In response to the evolving landscape of cyberthreats, Unilever embarked on a transformative programme to fortify its cyber defences across its factories worldwide. Central to this initiative was the establishment of a robust “Factory Cyber Security” organization. At its helm stands a “Global Factory Cyber Security Leader”, orchestrating a cohesive programme to protect Unilever’s manufacturing operations – made up of “work packages” that cover four deliverables: identify, protect, detect and response.

Complementing this global leadership are eight “Regional Cyber Security Champions” stationed strategically across the globe. These champions serve as linchpins between the global strategy and local execution, fostering a network of resilience spanning over 200 factories. Collaborating closely with these regional champions are local “Factory Cyber Security Champions”, embedded within each facility, ensuring tailored and responsive protection at the grassroots level. For the sake of transparency, the global and regional roles are funded by cyber security, while the local factory roles are funded by each individual factory.

Integral to this framework is the continuous education and training provided by the global and regional champions. Armed with cutting-edge cyber tooling knowledge and a keen eye for identifying and mitigating risks, they empower local champions to proactively defend against emerging threats, thereby fortifying Unilever’s cyber defence posture at every level of operation.