As agriculture becomes increasingly connected through precision equipment, mobile devices and digital platforms, cybersecurity is becoming a bigger concern for farmers. Kristen King, an OT and ICS security risk management specialist, says farmers must take an active role in protecting their information. “Everything is becoming more interconnected, but none of this equipment, including your phone, is made securely,” said King. “Because it is not secure by design, it becomes the end user’s responsibility to secure it.” King wants farmers to ask more questions before adopting new technology. “Ask what they are doing with your data,” said King. “Ask who owns the data, whether it is being sold, what reports are being generated and what access you have to it; producers need to take charge of what belongs to them, including the data coming off their machines.” King adds that some of the biggest cyber threats are often the simplest. Producers should verify unexpected invoices, banking requests and suspicious texts or emails before responding or taking action.
