"Cyber Security: Global Food Supply Chain at Risk From Malicious Hackers"

Experts warn that modern "smart" farm machinery is vulnerable to hacking, putting global supply chains at risk. It is anticipated that hackers would exploit weaknesses in agricultural technology used to grow and harvest crops. John Deere, the agricultural manufacturing giant, claims it is now working to rectify any flaws in its software. According to a new report from the University of Cambridge, autonomous crop sprayers, drones, and robotic harvesters can all be hacked. Smart technology has grown in use to improve the efficiency and productivity of farms. For example, until recently, the labor-intensive harvesting of delicate food crops like asparagus was out of reach of machines. The new generation of agricultural robots employs Artificial Intelligence (AI) to reduce human participation. They may assist in filling a labor shortage or enhance yield, but there is growing concern over the inherent security risk, compounding worries about food-supply systems already jeopardized by the war in Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic. Chris Chavasse, co-founder of Muddy Machines, which is testing an autonomous asparagus-harvesting robot named Sprout, pointed out the possibility that malicious actors anywhere in the world could try to take control of these machines and force them to do whatever they want or simply stop them from working. He stated that someone might try to drive Sprout into a hedge or a ditch, or prohibit it from functioning. Therefore, they are working with security professionals to address any security vulnerabilities. Although asparagus farming is unlikely to be a primary target, Chavasse believes hackers might endanger mission-critical agricultural infrastructure. This article continues to discuss the vulnerability of the global food supply chain to cyberattacks.  

BBC reports "Cyber Security: Global Food Supply Chain at Risk From Malicious Hackers"