Smart Farming: Cyber Security Challenges

Abstract

The diffusion of new digital technologies renders digital transformation relevant to nearly every economic activity sector, including in the agriculture sector. Farming and how farmers work is changing, the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) together with the increased use of the Internet of Things (IoT) is developing a concept that is called Smart Farming. Smart Farming benefits are tremendous, smart data can be used for seed traits and to treat soil conditions, the use of new technologies can offer unprecedented conveniences and improve the management and quality of agriculture farming. The use of new information systems and services will be more and more used to sustain and improve operations, competitiveness, and profitability in the agriculture sector. However, the massive use of technology comes with inherent security risks and vulnerabilities, and the sector finds itself targeted as never before. In this paper, using an empirical methodology, are highlighted some reflections regarding the security challenges that Smart Farming systems face.