Why the food and ag sector is a prime target for ransomware attacks

News

Why the food and ag sector is a prime target for ransomware attacks

An expert in ag business computer systems says the food and ag sector is a prime target for ransomware attacks.

Michael Moore is with EFC Systems, a company that develops software and digital solutions for ag businesses.

“Budgets are allocating less than 1% of their gross revenues to technology, so they are easy targets. There is a lot of vulnerabilities based on limited budgets in ag and I feel like that is fairly well-known.”

He tells Brownfield anyone in the sector with sensitive data like social security and tax identification numbers stored on computers should be prepared for a ransomware attack.

“I would say anybody who is relying on computer systems to run their business should be looking at this and then making sure that we are protecting that data. Those two sides of the fence are the ones that are going to be the most impactful.”

Moore says ag businesses big and small should work with in-house or third-party technology consulting to implement proper security and an action plan in the event of a ransomware attack.

More information about ransomware preparedness can be found at stopransomware.gov.

Brownfield interviewed Moore during the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association Convention in Peoria.

Interview with Michael Moore

.