The widespread use of intelligent technology is increasing agricultural production around the world but international researchers warn that this digital age could reap another harvest – another cybersecurity attack. The intricate modeling of IT and mathematics at King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia, Aix-Marseille University, France and Flinders University in South Australia, highlighted the dangers in a new article in the open access journal Nerves.
“Smart sensors and systems are used to monitor plants, plants, the environment, water, soil moisture and disease,” said lead author Professor Abel Alahmadi of King Abdulaziz University.”The transformation of digital agriculture will improve the quality and quantity of food for the ever-growing population, which is projected to reach 10.9 billion by 2100.”These advances in production, genetic modification of drought-resistant crops, and other technologies are increasingly targeted by the Internet – especially if the ag-tech sector does not take adequate safety measures like other business or defense sectors, researchers warn.
Flinders University researcher Dr Saeed Rehman says the proliferation of internet connectivity and low-power smartphones has helped transform many labor-intensive food production operations into a digital environment – including modern precision irrigation techniques, soil and crop monitoring using drone surveillance. .”However, we should not ignore the security threats and vulnerability of digital agriculture, especially the separate channel attacks targeting ag-tech applications,” said Dr. Rehman, an online security and communications expert.”Digital agriculture is not affected by cyber attacks, as evidenced by the disruption of the US irrigation system, meat packaging company, fur retailer software and Australian beverage company.”
“The release of confidential or sensitive information on the operation of virtual computers is called a separate channel attack,” adds another Flinders author, Professor David Glynn.”These attacks can easily be done with physical access to devices, a cybersecurity community that has not openly investigated.”Researchers recommend investing in measures and awareness of the dangers of digital agriculture in cyberbullying, imagining potentially serious implications for society in general in terms of food supply, labor and blood flow costs.
Source Journal Reference:Adel N. Alahmadi, Saeed Ur Rehman, Husain S. Alhazmi, David G. Glynn, HatoonShoaib, Patrick Sol�. Cyber-Security Threats and Side-Channel Attacks for Digital Agriculture. Sensors, 2022; 22 (9): 3520 DOI: 10.3390/s22093520
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