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Farmers

UK's Cybersecurity Agency Issues Online Safety Guidance for Farming Sector

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As technology becomes increasingly integrated into farming practices, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has published its first online safety guidance for the sector in partnership with the National Farmers' Union (NFU). The guidance, intended to help farmers protect their businesses against cyber threats, includes advice on protecting farms against malware, dealing with scam messages and phone calls, and backing up data. The NCSC noted a rise in reported cyber attacks against the farming community, emphasizing the need for the sector to take proactive measures to secure its technology infrastructure.

Key Takeaways:

  • The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has published online safety guidance for the farming sector, in collaboration with the National Farmers' Union (NFU).
  • The guidance advises farmers to keep their devices up to date, back up data, and be cautious of scam messages and phone calls.
  • The NCSC has seen an increase in reports of cyber attacks against the farming community, prompting the need for the sector to adopt more robust cybersecurity measures.
  • The guidance is part of the NCSC's wider Cyber Aware campaign, which aims to improve cybersecurity and resilience across the UK.
  • Farmers are being urged to take the necessary steps to reinforce their cybersecurity and protect their businesses, with the NFU highlighting the importance of online safety in preventing rural crime.
  • Stuart Roberts, deputy president at the NFU, emphasized the need for farmers to take online safety seriously, and collaborate with experts like the NCSC to develop effective guidance.

Statistics:

  • The NCSC has reported an increase in cyber attacks against the farming community.
  • The guidance is intended to help farmers protect their businesses against malware and other cyber threats.
  • 1 in [number] of farmers has reported experiencing a cyber attack in the past [time period].
  • The NCSC's wider Cyber Aware campaign aims to improve cybersecurity and resilience across every part of the UK.

Sources:

  • "New online safety guidance launched for farming sector," National Cyber Security Centre, [source URL]
  • "NFU and NCSC join forces to launch new online safety guidance for farmers," National Farmers' Union, [source URL]

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