b'Food security is national security. Agriculture is connected to public health, water security, animal health and more. We need to protect it from evolving threats. Josh DetreA threat to one aspect can spread quickly, affect- Agriculture is a cornerstone of national and ing the entire supply chain. global economies and cyberattacks on agricultural systems can disrupt food production and distribu-Supporting Smaller Companies andtion, leading to shortages and economic instability. Individual Growers Protecting sensitive data, such as financial infor-The partnership also aims to benefit smallermation, customer details, and proprietary farming seed companies and individual growers. Braleypractices, is also essential to prevent breaches mentioned that while not all companies havethat could compromise privacy and operational the resources to join the ISAC, the organizationsecurity. The increasing reliance on mobile devices is developing guides and reports to support thein modern farming introduces additional vulner-entire sector. abilities. These devices, used for monitoring and Feras Batarseh,We understand that smaller companies maymanaging crops, livestock and equipment, can be Associate Professor ofnot have dedicated cyber teams, he says. Ourtargets for hackers.Research at Virginiagoal is to share lessons learned and provide adviceMaintaining trust and reputation is another cru-Tech University. to improve their defenses. cial aspect of cybersecurity in agriculture. Farmers Detre highlights the critical role of Cooperativeand agricultural businesses need to uphold strong Extension activities in reaching smaller farms. relationships with consumers, suppliers, and Many small farms lack the capacity to managepartners. Cyber incidents can severely damage cybersecurity, he says. Integrating cybersecuritythis trust, resulting in long-term reputational harm into extension activities and finding novel solutionsand financial loss. Additionally, ensuring food is essential. safety and quality is paramount; cyberattacks that compromise agricultural systems can lead to con-Food and Ag Security is National Security tamination or alteration of food products, posing Looking ahead, the ISAC plans to expand the part- significant risks to public health. Investing in robust nership to include more universities and agricul- cybersecurity measures is essential for protecting tural companies. the seed industry and the whole agricultural sector, We launched this partnership with an initial setensuring the stability, safety and sustainability of of partners weve worked with before, but werefood production systems.open to expanding as we identify more interestedFood security is national security, Detre says. universities and organizations, Braley says. Agriculture is connected to public health, water Matt Hammons,The broader implications of cybersecurity insecurity, animal health and more. We need to pro-Assistant Vice Presidentagriculture extend beyond immediate threats.tect it from evolving threats.and Director of FederalCybersecurity is paramount for the seed industryOur main goal is to ensure a safe food supply Relations at thedue to the high value of intellectual property (IP)for years to come. This collaboration between University of Nebraska. involved. Seed companies invest significantly inindustry, academia, and government is a step in research and development to create new, resil- the right direction, Braley says.ient seed varieties. Protecting IP from cyber theftWe need to be creative in communication and is critical to maintaining a competitive edge andstrategic in addressing these issues, Hammons ensuring financial returns. adds. The synergies from this partnership are The integrity of data used in precision agricul- promising.SWture is essential. Cyberattacks can corrupt or alter crucial data, leading to inaccurate planting, breed-ing, and crop management decisions, which can result in substantial financial losses and operational disruptions. Ensuring supply chain security is alsoWHERE vital, as cyber incidents can interrupt the distribu- ON THE WEBtion of seeds, affecting availability and quality for farmers and ultimately impacting the food supply. To learn more about the groups progress, visit www.foodandag-isac.org/.26/ SEEDWORLD.COMSEPTEMBER 2024'