Dr Rebecca Robinson is a programme manager for Cyber Works at Lancaster University and has helped North West businesses with knowledge exchange and technical support through specialist cyber security programmes.

IN a progressively digital world, the working lives of individuals are undergoing significant change. With rapid advances in new technologies such as AI, and equipment with embedded sensors generating huge amounts of data, all industries are being affected, not least farming.

Today agriculture relies on technologies such as automated machinery, livestock scanners and trackers, precision farming and smart devices.

These help farmers to monitor, measure and control various aspects of their operations remotely, and more efficiently - maximising their time and resources.

This leads to cost savings and data-driven decisions. It not only boosts productivity and reduces environmental impact but also ensures that farmers can use real-time data to positively contribute to the overall sustainability and resilience of the business.

 While the integration of digital tools in farming promises to bring about numerous benefits, it also exposes farmers, and their communities, to new challenges, particularly when it comes to digital security.

As farms become more inter-connected with the use of sensors, smart devices and cloud-based systems, they need to understand the risks and impact the breaches could have on their businesses, and their clients.

If the technologies are not properly secured they are vulnerable to a cyber-attack.

Unauthorised access to the devices can result in the manipulation of farming processes, leading to suboptimal yields or even equipment damage. Any malfunction that targets these technologies could result in disruptions to milking schedules, feeding routines and overall farm management.

This not only poses a threat to animal welfare but in a worst-case scenario, a cyber-attack could disrupt an entire operation, causing financial losses that may take years to recover.

It is imperative for farming and rural communities to prioritise digital security education and implement robust cybersecurity measures.