Dr Saeed Reyman, left, and Professor David Glynn at Flinders, Tonsley.
Wide-ranging use of smart technologies is raising global agricultural production but international researchers warn this digital-age phenomenon could reap a crop of another kind – cybersecurity attacks.
Complex IT and math modelling at King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia, Aix-Marseille University, France and Flinders University in South Australia, has highlighted the risks in a new article in the open access journal Sensors.
“Smart sensors and systems are used to monitor crops, plants, the environment, water, soil moisture, and diseases,” says lead author Professor Abel Alahmadi from King Abdulaziz University.
“The transformation to digital agriculture would improve the quality and quantity of food for the ever-increasing human population, which is forecast to reach 10.9 billion by 2100.”
This progress in production, genetic modification for drought-resistant crops, and other technologies is prone to cyber-attack – particularly if the ag-tech sector doesn’t take adequate precautions like other corporate or defence sectors, researchers warn.
Flinders University researcher Dr Saeed Rehman says the rise of internet connectivity and smart low-power devices has facilitated the shift of many labour-intensive food production jobs into the digital domain – including modern techniques for accurate irrigation, soil and crop monitoring using drone surveillance.
“However, we should not overlook security threats and vulnerabilities to digital agriculture, in particular possible side-channel attacks specific to ag-tech applications,” says Dr Rehman, an expert in cybersecurity and networking.
“Digital agriculture is not immune to cyber-attack, as seen by interference to a US watering system, a meatpacking firm, wool broker software and an Australian beverage company.”
“Extraction of cryptographic or sensitive information from the operation of physical hardware is termed side-channel attack,” adds Flinders co-author Professor David Glynn.
“These attacks could be easily carried out with physical access to devices, which the cybersecurity community has not explicitly investigated.”
The researchers recommend investment into precautions and awareness about the vulnerabilities of digital agriculture to cyber-attack, with an eye on the potential serious effects on the general population in terms of food supply, labour and flow-on costs.
Original Article: Food cyber attacks forecast
More from: Flinders University | King Abdulaziz University | Aix-Marseille University
The Latest Updates from Bing News & Google News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Cyber attacks on food production
- Over 200 Organizations Targeted in Chinese Cyberespionage Campaign
Chinese cyberespionage group Mustang Panda was seen targeting maritime, shipping, border control, and immigration organizations ...
- Dole confirms employee details were stolen in ransomware attack
Dole said in the filing that it was “the victim of a sophisticated ransomware attack involving unauthorized access to employee information” and that it had taken steps to contain the attack, including ...
- 3 Cybersecurity Stocks to Watch as Cybercrime Explodes
Even with all the warnings of cyberattacks, we’re still not prepared, which is a big reason to load up on these top cybersecurity stocks to buy. An attack recently forced produce giant Dole to shut ...
- Food supply vulnerable to cyber crime
Agriculture’s vulnerability to cyber-attacks was highlighted at the Africa Agri Tech conference in Pretoria this week. Billy Petzer, researcher of cyber security systems at the CSIR said, if risks ...
- Safety Net: A flock of chickens, held for ransom — Growing cyberattacks on Canada's food system threaten disaster
Russia’s attacks ... food production — though Ottawa has designated food as one of the top 10 critical infrastructure sectors. Janos Botschner is the the lead investigator of the Cyber ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Cyber attacks on food production
[google_news title=”” keyword=”cyber attacks on food production” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Digital agriculture
- New Holland Is Fostering Careers in Agriculture for Young Women Across Australia
Globally, Case IH and New Holland Agriculture supply 360° agriculture applications from machines to implements and the digital technologies that enhance them; and CASE and New Holland Construction ...
- Digital agriculture sector expanding
Throughout history, the tools we use to cultivate our food have adapted, owing to the creation and adoption of new technologies, from the earliest cultivation of grains using manual tools made of wood ...
- Digital Farming Market: Global Industry Analysis by Size, Share, Growth, Sourcing Strategy, Scope, Demand and Forecast to 2029
The Digital Farming Market Report provide comprehensive coverage of both global and regional markets. The report ...
- Nat'l Digital Agricultural Extension and Advisory Service Launches Implementation Phase of Roadmap
Addis Ababa March 28/2023 (ENA) The National Digital Agricultural Extension and Advisory Service (DAEAS) Roadmap 2030 Stakeholders Forum formally launched the implementation of DAEAS' roadmap today.
- Digital Agriculture Software Market Size and Market Status Forecast with a CAGR of 10.9% from 2023 to 2030
Digital Agriculture Software market outlook (2023-2030) provides a thorough analysis of the market's current state, including factors such as market size, growth rate, segmentation, and key players.
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Digital agriculture
[google_news title=”” keyword=”digital agriculture” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
