What the UNFI Cyberattack Can Teach Us About AI Governance

Now, here’s the deal – when I saw those headlines about Whole Foods shelves going bare because of a cyberattack on United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI), I’ll be honest with you: my heart went out to every operations manager, floor supervisor, and IT lead scrambling to make sense of it.

One company’s tech systems went offline, and the ripple effects emptied stores across the country. That’s how fragile the digital supply chain can be.

And here’s the kicker: the same kind of risk is quietly building inside a lot of mid-sized businesses here in Ohio; not from hackers (though that’s real too), but from shadow AI.

If you’re like some of our other clients, you already know what I’m talking about. They are tired of chasing ghosts. AI tools are popping up all over their organizations: ChatGPT helping draft marketing emails, Copilot quietly summarizing sales calls, some new “AI-powered” feature sneaking into HR platforms.

Sound familiar?

Now imagine this: what if one of those AI tools malfunctions during a big client presentation? Or leaks sensitive data? Or generates biased outputs that land your company in hot water with regulators?

Just like the UNFI incident—one weak link can send shockwaves through your operations and your brand. That’s why AI governance isn’t a luxury anymore – it’s a necessity.

Why Mid-Sized Businesses Are at Risk

Mid-sized businesses in Ohio—companies with 50 to 500 employees and $10M to $100M in revenue—are already using AI every day, whether they realize it or not.

• Sales teams rely on predictive analytics.
• Customer service is fielding chatbots.
• Marketing folks are experimenting with generative AI tools.
• Back-office staff are running intelligent document processing.

But here’s the catch, most of this adoption has been department-led and tool-based – not centralized or governed.

No formal policy. No clear inventory. No risk matrix. No training.

That means when something goes wrong, and it will, you’ll be just like those empty grocery shelves: exposed, unprepared, and scrambling.

What’s Driving the Urgency

If you’re in operations, IT, compliance, or innovation, here’s what’s probably keeping you up at night:

1. Shadow AI tools are spreading fast—without oversight.
2. Regulators are paying attention. Laws around AI bias, data privacy, and explainability are coming.
3. Brand trust is fragile. One AI slip-up can undo years of reputation-building.
4. Employees are unsure what’s safe to use—and what’s not.
5. Audit readiness is lacking. Many businesses couldn’t tell an auditor where or how AI is being used.

If you don’t know what to do next, here is 7 things you can do now:

Let’s not make this harder than it needs to be. Governance isn’t about strangling innovation. It’s about creating a safe, scalable framework so your teams can use AI responsibly. You can:

1. Develop an AI policy. Define acceptable use, approval workflows, and roles/responsibilities.
2. Inventory AI usage. Conduct an audit—formal and shadow tools alike.
3. Create use case frameworks. Clarify what’s allowed, what needs approval, and what’s prohibited.
4. Build a risk matrix. Prioritize by data sensitivity and public exposure.
5. Train your people. They need clear, simple guidance on what’s okay—and what’s not.
6. Engage legal counsel. Stay ahead of compliance and privacy risks.
7. Create use case frameworks. Clarify what’s allowed, what needs approval, and what’s prohibited.

One last thing: you don’t have to do it alone. You’ll need allies: your MSP, legal advisors, and yes, folks like us who walk this road with you, not pitch from above.

A Word to the Leader In Every Business

If you’re reading this and thinking, “I’m already maxed out…this sounds great but I can’t take on one more thing” we hear you.

That’s why we help leaders like you start small, start smart, and build momentum. You don’t need a 200-page AI policy. You need a clear, human framework that empowers your teams without burying them.
Because here’s the truth: AI governance isn’t a tech project. It’s an operational responsibility. If you get ahead of it now, you’ll be protecting your company’s reputation, culture, and future.
If you wait, well…you saw what happened when one supply chain link failed.

Ready to Take the First Step?

If you want someone to help you map the landscape, build a simple governance framework, and train your teams in plain language, we’re here.
Give us a call at 330-655-8144 or email info@ctgusa.net. We’ll shoot straight with you, walk beside you, and help you turn AI governance from “another thing on your plate” into a business strength.