Cybersecurity threats against the food and agriculture sector are rising, and vulnerabilities throughout the supply chain could threaten U.S. food security.
Brandon Smith is a cybersecurity intelligence analyst with the Michigan Cyber Command Center. “Security is not convenient, unfortunately, and literally everything is under attack in the cyberspace.”
He suggests that having separate Wi-Fi networks for equipment can be a simple and effective defense against ransomware attacks.
“Your operational technology, so stuff that has a physical effect in the world, whether it’s opening or closing a valve, changing the level of some sort of chemical or food or something like that, should be on a completely separate network than what you’re using for IT, the computer that you’re using every day,” he recommends. He says IT networks are targeted the most through phishing emails, and businesses can continue to operate if they’re breached.
Smith says camera systems can be a target even if they are on a separate network.
“A lot of people don’t realize if you’re buying something from China, those companies have an obligation to report back to the government of China,” he says. “They could be watching everything you’re doing, regardless of what password you have. Be very cognizant of what you are purchasing.”
Smith says free assessments and trainings with state police can help identify vulnerabilities and develop prevention protocols.
The Food and Agriculture Information Sharing and Analysis Center reports ransomware attacks across all sectors increased more than 80 percent last year in the U.S., with a 24 percent rise targeting the food and agriculture industry.
EDITOR’S TAKE:
Not great news for agriculture and the food industry. Cyber attacks can be costly in terms of time and money. The disruptions across the distribution channel could be devastating, to say the least. Many measures have been put in place to try to protect the safety and availability of our food supply in the past couple of decades, but as we are often reminded, nothing is foolproof in today’s world. Cyber hackers, especially our enemies, are working relentlessly to disrupt our way of life. Our food and water security measures must always be a high priority.
Be sure to protect your business and your customers data against hackers. Many small businesses are being targeted and are often more vulnerable than they realize. Encourage your ag customers to protect their personal operational and business data as well.
