Safeguarding Our Food Supply
in the Digital Age
From automated machinery and drones to IoT devices and precision farming techniques, modern agriculture is now a high-tech industry. However, this rapid digital transformation creates new vulnerabilities. Cybersecurity threats to agriculture are a growing concern, with potentially devastating consequences for our food security and economy.
Why is Cybersecurity Important for Agriculture?
Precision Farming
Smart farming technologies like sensors, drones, and automated equipment can be exploited by hackers to disrupt operations, manipulate data, or gain unauthorized access.
Valuable Data
Confidential data such as proprietary trade secrets, business contracts, and financial records are attractive to cybercriminals. Robust cybersecurity measures help ensure this information remains secure.
Supply Chain Integrity
From farm to table, the supply chain relies heavily on interconnected digital systems. A breach at any point could disrupt the entire chain’s operations, compromise quality control systems, data on food origin and handling, and traceability, leading to food shortages and economic losses.
Infrastructure Challenges & Misconceptions
The unique challenges of implementing cybersecurity in rural areas, such as limited infrastructure and a misconception of air-gapped security, make the agriculture sector more vulnerable compared to other industries.
Key Metrics
$3.86 Million
is what data breaches can cost companies in the food industry on average.
1/3
of food industry firms experienced cyber attacks that targeted their operational technology in 2023.
1 in 5
food industry websites are targets of a cyber attack at least once a week.
In
2023
the Food and Agriculture – Information Sharing and Analysis Center found 167 ransomware attacks against the food and agriculture sector out of 2,905 total ransomware incidents studied, which was 5.5% of all attacks.
Highlighting Risk: JBS Ransomware
JBS, one of the world’s largest meat processing companies, suffered a ransomware attack In May 2021, by the Russia-linked REvil gang. The attackers compromised an old admin account, stole data for three months, then encrypted servers, forcing JBS to shut down all U.S. beef plants. Facing pressure to restore operations, JBS paid an $11 million ransom.
– Reuters
Acrisure Understands Cybersecurity Needs of Construction Businesses
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