About Us
Who we are, why we exist, where we operate, and how you can be part of securing the world's food systems.
What we do
Cybersecurity Association of the Food Industry
CSAFI is a non-profit organization. Our mission is simple yet urgent: to ensure food reaches every table without being disrupted by cyber threats. The global food supply chain is under relentless attack, and every breach puts families, businesses, and communities at risk.
We are a coalition uniting industry, government, technology providers, and individuals under one mission — to protect global food security. Together, we can stop attackers before they disrupt lives and build a resilient future where cyber threats never stand in the way of putting food on the plate.
Our Mission
To protect the world's food security by making every link in the food chain resilient against cyber threats.
Our Vision
To lead the world in securing a resilient food ecosystem where technology, trust, and collaboration safeguard humanity.
What is CSAFI?
A short film on who we are, the cyber threats facing the global food supply, and how the association brings the industry together to meet them.
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Why we do it
of large food companies have been attacked globally.
in annual industry revenue lost to cyber incidents.
rise in cyberattacks targeting food supply chains.
cost of operational downtime during a breach.
The coalition
Know cybersecurity? Perfect.
New to it? Even better.
Defending the food supply isn't a job for security teams alone. It takes farmers, engineers, executives, policymakers and researchers — and whatever you bring to the table, there's a seat with your name on it.
Be the multiplier
Report a threat once — protect the whole network.
- Real-time threat intelligence
- Ready-to-use incident playbooks
- Standards you help write
- A community that has your back
The cyber-readiness curve
The industry is still early on the curve — which is exactly why now is the moment to lead.
Critical infrastructure
national critical infrastructure sectors is Food & Agriculture — and it is among the least defended.
Who's at the table
- Food producers & processors
- Technology & security providers
- Government & policymakers
- Researchers & thought leaders
- & individuals who care
The food supply we defend
Where we operate
CSAFI is a registered non-profit in the United States with chapters growing across Asia-Pacific.
Meet our team
Deon Engelbrecht
Deon leads Cyber Enablement across global food industries
Deon has over 20 years’ experience spanning industrial technology, enterprise software, Manufacturing Execution Systems, Industry 4.0 and cybersecurity, working with food, manufacturing and critical infrastructure organizations across North America, EMEA, APAC and Sub-Saharan Africa. His career bridges IT and OT, with senior leadership roles at Rockwell Automation, Schneider Electric, Invensys (now AVEVA) and Marel. He completed a Master’s-level program in Digital Transformation Leadership at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business, with executive education through MIT Sloan, Harvard Law School, the University of Michigan and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Michael Newbury
Michael leads CSAFI’s Cyber Enablement in Australia
Michael is CSAFI’s Director of Cyber Enablement, Australia, bringing strong leadership and operational experience from Australia’s business and hospitality sectors. With a background in management consulting and business development, he drives programs that help organizations enhance cyber awareness, readiness, and capability. Michael’s focus is on enabling teams, building resilience, and aligning technology, people, and process to strengthen Australia’s food industry cybersecurity posture.
Nick Saharan
Nick leads CSAFI’s Global Mission
Nick Saharan is the visionary Founder and President of the Cybersecurity Association of Food Industry (CSAFI). His journey began in 2016, visiting food plants across continents and witnessing firsthand how cyberattacks disrupted operations and global food supply chains. This experience ignited his mission to protect food security through stronger cybersecurity. Today, Nick leads global collaborations with policymakers, researchers, and technology providers, driving CSAFI’s mission to build a resilient, cyber-secure food ecosystem that safeguards businesses and communities worldwide.
Pankaj Upadhyay
Security Leader at Workday, Led Bank of America security framework
Pankaj is a seasoned Application Security expert with over 15 years of experience strengthening digital resilience across industries. As CSAFI’s Cybersecurity Board Advisor, he guides secure software adoption, architecture reviews, and risk strategies that protect the global food ecosystem. With a background spanning Workday, Microsoft, and major financial institutions, Pankaj brings deep technical insight and leadership to help CSAFI advance cybersecurity maturity across the food sector.
Prashant Gupta
Director Google Cloud Infrastructure at Kyndryl
Prashant is CSAFI’s Chief Technology Advisor, bringing over two decades of experience in cloud architecture, software development, and digital transformation. As Director of Google Cloud Infrastructure at Kyndryl and former Google Cloud leader, he has guided global enterprises in leveraging AI, cloud, and infrastructure innovation. At CSAFI, Prashant drives the technology strategy to strengthen cybersecurity, enhance digital resilience, and enable secure cloud adoption across the global food and agriculture ecosystem.
Russell Macapaz Tal
Russell leads CSAFI’s cyber resilience strategy for the protein industry, fostering collaboration, innovation, and secure growth across meat, seafood and poultry industry.
