Case Study: How Cyber Threat Intelligence Can Help Food & Pharmaceutical Businesses Combat Fakes

Almost a year ago, fake products were in the news, and authorities took swift action, and end consumers complained bitterly online.

The noise died down, but we know it is still out there.

Businesses are losing money, and end consumers are getting fake value. Everyone is on the losing end, except those in the business of faking medicines and food products.

Many fake products look very similar, and in some cases, take a very diligent look to spot.

However, one thing is clear: in the age of digital communication channels, when a careful observer spots a fake, they use social media to report it and warn others. This creates awareness for the end user about what to look out for when making purchases.

Pharmaceutical and Food Businesses, being prime targets for fake products, MUST use this to their advantage to EASILY fight off those stealing from them and tanking their reputation by leveraging Cyber Threat Intelligence.

Consider this:

Mr. A gets a medicine, discovers it is fake, and shares it on social media to warn unsuspecting people from falling prey.

People comment, ask questions, and input their own opinions.

This happens daily, with many people getting the same experience from one fake product.

Now, this can become a headache for companies trying to identify the source, as many wholesalers, pharmacies, and retailers may not even know they are selling counterfeit products.

It is possible because those producing fakes use sophisticated methods to evade detection and sometimes hide in plain sight.

How can Threat Intelligence Help?

Threat Intelligence Professionals are proficient in OSINT and pattern recognition.

Part of their work involves picking up social media buzz and chatter around their clients' topics, and streamlining and tracing the sources of this chatter.

They may also engage people via dummy accounts, using social engineering to gather info such as shops, locations, and people involved in the chain of sales of fake products.

This becomes actionable data, streamlined and handed over to the client, who can now act with ease.

Imagine going to the right legal and governing authorities with credible information about who may be responsible for destroying your business's reputation and finances. It makes the entire process easier, faster, and noise-free.

This is just one of the many ways smart businesses are employing Cybersecurity Threat Intelligence to help them.

At the core of cybersecurity is the protection of lives.

I am Joseph, and I help businesses stay safer online using cybersecurity.