How can agribusinesses protect their precision agriculture technologies from cyber threats?

Precision agriculture technologies, such as sensors, drones, GPS, and data analytics, can help agribusinesses increase their productivity, efficiency, and sustainability. However, these technologies also expose agribusinesses to cyber threats, such as data breaches, malware, ransomware, denial-of-service attacks, and espionage. How can agribusinesses protect their precision agriculture technologies from cyber threats?

1 Assess the risks

The first step to protect your precision agriculture technologies is to assess the risks that you face. You need to identify what assets you have, such as devices, data, networks, and software, and how valuable they are to your business and your competitors. You also need to evaluate what threats you face, such as hackers, cybercriminals, competitors, activists, or rogue employees, and how likely they are to target you. By assessing the risks, you can prioritize your actions and allocate your resources accordingly.

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Hugo Wichert Jr

Specialist in International Credit Raising and Capital Market | Trading of Carbon Credit on INTERTRADING AGRONEGÓCIOS LTDA | Tax Structures | Judicial Deposit Recovery | Linkedin Top Voice
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Pela minha experiência em aplicação de tecnologia vi a migração das informações hospedados em computadores "internos" para "externos (nuvem). Creio eu que isso é um caminho sem volta. Essas estruturas em nuvem tem mais recursos técnicos para proteger as informações de ataques cibernéticos ou hackers. Mesmo assim vemos cases onde esta segurança é furada. Outra forma de proteger é ter níveis de uso e aprovação pelos colaboradores. Isso é pré determinado pelo gestor ou proprietário da operação. Para evitar que um funcionário acesse áreas do software que não lhe diz respeito. Outra forma de proteger os dados é fazer um backup diário num 2o computador em nuvem. Isso pode custar caro, mas pode ser interessante pelo valor envolvido na operação.

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2 Implement best practices

The second step to protect your precision agriculture technologies is to implement best practices for cybersecurity. This includes regularly updating devices and software to fix vulnerabilities and bugs, using strong passwords and encryption to secure data and communications, installing antivirus and firewall software to prevent and detect malware and intrusions, backing up data regularly, educating staff and partners on how to avoid phishing, scams, and social engineering, as well as creating and enforcing policies and procedures for data access, sharing, and disposal.

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3 Monitor and respond

The third step to protect your precision agriculture technologies is to monitor and respond to any potential or actual cyber incidents. You need to have a system and a team that can track and analyze your network activity, detect any anomalies or breaches, and alert you of any issues. You also need to have a plan and a protocol that can guide you on how to respond to an incident, such as isolating the affected devices, notifying the relevant authorities, recovering the data, and restoring the operations. You also need to learn from the incident and improve your security measures accordingly.

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Hugo Wichert Jr

Specialist in International Credit Raising and Capital Market | Trading of Carbon Credit on INTERTRADING AGRONEGÓCIOS LTDA | Tax Structures | Judicial Deposit Recovery | Linkedin Top Voice
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Acredito que hoje as tecnologias já tem "estrutura" de monitoramento de uso dela com relatórios sobre quem usou, o que fez, a que horas, etc. Além disso se é feito um backup diário é possível recuperar os dados do dia anterior a um evento cibernético externo e fazer as correções/atualizações devidas. Importante que este backup seja hospedado em outro servidor externo diferente de onde é hospedado o software em uso, para garantia total das informações.

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4 Collaborate and advocate

The fourth step to protect your precision agriculture technologies is to collaborate and advocate for a more secure and supportive environment. You need to work with other agribusinesses, industry associations, technology providers, researchers, and policymakers to share information, best practices, and resources on cybersecurity. You also need to advocate for more investment, innovation, regulation, and education on cybersecurity for the agribusiness sector. By collaborating and advocating, you can create a stronger and more resilient community that can face the cyber challenges together.

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Hugo Wichert Jr

Specialist in International Credit Raising and Capital Market | Trading of Carbon Credit on INTERTRADING AGRONEGÓCIOS LTDA | Tax Structures | Judicial Deposit Recovery | Linkedin Top Voice
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Eu tenho uma visão um pouco diferente sobre este tema. No Brasil já temos a lei da LGPD. Não creio que seja papel de associações trabalhar para melhoria na segurança sobre e para a tecnologia da informação Até porque cabe ao provedor do serviço, hospedagem garantir isso para o seu cliente. Muitos clientes. O expert no tema é a empresa de tecnologia e profissionais de TI e não o dono de uma operação agrícola. Meu entendimento é que para o sucesso de qualquer projeto, devemos ter "cada macaco no seu galho".

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5 Explore alternatives

The fifth step to protect your precision agriculture technologies is to explore alternatives that can reduce your dependence on or exposure to cyber threats. For example, you can use offline or local storage for your data instead of cloud or online services, or you can use open source or proprietary software instead of commercial or third-party software. You can also use alternative or backup technologies that can perform the same or similar functions as your precision agriculture technologies, such as manual or mechanical methods, in case of an emergency or a disruption. By exploring alternatives, you can diversify your options and increase your flexibility.

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6 Stay updated and informed

The sixth and final step to protect your precision agriculture technologies is to stay updated and informed on the latest developments and trends in cybersecurity and precision agriculture. You need to keep abreast of the new technologies, threats, solutions, and opportunities that can affect your business and your sector. You also need to seek advice, guidance, and support from experts, consultants, and peers who can help you improve your cybersecurity and precision agriculture practices. By staying updated and informed, you can adapt and innovate in a dynamic and competitive environment.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can agribusinesses protect their precision agriculture technologies from cyber threats?

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1 Assess the risks

2 Implement best practices

3 Monitor and respond

4 Collaborate and advocate

5 Explore alternatives

6 Stay updated and informed

7 Here’s what else to consider

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