Russell Macapaz Tal is Advisory Director – Protein Industry, Cyber Resilience & Strategy. A strategic leader and partnership builder, Russell brings extensive experience in customer success, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. Passionate about collaboration and impact, she helps shape resilient strategies that bridge technology, business, and people. Russell’s leadership focuses on strengthening trust, driving innovation, and empowering the global protein industry to thrive securely in a connected world.
Saurabh Sarawat
CEO & Founder Across Verticals Technologies. Ex BAE Systems Security Director
Saurabh Sarawat is CSAFI’s Vice President and Managing Director at Across Verticals Group, leading digital security consulting across the Asia-Pacific region. With over 30 years of experience in cybersecurity, governance, and digital risk management, he has advised governments, critical infrastructure, and global enterprises in building mature, resilient security programs. Saurabh’s leadership focuses on aligning business strategy with cyber resilience, guiding CSAFI’s mission to protect and strengthen the global food industry’s digital ecosystem.
Scott Dewar
Cyber Security Manager
Scott is the Chief Information Security Officer for CSAFI Australia, with over two decades of experience leading cybersecurity transformation across critical infrastructure and enterprise environments. He has delivered major programs in cloud migration, identity management, and operational resilience across financial, manufacturing, and government sectors. Scott focuses on strengthening operational technology (OT) security, ensuring compliance with national standards, and reducing systemic cyber risks. His leadership drives Australia’s food and agriculture sectors toward greater cyber resilience and supply chain integrity.
Wilson Lim
Cybersecurity Country Manager, Across Verticals Malaysia
Wilson Lim is CSAFI’s Director of Cybersecurity & Software, bringing over a decade of experience in penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and secure software development. A certified GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN), he has led numerous security assessments across web, mobile, and infrastructure systems in Australia, the UK, and Malaysia. Wilson combines strong technical expertise with leadership in security training and project management, driving CSAFI’s mission to enhance cyber resilience across the global food industry.
Halli Gunnlaugsson
Founder HG Marketing Consultancy. Head of Marketing KAPP
Halli brings deep global experience in marketing, communications, and digital transformation to CSAFI, helping strengthen cybersecurity resilience across the food industry. Having supported fish, meat, and poultry sectors in adopting secure software platforms, he understands the unique challenges of production environments. Halli’s strategic insight and storytelling expertise help bridge technology and trust, amplifying CSAFI’s mission to protect and empower the global food ecosystem.
Mark Petersen
President ISSA Puget Sound, Cybersecurity Gaudium Capital
Mark Petersen is a seasoned cybersecurity leader with nearly 30 years of experience securing complex technology environments and critical infrastructure. His work spans cloud, hybrid, and on-premise systems, where he has guided companies through modern threats while building resilient, business-aligned security programs. Mark has led enterprise security architecture, cyber risk governance, and strategic technology initiatives across multiple industries, including sensitive supply chains that require 24/7 operational continuity.
Jonathan Sherk
Program Manager - McCrary Institute Cyber and Critical Infrastrucutre.
Jonathan is a Intelligence Specialist & Red Team Lead U.S. Army veteran, he's leading the critical infrastructure resilience program at McCrary Institute of Auburn University. Supporting CSAFI in building cyber risk program for the food Industry.
Smith Sheehy
Founder Fidelis Strategies, Ex Senior Security Manager Protiviti
Smith Sheehy brings extensive experience in product, program strategy, and innovation, leading global initiatives that bridge technology and business impact. As VP of Program Development, she helps shape CSAFI’s growth and industry-wide influence as a key board advisor.
Michael Hesse
Trident Seafoods - Sr. Cybersecurity Manager. Infragard President Washington.
Michael Hesse is Senior Cybersecurity Manager at Trident Seafood, he brings deep experience in seafood operations, supply chain, and technology. As a board advisor he is supporting CSAFI’s mission to strengthen cybersecurity posture across global seafood systems.
David Hernandez
Director OT Security - Carrier. Engineer and an U.S. Navy veteran
David Hernandez is an experienced technology and security leader with a strong background in IT operations, digital transformation, and infrastructure management across large enterprise environments. As a CSAFI Board Advisor, he brings strategic insight and practical industry expertise to support our mission of strengthening cybersecurity across the global food sector.
Michael Ledson
US Navy Assistant Security Manager.
Michael Ledson serves as an Assistant Security Manager for the U.S. Navy Submarine Force and is experienced in GRC, policy development and security program leadership. He served as Supply Department Lead during a five-month deployment, accounting for more than one million dollars in critical material and keeping operations uninterrupted in a high-tempo, resource-constrained environment. He is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance at Western Governors University, and focuses on governance, risk and compliance, identity and access management, and supply-chain resilience.
