16 A SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO farm recently made news after a ‘ransomware’ cyberattack. While in this case, the hackers demanded a public admission of alleged pig mistreatment, cyberattacks are usually about money. Ransomware attacks, where infiltrators gain access to your data and prevent your access until a sum is paid, are the most common type of cyberattack today. Farms are not immune. “Any business making money, whether in farming or not, is a target,” explains Dr. Ali Dehghantanha, Canada research chair in cybersecurity and threat intelligence at the University of Guelph’s Cyber Science Lab. “Regardless of your farm size, type, or location, if you are vulnerable, you will be attacked. The good news is that there are many helpful resources for farmers now available so that you can educate yourself and take action.” One farm cyber-vulnerability, notes Dehghantanha, lies within the sensor networks now in widespread use — networks that Keeping your data safe CYBERSECURITY FOR YOUR FARM BUSINESS Treena Hein can be accessed remotely by attackers. Dr. Lenore Newman, director of the Food and Agriculture Institute at BC’s University of the Fraser Valley, agrees. “Cyber-terrorists will target any farm with significant automated systems, even tractors and other ‘firmware’ in sectors such as grain. Farm equipment is extremely valuable and thus vulnerable to hacks.” Dehghantanha advises ensuring all your farm’s IT services have two-step verification, updating all your systems promptly when Industry News
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