Cybersecurity headlines highlight need to review systems, firm says

San Jose, Calif.-based cybersecurity consulting firm ZAG Technical Services is reminding companies to plan to check their tech in light of recent news of ransomware attacks on industry-leading ag companies. 

“Cybersecurity is one of the greatest risks to modern agriculture and today’s food supply chain,” Greg Gatzke, president of ZAG Technical Services, said in a news release. “As the most recent ransomware attack highlights, every area of business is impacted, not just that company’s bottom line, but also availability of product to the end consumer.” 

Companies of all sizes and technical preparedness are at risk, he said. 

The FBI has warned that the agriculture and food industry is at risk to cybercrimes, and recent data indicates cybercrime is up over 31%, the release said. 

In fact, a Newsweek article published late last year addressed the growing landscape of agtech, along with the gaps in service and maintenance of that tech. Service and maintenance in agtech, manufacturing equipment and even ERP integrations are often overlooked, adding additional risk to securing company networks, the release said. 

Related: Is your produce business prepared for a cybersecurity attack?

Related: Turning tech investments into a competitive advantage

“Even if you do everything right, smart criminals may still be able to find a weak spot in your network and if they do, they will exploit it,” Gatzke said in the release. “Defense is important, but a worthwhile cybersecurity plan includes detailed response and recovery plans as well.”

As the industrial internet of things grows, every business faces more risk. A breakthrough at any point in the network of the connected farm, packaging, warehousing and office operations could put the entire system at risk, including negatively impacting partners and vendors, the release said. Companies looking to protect themselves should consult with specialists in information technology and cybersecurity to identify their risks and assess their needs.

The growth of connected devices in agtech has created the need for managed service providers knowledgeable about not just information technology, but also agribusiness, and are prepared to get and keep producers safe and online in a high-tech world, the release said.

“The best step in protection is being prepared not just for the attack, but for what comes after,” Gatzke said in the release. “It costs far less to implement and maintain a technical service plan that includes a holistic approach to system maintenance and protection than solving a cybersecurity breach after it happens, as costs add up not just for technical resolution, but lost business and sales.”