Cybersecurity Guide

  • Bootcamps
  • Degrees
    • Associate in Cybersecurity
    • Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity
    • Master’s in Cybersecurity
    • Graduate Certificate
    • Cybersecurity Analytics Degree
    • Computer science with cybersecurity emphasis
    • MBA in cybersecurity
    • phd in cybersecurity
    • Cybersecurity law degree
  • Online
    • Online Certificate in Cybersecurity
    • online bachelor’s in cybersecurity
    • online IT degree
    • online master’s in cybersecurity
    • Online master’s in information security
    • online phd in cybersecurity
  • CERTIFICATIONS
    • Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
    • Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
    • Certified Information Security Systems Professional (CISSP)
    • Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
    • Digital Forensics Certifications
    • Security+
    • CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+)
    • Certified Network Defender (CND)
    • OSCP
    • CRISC
    • Pen Testing
    • CTIA
    • Cryptography
    • Malware Analyst
  • CAREER GUIDES
    • Security Engineer
    • Chief Information Security Officer
    • Security Analyst
    • Computer Forensics
    • Security Consultant
    • Digital Forensics
    • Cryptographer
    • Security Administrator
    • Penetration Tester
    • Security Software Developer
    • Security Specialist
    • Security Code Auditor
    • Security Architect
    • Malware Analyst
    • Data Protection Officer
    • Cybercrime Investigator
    • Cryptanalyst
    • Security Incident Responder
    • Chief Privacy Officer
    • Risk Manager
    • Network Administrator
    • Business InfoSec Officer
    • Information Security Manager
  • States
    • Alabama
    • Alaska
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • California
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Hawaii
    • Idaho
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Kentucky
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Mississippi
    • Missouri
    • Montana
    • Nebraska
    • Nevada
    • New Hampshire
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • North Carolina
    • North Dakota
    • Ohio
    • Oklahoma
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Rhode Island
    • South Carolina
    • South Dakota
    • Tennessee
    • Texas
    • Utah
    • Vermont
    • Virginia
    • Washington
    • Washington, DC
    • Wisconsin
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Podcast
  • Resource Center
    • Centers for Academic Excellence
    • Job Guide
    • Veteran’s Guide
    • Women’s Guide
    • Internship Guide
    • Security Clearance Guide
    • Ethical Hacker Guide
    • Coding for Cybersecurity Guide
    • Cybersecurity 101
    • Student Guide to Internet Safety
    • Scholarship Guide
    • Cybersecurity Math Guide
    • Small Business Guide
    • Cybersecurity for K-12 students
    • Career Networking Guide
    • What is a Cyber Range?
    • Code Like a Hacker
    • Reacting to a Cyber Incident
    • Introduction to Cyber Defense
    • Cybersecurity Courses Online
    • Recommended Reading
    • Phishing Attacks
    • Cybersecurity Responsibility
    • How to Get Into Cybersecurity
    • Cyberwarfare
    • Cybersecurity Insurance
    • Job Interview Prep
    • Readiness Economy
    • Is Cyber a Good Career?
    • What is CyberCorps?
    • DEI in Cyber
    • NIST and Small Business
  • Research
    • AI and Cybersecurity
    • Holiday Hacks
    • Jobs Report
  • Industries
    • Financial Sector
    • Insurance Sector
    • Healthcare Sector
    • Environmental Sector
    • Energy Sector
    • Government Sector
    • Transportation Sector
    • Food and Ag Sector

Shielding the supply: Cybersecurity in food and agriculture

Written by Steven Bowcut – Last updated: April 3, 2025
In this guide
  • Overview
  • Issues in the industry
  • Notable attacks
  • Challenges in the industry
  • Solutions
  • FAQ

The digital evolution of the US food and agriculture sector has, by 2025, made cybersecurity a top-tier concern.

Recognizing the heightened risks to food security and economic stability posed by escalating cyber threats, including disruptive ransomware attacks, a collaborative effort has emerged.

The recently reintroduced Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act (H.R. 7062) seeks to address these vulnerabilities, acknowledging the growing risks associated with automation, AI, and cloud-based systems.

Food & agriculture industry overview

Historically, the food and agriculture sector has not been a notable target for cybercriminals.

Today, however, threat actors see the world’s dependence on a well-established food supply chain as an opportunity to use malware, such as ransomware, as leverage to achieve their nefarious aims. 

Food and agriculture companies now use a wide range of technologies to automate and optimize their operations, including production, processing, distribution, and retail which created new vulnerabilities that can be exploited by cybercriminals.

A cyberattack on a food and agriculture company could disrupt food production and distribution, leading to food shortages and higher prices. It could also contaminate food products, putting consumers at risk of food poisoning.

Despite being increasingly aware of the cybersecurity threats it faces, the food and agriculture sector still has work to do to improve its cybersecurity posture.

