Bipartisan Effort Aims to Fortify American Food Supply Against Cyberattacks
In a collaborative effort to safeguard the nation’s food supply, Senators Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas, and Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat from Michigan, have introduced the Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act. This bipartisan legislation seeks to enhance the analysis and detection of cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure within the agriculture and food sectors.
The bill comes amid growing concerns about the vulnerability of the American food supply to cyberattacks, particularly from foreign adversaries. Senator Cotton, in a statement to Fox News Digital, emphasized the need to protect critical industries like agriculture from those seeking to exploit vulnerabilities. He called on Congress to work with the Department of Agriculture to identify and address these cybersecurity risks, ensuring the resilience of supply chains relied upon by farmers and all Americans.
Senator Slotkin echoed these concerns, highlighting the constant threat of cyberattacks to the food supply. She stressed the importance of preparedness among both government and private industries. The Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act, she stated, is a crucial step toward safeguarding Michigan’s agriculture and food sectors and ensuring national food security. The bill mandates close collaboration between the Department of Agriculture and national security agencies to thwart adversaries, like China, from disrupting the nation’s ability to feed itself.
Key Provisions of the Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act
The Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act includes several key provisions designed to strengthen the cybersecurity posture of the American food supply:
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Annual Crisis Simulations: The secretaries of agriculture, homeland security, and health and human services are required to coordinate with each other and with the director of national intelligence to conduct annual crisis simulations. These simulations are designed to prepare for cyber emergencies affecting food infrastructure, ensuring a coordinated and effective response in the event of an attack.
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Biennial Risk Assessments: The secretary of agriculture is directed to conduct risk assessments every two years to identify vulnerabilities in the food and farm sectors. These assessments will provide a comprehensive understanding of potential weaknesses in the system, enabling targeted efforts to mitigate risks and enhance cybersecurity. The findings of these assessments will be reported to Congress, ensuring transparency and accountability.
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Enhanced Coordination: The bill promotes enhanced coordination among various government agencies, including the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the intelligence community. This collaborative approach aims to leverage the expertise and resources of each agency to effectively address the complex challenges of cybersecurity in the food and farm sectors.
Support and Cosponsors
The Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act has garnered significant support from both sides of the aisle. Senators Pete Ricketts, a Republican from Nebraska, Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, Cynthia Lummis, a Republican from Wyoming, Katie Britt, a Republican from Alabama, and Ted Budd, a Republican from North Carolina, are cosponsors of the bill, demonstrating its bipartisan appeal.
A companion bill is being introduced in the House of Representatives by Representative Brad Finstad, a Republican from Minnesota, further solidifying the bipartisan nature of this legislative effort.
Industry Backing
The Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act has received strong backing from several food industry groups, including the North American Millers Association, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, USA Rice, and the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives. These organizations recognize the importance of protecting the food supply from cyberattacks and support the bill’s efforts to enhance cybersecurity in the agriculture and food sectors.
The support of these industry groups underscores the broad consensus on the need to address cybersecurity risks in the food supply and the importance of collaboration between government and industry to achieve this goal.
The Growing Threat of Cyberattacks on the Food Supply
The introduction of the Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act comes at a time when the threat of cyberattacks on the food supply is growing. In recent years, there have been several high-profile cyberattacks targeting food and agriculture companies, demonstrating the vulnerability of the sector.
These attacks can have a wide range of consequences, including:
- Disruptions to Food Production: Cyberattacks can disrupt food production by targeting critical infrastructure such as processing plants, storage facilities, and transportation networks. This can lead to shortages of food products and price increases.
- Food Safety Risks: Cyberattacks can compromise food safety by targeting systems that monitor and control food processing and handling. This can lead to contamination of food products and outbreaks of foodborne illness.
- Economic Losses: Cyberattacks can cause significant economic losses to food and agriculture companies, as well as to the broader economy. These losses can include the cost of recovering from the attack, lost revenue, and damage to reputation.
Addressing the Challenge
The Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act represents a significant step forward in addressing the growing threat of cyberattacks on the American food supply. By requiring annual crisis simulations, biennial risk assessments, and enhanced coordination among government agencies, the bill aims to strengthen the cybersecurity posture of the agriculture and food sectors.
The bill’s bipartisan support and industry backing demonstrate the broad consensus on the need to protect the food supply from cyberattacks. By working together, government, industry, and other stakeholders can ensure the resilience of the American food system and protect the nation’s food security. The act will enhance the abilities for local business and local farming to stay protected from larger foreign influences. The goal is to ensure a continuous cycle of growing and selling of crops while staying ahead of growing cyber attacks, like ransomware.
