Cybersecurity: just as important in the agricultural sector
Many farmers feel that cybersecurity doesn’t concern them. Some of our customers have told us that they are safe from cyber threats thanks to their automated milking system, because it’s a big fancy American-made system. Some simply don’t have the resources to protect themselves effectively.
And yet, like everyone else, farmers are unfortunately not immune to cyber fraud. Raising farmers’ awareness of cybersecurity and cyber-insurance is therefore crucial for several reasons.
Especially since technology is now present in all areas of agricultural activity. Just think of e-mails, text messaging, online banking or network-enabled farming tools and implements.
Hacking into this kind of system can have serious consequences for farm businesses, hindering their production, damaging their reputation, affecting their income, and more. For example, if the milking system were compromised, it could prevent cows from being milked, with serious economic consequences for farmers.
Cyber fraudsters usually have similar objectives: stealing data, destroying equipment and gaining an advantage over the competition, to name but a few.
In 2022, Québec’s Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA) was targeted by a ransomware attack that affected all its computer systems. UPA’s 160 employees could no longer connect to the network, and a ransom was demanded. 23 additional client organizations on the UPA’s network were affected.
And this year, in France, some 30,000 livestock producers in south-western France and Corsica were denied access to the online platform that enables them to declare their herd. They had no choice but to use good old-fashioned pencil and paper to continue operating.
These are just two examples. Here are a few more to watch out for, and ways to protect yourself against them.
Cyber-attacks
Agriculture is becoming increasingly technological, with the use of connected sensors, drones, management software and automated equipment. This exposes farmers to cyber-attacks.
With ransomware, hackers lock down computer systems and demand a ransom to restore them. In 2021, these dangers were already a cause for concern. An article published in April 2021 on the Radio-Canada (The mentioned article is in French only. However, a similar article was published by the CBC in September 2022. Read it here.) website provides an example of just how dire the consequences of such a situation could be:
"Imagine that a poultry farmer receives a message on a January evening when the temperature is -25 degrees Celsius. The message informs him that the heating in his chicken coop will be shut down if he doesn’t pay a ransom. He then realizes that he no longer has any control over his computer systems; if he doesn’t pay the ransom, all his chickens will freeze to death."
The article paints an eye-opening picture of the risks of agricultural cybercrime. Data theft is also rife. Farming operations can have information stolen about their crops, their customers, or have their financial transactions hacked.
Such thefts may aim to obtain a ransom, gain a competitive advantage, or even falsify data to disrupt markets in the crop or livestock sectors.
Farm machinery can also be disrupted. Hackers can remotely modify its operation or even disable it at critical times for production. Automated systems (irrigation, livestock feed, etc.) can be hacked, putting crops and livestock at risk.
You should also be mindful of fraudulent transactions when purchasing equipment. This kind of fraud has been observed both on well-known sites like eBay and on fake equipment websites, which are on the increase.
Dire consequences
This kind of attack can result in significant financial loss, disruption of operations, and damage to reputation. A disruption in management software can hinder the processes of sowing and harvesting. Additionally, hacking into traceability systems can impact product certification.
How can I protect my farm?
If you’re not already covered by cyber-insurance, we encourage you to look into it. These policies can provide financial protection in the event of a cyber-security breach, including the costs associated with data recovery and system restoration. They also address potential liability issues which may arise from a data breach involving sensitive information.
In some cases, insurance companies may also provide specialized knowledge to help victims restore their IT systems.
Additionally, we recommend that you consider implementing cybersecurity measures designed to identify suspicious downloads and spam, ensure access to systems is limited to authorized personnel, and encrypt sensitive information.
And don’t forget to back up your data regularly on an external, reliable storage medium, such as a hard disk.
It is imperative to refrain from opening e-mails from unknown senders and clicking on links or attachments if you are uncertain about their origin or legitimacy.
Cybersecurity training is also available. Sign up for it, and encourage your employees to do the same so they remain alert to threats such as scams and phishing attempts.
Stay informed
An increasing number of regulations are mandating cybersecurity standards to protect consumer and business data. Raising awareness is crucial for farmers to avoid sanctions and ensure compliance.
Connected agriculture presents several significant advantages; however, it also introduces new risks. To safeguard against these threats, it is crucial for farms to prioritize cybersecurity awareness and the adoption of cyber-insurance policies.
Do you have any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact your broker, who will be happy to discuss the matter with you.