Amit Morey
Auburn University Professor. Ph.D Poultry Science & M.S Seafood Science
Ph.D. Poultry Science, Auburn University MS Seafood Science, University of Alaska Fairbanks, AK M.F.Sc. Industrial Fishery Technology, Bangalore, India B.F.Sc. Fish and Fisheries Science, Dr. B.S. Konkan Agricultural University, India
Kristin King
CEO AnzenOT. Host Bites & Bytes Podcast. Ex Sony global head of cybersecurity.
An experienced leader in Operational Technology (OT) risk management. Kristin is the founder of AnzenSage and AnzenOT, platforms dedicated to protecting cyber-physical systems in food, agriculture, and animal care. Author of the upcoming book “Securing What Feeds Us” (Wiley, 2026), Kristin bridges the gap between technology and the vital systems that sustain life. Her focus is simple: ensuring industry resilience so the world stays fed and secure.
Nigel Newbury
Ex Managing Director - Datum360, Future Aim Australia. Autodesk business leader.
Nigel brings decades of work with industrial data, plant automation and supply-chain systems to protecting food production lines and information flows. His experience across software, services and industry operations supports impartial evaluation of solutions for processors, producers and distributors. He works to build hardening, patch discipline and support requirements into equipment and software purchases, cutting lifecycle risk and cost, and brings producers, vendors, agencies and academia together through advisories, playbooks, webinars and drills that turn incidents into practical guidance for boards and plants.
Scott Alldridge
CEO - IP Services, Best Selling Author on Amazon of Cybersecurity Books
I am a published author of several books, my Visible Ops Cybersecurity Book is an Amazon Bestseller and I just released Visible Ops AI. I have presented at multiple conferences including SANS, HIMMS, and various banking, CPA, credit union and other sector conferneces. You can learn more about me at my author website: www.scottalldridge.com
Paul Kafer
Ex Dairygold Head of Major Engineering Projects. Ex Smithfield Vice President of Engineering
Automation is one of my passions and areas of expertise, and I have designed and managed several automated processes. Innovation also involves coming up with new ways to make products.
Stein-Erik Jøllanger
Senior Advisor - Pescatech. Ex. Marel- Seafood Industry Solution Expert
Stein-Erik Jøllanger is a seafood tech expert and Senior Advisor at Pescatech. With 15+ years at Marel, he specializes in digitalization, MES, and process control to unlock data and drive efficiency in global fish processing facilities.
Alex Waintraub
DTG - Director of Threat Management. InfraGard Member. DFIR Executive.
Alex Waintraub is a cybersecurity leader with 15 years in DFIR, threat intel, and ransomware negotiations. A frequent speaker and Forbes contributor, he builds SOCs and leads strategic initiatives to protect global organizations from breaches.
Timothy Grotheer
VP of Information Technology - Global Seafood Alliance (GSA)
Tim's foundation in software engineering, cloud-native architecture and NIST-compliant security frameworks built through leadership roles at the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) and multiple technology organizations.
Kyle Draisey
Chief Information & Security Officer and Head of Cybersecurity - Sagent
Kyle Draisey brings something that very few cybersecurity leaders in any industry possess: a genuine national security lens forged through years at the intersection of intelligence, defense and enterprise cyber leadership.
Our journey
Where It All Began
Our journey didn't start in boardrooms—it started on the ground. Across farms, fisheries, and food processing facilities, we saw firsthand how cyber risks could disrupt the systems that feed the world. That's where the vision for CSAFI was born.
The First Framework
Recognizing the growing threat, our leaders took the first step toward collective action. We introduced our first industry framework—bringing together producers, vendors, and policymakers under one shared mission: to secure the global food supply chain.
From Vision to Action
What started as an idea became a movement. We united food companies, technology providers, and cybersecurity experts to identify vulnerabilities, share real-world incidents, and build practical mitigation strategies. Together, we laid the foundation for a more secure food ecosystem.
A Defining Milestone
CSAFI officially became a registered non-profit organization in Seattle, Washington, USA, with the formation of the North America Board. This marked the beginning of our global expansion—launching chapters in Australia and Canada to strengthen cybersecurity across the food industry worldwide.
Join CSAFI
Be part of the movement to secure the food industry's digital future.
Join as a Thought Leader
Get recognized, publish articles, speak at the events, and join our advisory board to shape the future of food industry cybersecurity.
Speak at our events
Demonstrate leadership, enhance collaborations, and elevate your personal and organizational brand.
Publish your research with us
Showcase your expertise to the global food and cybersecurity audience and be recognized as a trusted industry leader.
Join CSAFI advisory board
Help shape the industry's cybersecurity agenda while connecting with leading stakeholders, policymakers, and peers.
Partner with us
Protect the world's food supply chain businesses, share expertise, and shape the future of cybersecurity in the food industry.
Unite to Protect Food Security
Safeguard food production and distribution.
Collaborate and Lead
Improve cybersecurity standards across the food chain.
Drive Real Impact
Gain visibility, learn and share expertise to ensure food security.