Related resources

  • Cybersecurity in critical industries
  • Cybersecurity 101 for the digital age
  • Protecting the power grid: Cybersecurity in the energy sector
  • Digital safeguards: Navigating cybersecurity in transportation
  • Understanding how cybersecurity is critical for small businesses

Cybersecurity issues in the food and agriculture industry

The Food and Agriculture Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Food and Ag-ISAC) highlights the growing threat of ransomware attacks on the food and agriculture sector.

In 2024, ransomware incidents targeting this sector increased to 212, accounting for 5.8 percent of all such attacks, a rise from 167 incidents in 2023.

The report identifies RansomHub as a key player, a ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) group that gained prominence by offering affiliates a lucrative 90/10 profit-sharing model.

The most common attack methods include exploiting publicly exposed vulnerabilities, phishing, and social engineering. Despite law enforcement efforts disrupting major groups like LockBit and BlackCat, new ransomware strains continue to emerge, posing ongoing risks.

To mitigate these threats, the report recommends implementing robust cybersecurity practices, such as regular system updates, phishing awareness training, network segmentation, and secure data backups. These measures are critical to improving the sector’s resilience against ransomware attacks.

Learn more about cybersecurity in transportation

Notable cybersecurity incidents

JBS Foods (June 2021): A ransomware attack forced JBS, the world’s largest meat producer, to shut down all U.S. beef plants, processing nearly 20 percent of the nation’s meat supply. The company paid an $11 million ransom to minimize supply chain disruptions.

Dole Food Company (2023): A cyberattack disrupted operations, leading to product shortages and delays. The company faced significant financial and operational challenges as a result. ​

Stop & Shop (November 2024): A cybersecurity incident affected supply chain and delivery operations, causing shortages of fresh produce, meat, and dairy products in several U.S. states. ​

Krispy Kreme (November 2024): A cyberattack targeted Krispy Kreme’s IT systems, disrupting online ordering during a significant promotional period. ​

Blue Yonder Ransomware Attack (November 2024): A ransomware attack on Blue Yonder, a supply chain technology provider, disrupted operations for clients including Starbucks, Morrisons, and Sainsbury’s. ​

Starbucks (November 2024): Following the Blue Yonder attack, Starbucks faced challenges in employee scheduling and payroll tracking, resorting to manual processes to ensure operations continued smoothly.

Challenges in the food & agriculture industry

One of the main reasons Americans think little about threats to and the fragility of the food supply chain is that it ordinarily runs so smoothly.

As a result, even though the nation’s food supply chain is one of the 16 critical infrastructure sectors designated by the Department of Homeland Security, it receives comparatively little attention from security professionals compared to other sectors like airline security or the power grid. 

Learn more about cybersecurity in critical industries

The food and agriculture industry is highly dependent on automation to keep prices low and distribution running smoothly. The systems that enable automation are often thought to be at a lower risk for cyberattacks because they can be insulated from the internet with dedicated or segmented networks. 

This perception that an air gap exists between automated food processing systems and the internet is a red herring argument. Rarely are these systems completely isolated, and even when they are, there is always a need to update the operating system and production software.

Vulnerabilities can be introduced during the update process, as happened during last year’s SolarWinds attack. A false sense of security increases the risk of attack. 

Even if the automated systems that power food production factories were hypothetically isolated entirely from the internet, attackers would not need to access them to stop production.

As the JBS Meat ransomware attack illustrates, by shutting down the business operations of a food provider, their ability to continue production ceases. 

The food and agriculture sector has embraced production automation technology and digital business systems faster than they have modernized its cybersecurity operations.

Some experts theorize that this is because, until the recent proliferation of ransomware that makes any business a likely target, the food and agriculture industry has largely evaded attention from cybercriminals. 

Cybersecurity solutions for the food & agriculture industry

As cyber threats continue to evolve, the food and agriculture industry faces unique risks that could disrupt supply chains, compromise critical systems, and endanger sensitive data.

To strengthen cybersecurity resilience, industry leaders and government agencies have adopted key protective measures:

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): By requiring multiple forms of verification before granting access, MFA significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized entry into critical systems. This added layer of security helps protect sensitive operational data and prevents cybercriminals from exploiting weak passwords.

Regular Software Updates: Keeping software up to date is crucial in closing security gaps that attackers might exploit. Software patches and updates help eliminate vulnerabilities, reinforce system defenses, and ensure that the technology infrastructure is equipped to handle emerging threats.

Learn more about cybersecurity terminologies

Cybersecurity Training: Employees play a vital role in maintaining cybersecurity. Regular training programs help staff recognize common cyber threats, such as phishing attempts, ransomware, and malware. By educating employees on best practices for data security, organizations can minimize human errors that lead to breaches.

Public-Private Collaboration: Recognizing the importance of industry-wide cooperation, CISA focused its 2024 Cyber Storm exercise on improving cyber incident response in the food and agriculture sector.

Conclusion

​In summary, the increasing digitization of the food and agriculture sector has introduced significant cybersecurity challenges that threaten the stability of food production and distribution systems.

Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach, including the implementation of multi-factor authentication, regular software updates, employee cybersecurity training, and enhanced public-private collaborations, exemplified by initiatives like CISA’s 2024 Cyber Storm exercise.

