Sen. Ernst raises concerns following JBS cyberattack

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Ernst raises concerns following JBS cyberattack

Congressional leaders are raising concerns about the U.S. food supply being vulnerable to cyberattacks.

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa tells Brownfield the federal government needs to work with private industry to ensure their cyber “hygiene” is very good.

“Because it does create an impact to the citizens of the United States. But on the other hand, we need to also be able to respond to these attacks, figure out who these hackers are, and then hold them accountable.”

A ransomware attack on JBS, the world’s largest meatpacker, shuttered nine beef plants and disrupted production at pork and poultry plants across the U.S. last week.

Ernst says the industry has a ways to go to become proactive instead of reactive.

“To make sure there is an opportunity to push back, prevent these attacks from occurring in the first place again with good cyber hygiene, good cyber security. But then also notifying the federal government when these attacks occur.”

Ernst, a Republican member of the Senate Ag Committee, says coordinated efforts can protect the U.S. from future cyberattacks. 

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