Adrian Johnson
TLDR:
- Sonoma County Farm Bureau hosting workshop on cyber and on-farm security
- Experts from FBI and Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office to discuss cyber threats and securing farm facilities
In response to the increasing cyber threats against the agriculture industry, the Sonoma County Farm Bureau is hosting a workshop on cyber and on-farm security on July 22 at its office in Santa Rosa. The workshop will feature FBI Supervisory Intelligence Analyst Wade Greening, who will discuss the rise in cyberattacks on agricultural operations, specifically targeting wineries and processing facilities. Additionally, Thomas Waltz from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office will provide insights on securing farm and dairy facilities to fortify defenses against cyber threats. Members of the Sonoma County Rural Crimes Task Force will also join to offer expertise on safeguarding agricultural operations. The workshop aims to equip farmers and stakeholders with practical knowledge to protect their operations from cyber and physical threats.
Key Points from the Article:
In response to increasing cyber threats against agriculture, Sonoma County Farm Bureau hosting workshop on cyber and on-farm security.
Experts from FBI and Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office to discuss rise in cyberattacks targeting wineries and processing facilities, as well as provide insights on securing farm and dairy facilities.
Collaborative effort highlights importance of protecting all sectors of agriculture from cyber threats.
Full Article:
In response to the increasing cyber threats against the agriculture industry, the Sonoma County Farm Bureau is hosting a workshop on cyber and on-farm security on July 22 at its office in Santa Rosa. This event aims to address the growing need for stronger defenses against cyberattacks that have recently targeted various agricultural operations, including wineries. Experts from the FBI and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office will discuss the rise in cyber threats and provide insights on securing farm and dairy facilities.
FBI Supervisory Intelligence Analyst Wade Greening will discuss the alarming increase in cyberattacks on the agriculture industry, particularly targeting wineries and processing facilities. The FBI has warned that cybercriminals see agricultural cooperatives and businesses as lucrative targets, especially during critical planting and harvest seasons. Thomas Waltz, project manager for the Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit of the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, will share insights on securing farm and dairy facilities to fortify defenses against cyber threats.
Members of the Sonoma County Rural Crimes Task Force will also join the workshop to provide additional expertise on safeguarding agricultural operations from various threats. This collaborative effort highlights the importance of protecting all sectors of agriculture, from small farms to large processing facilities.
The urgency of addressing these threats is emphasized by Dayna Ghirardelli, executive director of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau. Ghirardelli stresses that the workshop is designed for all sectors of agriculture and aims to equip farmers, producers, and stakeholders with practical knowledge and tools to protect their operations from both cyber and physical threats. Recent incidents, such as ransomware attacks on California wineries and phishing attacks targeting agricultural businesses, underscore the need for heightened cybersecurity measures.
For more information on the workshop and to register, visit the Sonoma County Farm Bureau’s website at sonomafb.org.
