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Tag Archives cybersecurity — page 2

Activists target hog farm with ransomware
Livestock

Activists target hog farm with ransomware

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A ransomware on a small Ontario hog business is something a cybersecurity expert says needs more attention from the agriculture industry.   Instead of cash, the attackers demanded the hog business owners publicly admit to what they alleged to be livestock mistreatment. The occurrence was unique and alarming, says Ali Dehghantanha, Canada Research Chair in […] Read more
(File photo by Dave Bedard)
Livestock, Machinery

Cyberattack a $23 million hit on Maple Leaf ledger

Company refused to pay ransom

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Last fall’s ransomware attack at pork and poultry packer Maple Leaf Foods led to an “adverse economic impact” of $23 million or more on the company’s bottom line as it worked to restore systems, officials said. The company on Thursday released that estimate as part of its fourth-quarter financial report, in which it booked a […] Read more
File photo of a suspension footbridge in Thailand. (Tinnakorn Jorruang/iStock/Getty Images)
Machinery, Markets

Canada to boost defence, cyber security in Indo-Pacific policy

New policy document puts focus on 'disruptive' China

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Ottawa | Reuters — Canada launched its long-awaited Indo-Pacific strategy on Sunday, outlining $2.3 billion in spending to boost military and cyber security in the region and vowed to deal with a “disruptive” China while working with it on climate change and trade issues. The plan detailed in a 26-page document said Canada will tighten […] Read more
(File photo by Dave Bedard)
Livestock

Cybersecurity ‘incident’ hits Maple Leaf systems

Grocery firm Empire also dealing with IT grief

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Some information technology (IT) systems at Canadian pork and poultry packer Maple Leaf Foods have been downed in what the company described Monday as a “cybersecurity incident.” The company said in a release Monday that it “took immediate action and engaged cybersecurity and recovery experts” when it learned of the problem, and its in-house and […] Read more
A University of Guelph computer scientist said transparency about how data is being gathered and analyzed, which includes consent by producers, is needed.
News

Trust is a vital part of the digital era

University of Guelph computer scientist urges farmers to take cybersecurity more seriously

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Glacier FarmMedia – Cyberattacks and unethical use of data are problems that everyone must take seriously, says a researcher. That includes farmers, governments and agricultural technology providers. “My background is artificial intelligence. I support use of data. I’m not against that,” said Rozita Dara, an associate professor at the School of Computer Science at the […] Read more
(Glacier FarmMedia staff photo)
Machinery

Quebec’s UPA hit by ransomware attack

Farm organization, affiliate bodies affected

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Quebec’s overarching farmer organization, l’Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA), has confirmed its computer systems were hit by a ransomware attack earlier this month. UPA, in a release last Thursday, said it’s working with a cybersecurity firm to analyze the nature and scope of the attack, as well as any possible solutions to securely restore its […] Read more
A cybersecurity expert says better security options are needed for farm equipment technology.
News

Why is cybersecurity not a selling point?

Expert believes ag and automotive sector’s cybersecurity focus is lacking, despite immensity of threat

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The importance of cybersecurity can’t be understated so why don’t equipment companies market top-notch digital security capabilities as a feature in their products? For that matter, why are even passing mentions of cybersecurity rare?  These questions are posed by David Masson, a long-time digital security professional and director of enterprise security for the globe-spanning AI […] Read more
The Community Safety Knowledge Alliance has set up a voluntary online survey on cyber security for farmers.
News

Farm cybersecurity study underway

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Canadian farmers are being asked for their input on a federally-backed project to assess and improve cybersecurity in Canada’s ag sector. The Community Safety Knowledge Alliance, the lead organization on the Cyber Security Capacity in Canadian Agriculture project, has put up a voluntary online survey for farm operators, running until Feb. 18, “to look at how farmers […] Read more
(Andreus/iStock/Getty Images)
Machinery

Farm cybersecurity campaign seeks farmer input

CSKA online survey open until Feb. 18

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Canadian farmers are being asked for their input on a federally-backed project to assess and improve cybersecurity in Canada’s ag sector. The Community Safety Knowledge Alliance, the lead organization on the Cyber Security Capacity in Canadian Agriculture project, has put up a voluntary online survey for farm operators, running until Feb. 18, “to look at […] Read more
An expert says the risk of espionage and intellectual property theft is a real concern for agricultural companies and institutions.
News

Ag-sector at high risk of cyber attacks, espionage

Digital security must keep pace with increasing vulnerability, advise experts

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The risk of cyber attacks on agricultural businesses is ever-present and that risk might be increasing. According to Andrew Rose, digital security expert and executive director for CyberAg, an American cybersecurity organization, companies across the farm and food sector should take a more proactive approach to protecting vital electronic systems and all the information they […] Read more

Cyber-Savvy Farmer

Glacier Farmmedia Podcast