By adopting these strategies, the food and agriculture industry can strengthen its defenses against cyber threats, ensuring the security and resilience of the nation’s food supply chain.

Frequently asked questions

Why is cybersecurity important for the food and agriculture industry?

Cybersecurity is crucial for the food and agriculture industry to ensure the safe production, distribution, and consumption of food. Cyberattacks can disrupt supply chains, compromise food safety, and impact economic stability.

What types of cyber threats does the food and agriculture sector face?

The sector is vulnerable to ransomware attacks, phishing campaigns, attacks on automated farming equipment, insider threats, and vulnerabilities in supply chain management systems.

How do modern farming technologies impact cybersecurity?

While modern farming technologies, such as precision agriculture and automated irrigation systems, enhance productivity and sustainability, they also introduce new cyber vulnerabilities due to their reliance on software and connectivity.

What role does IoT play in food and agriculture cybersecurity?

Internet of Things (IoT) devices, such as sensors in farming and food processing, offer enhanced efficiency but also present new security challenges. Ensuring these devices are secure is crucial to prevent potential disruptions.

How can food and agriculture companies bolster their cybersecurity defenses?

Companies can enhance cybersecurity by conducting regular risk assessments, implementing multi-layered defense strategies, training employees on best practices, and collaborating with cybersecurity experts.

How do cyberattacks impact the food supply chain?

Cyberattacks can disrupt production schedules, compromise food safety systems, and lead to economic losses, affecting both producers and consumers.

Why are attacks on food and agriculture infrastructure concerning?

Attacks on this infrastructure can lead to food shortages, price volatility, and even public health concerns if food safety is compromised.

Sources

  • Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act of 2024 | Sourced from US Congress in Apr 2025
  • Food and Ag Sector 2024 Cyber Threat Report | From Food and Ag-ISAC in Apr 2025
  • Farm-To-Table Ransomware Realities | From Food and Ag-ISAC in Apr 2025
  • Agri-Food Sector Under Increasing Threat From Cyber Attacks |From Forbes in Apr 2025
  • 2024 Cyber Storm exercise | Sourced from CISA in Apr 2025

Primary Sidebar

  • Online Programs
    • Master’s
    • Bachelor’s
    • Bootcamps & Certificates
Sponsored Ad
cybersecurityguide.org is an advertising-supported site. Clicking in this box will show you programs related to your search from schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other information published on this site.
  • CERTIFICATIONS
    • Azure
    • CASP+
    • CCNA
    • CEH
    • CISA
    • CISM
    • CISSP
    • CRISC
    • Cryptography
    • CTIA
    • CND
    • Forensics
    • Malware Analyst
    • OSCP
    • Pen Testing
    • Security+
  • CAREERS
    • Security Engineer
    • Chief Information Security Officer
    • Security Analyst
    • Computer Forensics
    • Security Consultant
    • Digital Forensics
    • Cryptographer
    • Security Administrator
    • Penetration Tester
    • Security Software Developer
    • Security Specialist
    • Security Code Auditor
    • Security Architect
    • Malware Analyst
    • Data Protection Officer
    • Cybercrime Investigator
    • Cryptanalyst
    • Security Incident Responder
    • Chief Privacy Officer
    • Risk Manager
    • Network Administrator
    • Business InfoSec Officer
    • Information Security Manager
    • Cyber Operations Specialist
  • RESOURCE CENTER
    • Centers for Academic Excellence
    • Job Guide
    • Veteran’s Guide
    • Women’s Guide
    • Internship Guide
    • Security Clearance Guide
    • Ethical Hacker Guide
    • Coding for Cybersecurity Guide
    • Cybersecurity 101
    • Student Guide to Internet Safety
    • Scholarship Guide
    • Cybersecurity Math Guide
    • Small Business Guide
    • Cybersecurity for K-12 Students
    • Career Networking Guide
    • What is a Cyber Range?
    • Code Like a Hacker
    • Reacting to a Cyber Incident
    • Introduction to Cyber Defense
    • Cybersecurity Courses Online
    • Recommended Reading
    • Phishing Attacks
    • Cybersecurity Responsibility
    • How to Get Into Cybersecurity
    • Cyberwarfare
    • Cybersecurity Insurance
    • Job Interview Prep
    • Readiness Economy
    • Is Cyber a Good Career?
    • What is CyberCorps?
    • DEI in Cyber
    • NIST and Small Business
  • RESEARCH
    • AI and Cybersecurity
    • Holiday Hacks
    • Jobs Report
  • INDUSTRIES
    • Financial Sector
    • Insurance Sector
    • Healthcare Sector
    • Environmental Sector
    • Energy Sector
    • Government Sector
    • Transportation Sector
    • Food and Agriculture Sector
Cybersecurity Guide
  • Home
  • Campus Programs
  • About Us
  • Popular Careers
  • Online Programs
  • Terms of Use
  • Resources
  • Programs By State
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Cybersecurity Guide · All Rights Reserved