Written by Meghan Mackenzie Bell, CIP, CAIB, Agricultural Insurance Specialist
Technology is now part of everyday life on many Canadian farms. Automated feeding systems, robotic milking equipment, herd monitoring tools, GPS tracking, remote sensors and cloud-based software can all help farms work more efficiently. They can save time, improve visibility and support better decisions, but they also create new cyber risks.
On a modern farm, a cyberattack is not just a technology issue. It can quickly become a business and operations issue.
If a system that controls feed, ventilation, temperature or milk cooling stops working – for example, if you’re locked out of systems by a ransomware attack – the impact can be serious. Animal health can suffer. Product can be lost. Daily schedules can be thrown off and customer commitments can be harder to meet. If herd management software or tracking tools go down, it can also create confusion.
In the modern environment, cybersecurity needs to be part of how farms think about risk.
Why Farms Face Growing Cyber Risk
As farms use more digital tools, there are more ways for attackers to get in. Some devices still use default passwords. Others may not be updated often enough. In some cases, equipment vendors or third parties have remote access to farm systems. If that access is not managed carefully, it can create another point of risk.
Cloud-based systems can also be vulnerable. Weak login security, shared passwords or poor access controls can make it easier for attackers to get into important systems. Even one compromised email account can lead to problems if it gives someone access to financial records, supplier communications or software used to keep the farm running.
For farms that depend on automation, downtime can be expensive. When key systems are disrupted, operations often pay the price in lost time, lost product, added stress and extra recovery expenses.
5 Simple Steps that Can Make a Difference in Farm Cybersecurity
The good news is that improving farm cybersecurity does not always mean making major changes. Often, the most important steps are simple ones.
- Start by changing default passwords on all devices and using strong, unique passwords across systems. Turn on multi-factor authentication wherever possible, especially for email, cloud platforms and remote access tools.
- Keep software and firmware up to date. Updates often include fixes for known security issues. Delaying them can leave systems exposed.
- Separate systems where possible. For example, the tools that run feeding, sensors or barn equipment should not be on the same network as office computers or financial systems. That can help limit the damage if one part of the system is compromised.
- Train staff on the warning signs to watch for. Strange login alerts, sudden slowdowns, unusual equipment behaviour or unexpected payment requests should all be taken seriously.
- Back up critical systems and data and test restores so you know you can recover.
Make a Plan Before a Cyberattack Happens
Prevention is important, but so is preparation. Every farm that relies on digital tools should have a basic plan for what to do if something goes wrong.
That plan should cover who to call, which systems matter most, how backups are handled and what steps to take to reduce disruption. A clear response plan can help a farm act faster and recover sooner.
It is also worth reviewing farm insurance coverage. Many farms are well-protected against physical risks, but less certain about cyber-related losses. Depending on the operation and the coverage, cyber insurance may help with costs related to business interruption, data recovery, fraud, legal expenses and breach response.
Technology can help farms run better and more efficiently. But it also needs to be managed carefully. For Canadian farmers, cybersecurity is now part of doing business.
