Cybersecurity and Digitization in the Packaging Industry: Building Trust and Resilience

Cybersecurity and digitization are strategic imperatives that shape how packaging technology companies engage with customers, drive innovation and build trust. © DC Studio – stock.adobe.com

Troy Rydman, CIO & CISO, Packsize

As the packaging industry accelerates its transformation through digitization, cybersecurity has become a cornerstone of operational success. The consistent protection of internal systems is a core aspect of maintaining customer trust by meeting rising expectations around security and privacy. For packaging technology and other automated solution providers, navigating the evolving digital landscape requires two key priorities: safeguarding organizational assets and ensuring that cybersecurity becomes a value-added part of the customer experience.

Cybersecurity as a Competitive Differentiator

In the past, cybersecurity in packaging was regarded as a more behind-the-scenes function, mainly tied to IT infrastructure. Today, that approach is rapidly changing. From smart packaging solutions that collect data to cloud-enabled supply chains and real-time tracking systems, packaging systems are now deeply intertwined with digital technology. Customers expect that the systems and data they rely on are protected, and they are well educated about the potential dangers of cybersecurity risks.

Companies that demonstrate strong cybersecurity expertise reduce customer risk, which in turn builds confidence and loyalty. Speed, accuracy, and supply chain integrity are essential, and customers want to know that their data, product specifications, and delivery schedules are secure. Cybersecurity is now a key part of the value proposition and a critical factor in developing and maintaining long-term relationships.

Creating a Culture of Security for Companies and Customers Alike

One major challenge faced by this and other industries is that cybersecurity is often viewed as a technical or compliance issue rather than a business enabler. Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) can help grow this mindset by positioning themselves and their teams as strategic partners who support innovation while ensuring safe and secure operations. Their role is essential in embedding cybersecurity into product development, customer onboarding, and operational workflows.

Customers, too, must be engaged in this cultural shift. Technology companies that focus on packaging automation can treat security as a shared responsibility and provide education, visibility, and transparency into their cybersecurity practices. For example, integrating secure portals for order management or offering insights into supply chain security protocols can help position cybersecurity as a customer-centric service.

Compliance and Risk Management in an Operations Framework

As cybersecurity regulations continue to evolve, so too does the complexity of compliance. U.S. organizations must now navigate a patchwork of federal and state regulations, from CISA directives to NIST guidelines and industry-specific mandates like SOX, GDPR, and CCPA. While potentially cumbersome, compliance frameworks can help provide a direction and focus on protecting consumer data. It helps organizations understand that we are just data stewards of someone else’s information and that we have an obligation to protect it.

The Promise and Peril of AI in Cybersecurity

Emerging technologies like AI and machine learning are reshaping cybersecurity strategies across industries. These technologies enable faster, smarter threat detection and response, often through automated systems that can adapt to new types of attacks. For example, AI can help with conducting diagnostics and provide recommendations on when to schedule proactive maintenance, increasing the uptime of services. AI can also be leveraged for monitoring data inputs and system anomalies to identify potential security threats using simple system telemetry data.

At the same time, AI is also being leveraged by cybercriminals. Threat actors are now able to develop more sophisticated, targeted attacks at scale. For customers, this means that the organizations they do business with must not only embrace innovation but also stay ahead of the threat curve.

Understanding the Modern Threat Landscape

Threat actors exploit disruptions, such as a new software rollout, a company merger, or a supply chain interruption. This makes agility in cybersecurity planning more important than ever.

For customers, this raises questions: Can your provider maintain continuity and protect data during a crisis? Are incident response plans in place? Proactive risk management strategies, including regular communication and alignment with customer expectations, are essential. Providers that can respond quickly and recover effectively without compromising service or security are the ones who will stand out to current and potential customers alike.

Cloud Computing and Supply Chain Accountability

Cloud services are a cornerstone of digital packaging operations, allowing for flexible scaling, real-time updates, and improved collaboration. They also introduce a new type of risk: third-party dependency. As more customer data is stored in cloud platforms, ensuring that those environments are secure becomes critical.

Service providers are now expected to offer answers to customer questions such as how their data is stored, who has access, and what happens in the event of a breach. Clear policies on data residency, encryption, access controls, and third-party audits will ensure clarity on these issues. A secure cloud strategy that extends to the customer’s own risk exposure is now part of doing business.

Meeting Rising Privacy Expectations

While the U.S. has not implemented a national equivalent to Europe’s GDPR, several states have passed stringent data privacy laws that affect packaging operations. Companies that handle consumer or sensitive business data are well served by getting ahead of the curve and adopting privacy-by-design principles, even in the absence of federal regulation.

Clear understanding and control over how their data is used, retained, and deleted transforms regulatory compliance into a customer relationship builder. Maintaining a privacy program and compliance will be critical for ensuring business growth, as customers have the same level of expectation that your privacy practices adhere to their privacy requirements; otherwise, you’ll be overlooked for a provider who can.

Conclusion: Cybersecurity as a Strategic Customer Commitment

Cybersecurity and digitization are no longer operational checkboxes; they are strategic imperatives that shape how packaging technology companies engage with customers, drive innovation, and build trust. Decision makers must treat cybersecurity as a customer-facing asset, embedded in everything from product design to supply chain execution.

By fostering a culture of security, embracing responsible innovation, and maintaining transparency, packaging technology companies can turn cybersecurity into a competitive advantage.

About the Author

Troy Rydman is the CIO & CISO of Packsize. Visit: https://www.packsize.com