Cybersecurity in Agriculture: The Vulnerabilities are Growing

Agriculture and cybersecurity haven’t always been talked about in the same spaces. However, as agricultural entities have become exponentially more reliant on IT, the lack of importance put on cybersecurity has become a serious issue. The industry has become increasingly focused on IT implementation because it allows for enhanced monitoring and data collection. 

As the agriculture industry continues to build on its IT infrastructure, we must ask the question that no one likes to hear: What vulnerabilities are being introduced, and what could the consequences be if they were exploited? 

Vulnerabilities in Modern Agriculture

Hackers are always looking for an easy way into a network. The weakest points are the vulnerabilities that are often overlooked. In modern farming, here are a few areas that may be exploited:  

• Internet of Things (IoT): The Internet of Things (IoT) is the interconnectivity of everyday objects that can connect to the internet. In an everyday setting, this might mean a home appliance, like a stove or refrigerator, that is connected to Wi-Fi to enhance its function. 
  
  For a farm, this could mean soil and water sensors or health monitors for livestock. Anything that is connected to the internet, even if it’s a simple everyday device, it creates a vulnerability that bad actors can exploit to gain access to your network.  
  
  
• Robotics Process Automation (RPA): RPA software platforms automate repetitive tasks that can save agricultural organizations a great deal of time. Processes such as order input, accounts payable, and data entry can be automated, saving time and increasing accuracy. Though helpful, these bots often require elevated system permissions. 
  
  This access can become a liability if credentials are compromised.
  
  
• Blockchain and Traceability Systems: Blockchain technology is increasingly used to track crops and livestock to allow for traceability. If systems like this are compromised, it can lead to the data being manipulated, allowing for hackers to cause substantial disruptions. 

What Agriculture Organizations Sometimes Miss 

Many agriculture organizations are still in a cycle of addressing immediate IT needs. Software updates, replacing equipment, and ensuring that everything is running properly are all necessary, and important. The issue goes much deeper, though, when there isn’t a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy in place. 

Without a plan, there are several ways that business operations could be slowed down or stopped altogether:

• Lack of cybersecurity training: Without regular training, employees within the organization could fall prey to an attack, such as phishing, that would provide a bad actor with access to the network.
• No incident response plan: If a security incident were to happen, without a formal response plan, the organization will not be able to act quickly to reduce the potential harm and recover where necessary.
• Outdated security software: Without the latest versions of security software, the organization’s current program may not be able to identify newer, more sophisticated attacks.
• Overloaded IT staff: When IT staff are bogged down with the day to day, there isn’t time left to manage security with the necessary attention. 

What’s at Stake?

With human and technological gaps in an IT strategy, an organization is left open to attacks, such as data breaches and ransomware. 

A data breach could allow someone to gain access to sensitive data that they can use to access money, customer information, vendor details, and more. 

Ransomware (where a bad actor holds data for ransom) could cost an organization thousands, even millions, to recover data while also damaging its reputation.

Loss of customer trust can be a result of a security incident and can be difficult to recover from. Those who use your services trust that their information is safe with you. 

Distractions and lost resources due to a data breach can derail your business’s progress and put you behind on your goals.  

Tailor Your IT Strategy to You, For Now and the Future

Blue Pioneer Consulting helps clients build a cybersecurity strategy that is tailored to their current and future needs. We listen to your pain points to determine a plan that enhances your security while planning for any technological needs that might arise, helping to ensure that your growth isn’t slowed down by a security incident or lack of support. 

Your IT employees are no doubt doing a great job at what they do. We can step in to fill the gaps without your organization needing to hire new employees and add overhead. We’re here to meet you where you are and grow with you.

Contact us today for a consultation.