. This suggests that there may be gaps or shortcomings in the understanding of cybersecurity risks and the resources needed to effectively protect against potential threats. The discrepancy between the perceived confidence level and the lack of dedicated IT staff raises concerns about the actual effectiveness of the cybersecurity measures in place within the industry. It emphasizes the importance of investing in proper cybersecurity resources and expertise to adequately safeguard sensitive data and prevent potential cyber attacks.

It’s estimated that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused an increase of at least 40% in cyber threats targeting online grocery shopping platforms.

The statistic indicates that there has been a significant surge in cyber threats targeting online grocery shopping platforms as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the estimated increase of at least 40% suggests that malicious actors are increasingly targeting these platforms to exploit vulnerabilities and potentially compromise sensitive information. This rise in cyber threats can be attributed to the shift towards online shopping due to lockdowns and social distancing measures implemented to curb the spread of the virus. It underscores the importance of implementing stringent cybersecurity measures to protect both the platforms and the consumers using them from potential data breaches and fraudulent activities.

According to research, 52% of grocery retailers prioritize improving cybersecurity measures to protect customer data over other operational investments.

The statistic reveals that a majority of grocery retailers, specifically 52%, place a high level of importance on enhancing cybersecurity measures to safeguard customer data compared to other areas of investment within their operations. This suggests that these retailers recognize the growing significance of protecting sensitive customer information in the face of increasing cyber threats and potential data breaches. By prioritizing cybersecurity measures, these retailers aim to build trust with their customer base, mitigate the risks associated with data breaches, and uphold their reputation in the marketplace. This proactive approach underscores the understanding that safeguarding customer data is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge and ensuring long-term business sustainability in the digital age.

A study found that only 36% of grocery retailers regularly conduct cybersecurity training for their staff.

The statistic indicates that a relatively low percentage (36%) of grocery retailers prioritize conducting regular cybersecurity training for their staff. This suggests that the majority of grocery retailers may not be adequately preparing their employees to recognize and prevent cyber threats, potentially leaving their systems and data vulnerable to attacks. Given the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks in today’s digital landscape, the lack of emphasis on cybersecurity training within the grocery retail industry could pose significant risks to the security of customer information, payment systems, and overall business operations. This highlights the need for grocery retailers to prioritize cybersecurity awareness and education among their staff to strengthen their defenses against cyber threats.

References

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How we write our statistic reports:

We have not conducted any studies ourselves. Our article provides a summary of all the statistics and studies available at the time of writing. We are solely presenting a summary, not expressing our own opinion. We have collected all statistics within our internal database. In some cases, we use Artificial Intelligence for formulating the statistics. The articles are updated regularly.

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