The Bioeconomy Information Sharing and Analysis Center (BIO-ISAC) has announced the launch of Fortifying the Bioeconomy, a comprehensive resource designed to help organizations and industry partners in the bioeconomy strengthen their hardware and software lifecycle management practices. This initiative comes in response to the growing concern about cyber threats within the bioeconomy, as evidenced by recent attacks on organizations such as Evotech, Oxford University, Miltenyi Biotech, and Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories.
The centerpiece of Fortifying the Bioeconomy is a suite of tools developed by the Hardware and Software Security Working Group at BIO-ISAC. These tools include:
- Biosecurity Evaluation Questionnaire (BSEQ): This questionnaire walks decision-makers through the equipment acquisition process, helping them identify and address potential security vulnerabilities.
- Instrument Disposal Guide: This guide provides instructions on how to safely dispose of instruments and remove any sensitive data stored on them.
“Recent incidents highlight the urgency with which the continued growth of the bioeconomy relies on the safe operation of these critical digital technologies,” said Charles Fracchia, Cofounder and Chairman of the Board at BIO-ISAC. “To respond to this need, we convened industry leaders to provide scalable security practices for products in the bioeconomy.”
The launch of Fortifying the Bioeconomy marks a significant step towards a more secure bioeconomy. By providing organizations with the necessary tools and resources, BIO-ISAC is working to ensure that the bioeconomy can continue to thrive while remaining safe from cyber threats.
