Agriculture was the seventh most targeted industry for ransomware attacks in 2023. It is a topic researchers at Purdue University have been watching closely.
They warn risks are becoming greater, potentially impacting supply chains and financial security. Economists say farms are especially vulnerable because there is not a lot of IT investment. There is also a lack of training, with many agribusiness employees unaware attacks are happening.
They suggest having employee trainings and performing equipment upgrades as needed, including firewalls and encryption tools.
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“Now, we don’t know if income is dependent on a trade issue, and extra payment or disaster... or any number of things that we used to not have as high on the list of potential problems.”
“We raise one-third of the total U.S. pigs raised here come from Iowa. So, one out of every three pigs is raised right here in Iowa.”
