Canada’s agri-food sector at risk without stronger cybersecurity measures, expert warns

Canada’s Agricultural Foods sector could be at risk of falling victim to future cyberattacks if more measures aren’t taken.

Canada’s Agricultural Foods sector could be at risk of falling victim to future cyberattacks if more measures aren’t taken.

Speaking with CTV’s Your Morning on last Thursday, Beauceron Security CEO David Shipley expressed his concern, stating that a lack of security measures puts a ‘big target’ on the sector.

“This is not a sector where there are wide margins, and the push to become even more efficient effects everything from the farm to the production and distribution to the grocery store, and this creates opportunities,” Shipley said.

In 2022, a security breach left Sobeys customers unable to fulfill pharmacy prescriptions, use self-checkout machines, purchase items with gift cards or redeem loyalty points for about a week. Additionally, the cyber security incident may have compromised employee’s personal information.

When cyberattacks happen within the agricultural industry, Shipley said that it’s consumers who often pay the price.

“These companies don’t absorb these costs, these costs are actually part of the inflation story we’re dealing with,” he said. “It’s a big complex issue that’s going to require us to deal with this both federally and provincially, and right now we’re not moving nearly fast enough.”

Shipley said agriculture was not included in Bill C-26 – An Act Respecting Cyber Security. The bill was introduced in June 2022 to establish a regulatory framework to strengthen cybersecurity for national services and systems, such as in finance, telecommunications, energy and transportation.