Digital danger on the farm
July 2, 2025 | Kriss Nelson
Nightly shop lockup might be part of your farm’s security. Maybe you have security cameras for surveillance as an added measure for your farm’s safety. But, is that enough?
From ransomware attacks shutting down agribusinesses to hackers tampering with GPS-guided equipment on the farm, cybersecurity threats are no longer just a problem in big cities. They’re showing up in rural America, putting your farm’s data, dollars and productivity at risk.
As farmers move toward more smart farming technologies that rely on the Internet of Things (IoT), this connectivity sets them up for potential cybercrimes that can affect livestock, crop production and financial systems.
The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Farm Management Team began laying the groundwork for increased cybersecurity in agriculture in 2022 and has since reached more than 2,600 farmers through workshops, conferences, webinars, and educational resources.
Addressing the increasing cybersecurity risks, Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach introduced the Cybersecurity Initiative Protects Iowa Farmers and Rural Businesses project in April 2022 to bolster rural digital security.
The initial project highlighted how straightforward, easy actions can create substantial change. For instance, farmers can begin by implementing strong passwords, multi-factor authentication and backup systems. A second project, Crisis Management for Smart Farming Systems on Iowa Farms, was launched in April 2025.
Both projects were supported by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)/ National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) grants. The farm management team is also partnering with the ISU Center for Cybersecurity Innovation and Outreach on the projects.
“I believe it was around 2021 when there was a noticeable surge in cybersecurity attacks targeting Iowa agriculture. We were hearing about incidents across different parts of the industry, especially in meatpacking and grain handling. That really prompted us to help farmers become more aware and better prepared for these kinds of threats,” says Madeline Schultz, ISU Extension Specialist and Women in Ag program leader.
As the program developed, they quickly learned how vulnerable farmers are to cyberattacks. From apps on a phone that help farmers automate fans in the pig barn to precision and GPS equipment in a tractor or combine, to making sales online to your local cooperative, it was clear farmers needed information to help them keep their business secure.
“We wanted a way to bring awareness to farmers and talk about steps they can take to protect their farm,” she says. “Even starting with awareness on how social media can open up farm families and farms to a cyberattack is important. Setting the security controls and being aware of potential scams can help.”
Emergency readiness planning
Imagine you lose internet and your phone lines go down — and suddenly you’ve got 1,000 head of livestock needing feed. What do you do? How do you reach the people delivering your feed? How do you communicate with your buyers? It’s an emergency, and you don’t know how long it will last. Maybe it’s a cyberattack. Or maybe a severe storm has hit.
“The FBI has told us bad actors have already infiltrated agricultural internet systems. And when they decide to act, it could be serious,” she says. “Bad actors have the capability to shut down critical systems quickly. Hopefully, they won’t, but the message is clear: we need to be prepared,” says Schultz.
In addition, Homeland Security and Emergency Management reports six presidential disaster declarations in Iowa over the last five years due to severe weather. Power outages and system failures can disrupt smart farming infrastructure for days, or even longer.
Given the serious risks posed by severe weather and cyber threats, farmers must be prepared.
The second project, “Crisis Management for Smart Farming Systems on Iowa Farms,” takes the approach that a farm has lost internet access for any reason.
This project will involve Cybersecurity Incident Management Exercises (CIME). To learn more about how CIME can help you, click here.
“Up to this point, we’ve talked about prevention. Now, we’re shifting to emergency planning, what to do if, or when, your systems go offline,” says Schultz. “We’re walking farmers through realistic, hands-on planning scenarios that are both practical and engaging. It’s all about thinking through the what-ifs before they become reality.”
The ISU farm management team aims to help farmers understand the vulnerabilities in crop, livestock, and financial computer and smart farming technologies. To achieve this, planning tools, checklists and resources are being developed to help farmers create their own emergency plans and establish backup systems.
Agriculture is one of 16 critical infrastructures in the United States, along with hospitals, power, and others.
“In the event of an emergency, we want to help farmers be prepared to take action quickly to minimize production and financial losses,” Schultz says.
The ISU Center for Cybersecurity Innovation and Outreach is also working with hospitals, doctors and communities to run similar emergency planning exercises.
“The goal is to prepare for situations where critical cyber systems go down, whether it’s in healthcare or at the community level,” she says. “It’s essential for farmers and agribusinesses to be just as prepared as the medical industry or the power grid.”
Cybersecurity resources, including recordings from ISU’s Cybersecurity on the Farm Webinar series and conference, are available here.
Written by Kriss Nelson
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