As a technology consultant, I spend a lot of days assessing risk and reading about the latest ransomware attacks in my market, but this time next week I’m going to be plotting cranberries and securing poultry instead. As we begin to close our laptops, here are five ways to protect your turkey and keep your holiday celebration running smoothly.
1. Implement Multi-Layer Protection
Just as we use multi-factor authentication in cybersecurity, your turkey needs multiple layers of protection to prevent over-burning. Before heading to the oven, pat the skin dry and rub it down with some sort of fat. Butter is a classic go-to, but I’ve also been known to line the turkey skin with bacon to get it started. As a value-add, the bacon doubles as a pre-dinner snack or a side for the Black Friday brunch.
You can also use tin foil to literally make a firewall to protect the skin from excessive browning. Opinions vary on when to add the tent, or as I’m calling it now, the turkey firewall, I like to add it in the last 45 minutes. If the turkey is looking sufficiently browned, tent with foil for the remaining cooking time.
#turkeyfirewall
2. Monitor for Intrusions
While turkey is the most iconic part of the Thanksgiving meal, it’s also the most likely to be compromised. Undercooked and your guests may fall ill and never trust you again. Overcooked and no amount of gravy will save your culinary reputation.
In the cyber world, we constantly monitor for unauthorized access. In your kitchen, keep an eye on the turkey’s internal temperature. An oven-safe meat thermometer is the ultimate detection system for preventing an unsafe, undercooked bird or a dried-out meal. Use a food thermometer to ensure the deepest part of the thigh reaches 165°F. In a well-deployed configuration, your IDS will alert you when it’s perfectly cooked and safe to eat.
Bonus tip: did you know Butterball has an emergency turkey hotline? You can text or call anytime during Thanksgiving the days leading up to it.
3. Patch Vulnerabilities
Sometimes the bad actors in an incident are trusted, invited members of the party. Guests who’ve had too much to drink can be like unpatched systems – vulnerable to causing disruptions. Before they start arguing election results with your friends and family, here are some ways to prepare:
- Offer plenty of non-alcoholic beverages and food throughout the event (Athletic Brewing is a favorite!)
- Sparkling mineral water is a nice treat that also keeps your guests hydrated without feeling like a boring glass of water
- Arrange for designated drivers or ride-sharing services in advance
- Be prepared to cut unruly guests off entirely, just like you’d disable a compromised account
It’s impossible to be 100% prepared for every possible incident which is why we prepare incident response plans. Coordinate with your co-hosts and have a plan to intervene and redirect when necessary, steering conversations away from hot topics and guests away from the bar.
4. Secure and store Your Data (Leftovers)
Much like our set standards for storing and backing up data, the FDA has guidelines for roper storage of leftovers.
- Store leftovers within two hours of cooking
- Refrigerate or freeze in covered shallow containers
- Plan to destroy leftovers after their 3-4 day retention period
- For extended storage, freeze leftovers (best quality within 2-6 months)
To stretch your time and asset investments, use the leftover turkey bones to boil into a soup. Add the bones to a large stock pot and add enough water to cover with some salt. Add some bay leaves, an onion or two, any leftover celery and carrots, really almost anything left in the fridge that didn’t make it into the stuffing. Whole peppercorns, dried fruit and herbs also make nice additions. Boil then simmer for an hour or more and then strain.
Either freeze the stock for later or return it to the stove and add some sort of starch, potatoes, noodles, tortellini, or rice to cook. Add the turkey, salt and pepper, and any vegetables that are left.
5. Implement a Disaster Recovery Plan
Even with the best precautions, things can go wrong. One Christmas I put a foil-wrapped ham in the oven before removing the plastic underneath. Luckily, my accidental disaster-recovery plan included the Chinese takeout menu on the side of the fridge. Here are four things to consider when planning for the worst-case Thanksgiving feast.
- Pre-make as many side dishes as possible. You’ll be free to spend time with guests and prepared in case of a turkey disaster.
- Have the number of a local restaurant that’s open on Thanksgiving, because you never know.
- Gravy makes lot of mistakes taste great.
- Chinese takeout is always open. Have a menu on hand.
Remember, just as in cybersecurity, the key to a great Thanksgiving meal is having the right tools on hand and lots of preparation. With these measures, you’ll be well-equipped to handle any threats to your holiday feast. We wish you a very warm and happy holiday, Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
And if you’re still reading, and want to get to know me and more about Salt Peak, then let’s talk.
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