UK cybersecurity agency issues online safety advice for farmers

22 December 2020, 00:04

Farming
Farming stock. Picture: PA

The National Cyber Security Centre has published its first online tips for those in the farming sector, to help them protect their businesses.

The UK’s cybersecurity agency has issued its first online safety guidance for the farming sector as technology becomes increasingly important to agriculture.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has worked with the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) to create the tailor-made guidance, which includes advice on protecting farms against malware and dealing with scam messages and phone calls.

The NCSC said a rise in the use of technology such as GPS, remote sensors and farm management software meant the sector needed to take more action around security as statistics show an increase in reports of cyber attacks against the farming community.

The new guidance, which has been made available in full on the NCSC website, encourages farmers to keep their devices up to date and back up data, and gives guidance on where to go for help.

Sarah Lyons, NCSC deputy director for economy and safety, said: “Technology plays a huge role in modern farming and offers many benefits that will help the industry to thrive in the 21st century.

“We are teaming up with the NFU to share best online practice to the sector, as an increased use of technology also sees an increased risk of being targeted by cyber criminals.

“Staying safe online might seem daunting, but the actionable advice in Cyber Security for Farmers will help the sector to stay as safe as possible while embracing the latest technology.”

The tips form part of the NCSC’s wider Cyber Aware campaign, which pledges to improve cybersecurity and resilience across every part of the UK.

Stuart Roberts, deputy president at the NFU, said the new guidance would be important in helping farmers better protect their businesses.

“Rural crime is a huge issue for farm businesses and we rightly look to protect our farm buildings, machinery and our livestock,” he said.

“However, we all live and work in a digital world and we must be conscious of the threats this can bring to our businesses.

“It’s incredibly important that farmers take this seriously, which is why we’ve teamed up with the experts in the National Cyber Security Centre to help produce this guidance.

“I would urge all farmers to read this advice and take the necessary steps to reinforce their cybersecurity and protect their farm business.”

By Press Association

More Technology News

See more More Technology News

A laptop

Millions of older people being cut off by lack of basic internet skills – Age UK

A computer screen

Leading AI figures awarded honours

AI warning

Essays written with ChatGPT feature repetition of words and ideas – study

A broadband router

Big four broadband firms beaten by smaller rivals in latest Which? survey

A person pressing on the Tik Tok logo on the screen of a smartphone

TikTok to launch online election centres to counter misinformation

A person using a laptop

Up to eight million UK jobs at risk from AI, report says

Smartphone showing apps

One in six adolescents have experienced cyberbullying, global study finds

An Uber Eats driver

Uber Eats driver wins payout over discriminatory facial recognition checks

Rishi Sunak visits Cumbria

Sunak says UK ‘more robust’ on China than most allies

Chinese President state visit – Preparations

Minister calls China ‘security threat’ after UK and US blame Beijing for hacking

China

UK and US accuse China of ‘malicious’ global cyber attacks

A hand on a laptop

Tougher action needed to combat copycat banking websites, says Which?

Dowden

Dowden guarantees UK elections will be safe from Chinese cyber attacks

A woman’s hand pressing a key of a laptop keyboard

Cyber security agency says China behind ‘malicious’ cyber attacks on UK

A young girl uses the TikTok app on a smartphone

TikTok Youth Council holds first meetings on better online safety for teenagers

Margrethe Vestager

EU opens competition investigations into Apple, Google and Meta