Agtech adoption increases cybersecurity risks for farmers

The rapid adoption of agricultural technology (agtech) is introducing new cybersecurity risks to the farming sector. While more than 80 per cent of farmers now rely on digital tools for tasks such as remote stock management, watering systems, and automated milking, this connectivity creates vulnerabilities to hackers and scammers.

Industry analysts note that farm businesses are often less equipped to manage digital criminal risks compared to the broader business sector. Kyle Mulrooney, co-director of the University of New England’s Centre for Rural Criminology, observed that while farmers frequently discuss traditional rural crimes like stock or fuel theft, data security remains a secondary focus despite the risks associated with cloud-based data.

While agtech can assist in preventing physical theft through tools like CCTV and automatic gate locks, the shift toward internet-connected gear necessitates a greater emphasis on protecting personal information and sensitive operational data.