In January 2021, a US farm experienced a ransomware attack that led to an estimated $9 million in losses.
Cyberattacks have evolved beyond technical inconveniences; they now possess the capability to disrupt daily life significantly and jeopardize our food security. This was demonstrated when a major meat-packing company fell victim to a ransomware attack, causing widespread concern, operational halts, and lost revenue.
Cyber actors may perceive Ag Co-Ops as lucrative targets with a willingness to pay due to the time-sensitive role they play in agricultural production.
Although ransomware attacks against the entire farm-to-table spectrum, the number of cyberattacks against agricultural cooperatives during key seasons, like Harvest & Planting, is notable.
Growers might believe that due to the manual nature of their work, they can always revert to using pen and paper. However, essential aspects of their operations, such as shipping, and banking, heavily rely on computers and the internet.
An intelligence report from CrowdStrike indicates that out of 160 monitored hacking collectives or gangs, 13 have been pinpointed as focusing on the agricultural sector.
In 2023 a modest Ontario hog farm was compromised using straightforward ransomware, which disabled their cameras, accounting, and feeding systems, bringing the farm to a complete halt for several weeks.
Agriculture is now facing heightened digital risks due to its adoption of various online technologies.
In January 2021, a US farm experienced a ransomware attack that led to an estimated $9 million in losses.
Cyberattacks have evolved beyond technical inconveniences; they now possess the capability to disrupt daily life significantly and jeopardize our food security. This was demonstrated when a major meat-packing company fell victim to a ransomware attack, causing widespread concern, operational halts, and lost revenue.
Cyber actors may perceive Ag Co-Ops as lucrative targets with a willingness to pay due to the time-sensitive role they play in agricultural production.
Although ransomware attacks against the entire farm-to-table spectrum, the number of cyberattacks against agricultural cooperatives during key seasons, like Harvest & Planting, is notable.
Growers might believe that due to the manual nature of their work, they can always revert to using pen and paper. However, essential aspects of their operations, such as shipping, and banking, heavily rely on computers and the internet.
An intelligence report from CrowdStrike indicates that out of 160 monitored hacking collectives or gangs, 13 have been pinpointed as focusing on the agricultural sector.
In 2023 a modest Ontario hog farm was compromised using straightforward ransomware, which disabled their cameras, accounting, and feeding systems, bringing the farm to a complete halt for several weeks.
Agriculture is now facing heightened digital risks due to its adoption of various online technologies.
In January 2021, a US farm experienced a ransomware attack that led to an estimated $9 million in losses.
