Farmers are increasingly the target of cyberattacks, yet most are unaware of their exposure, according to rural specialist WFI Insurance.

The IAG brand says its research has found only one-quarter of farmers view cyber insurance as a future need, compared with 70% among the broader business population.

Increased digitisation on farms has shifted the risk landscape, WFI warns. About 80% of farms use tech-driven tools such as robotic milking systems, making them attractive targets.

“No industry is immune to cyber risk,” WFI EGM Damien Gallagher said. “And for farmers, it’s an unseen risk compared to the more obvious on-farm risks they see in their daily execution of tasks.

“Our research shows the consideration of cyber insurance is significantly lower among agribusinesses compared to other industries.”

WFI says Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows one in five agricultural businesses have experienced a cyber incident.

“It is clear that this is no longer just a city problem,” Mr Gallagher told a recent WFI podcast on rural crime.

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“From data breaches to ransomware, the risks are evolving, and there is so much more that is needed in terms of our response.”

Kyle Mulrooney, co-director of the Centre for Rural Criminology at the University of New England, says farmers are as vulnerable to cyberattacks as anyone.

“Increasingly, as we’re seeing automation, we’re seeing greater capacity for the collection of data on farms … I’m sure [that] helps the farm run much better,” Dr Mulrooney said on the podcast.

“But it also means greater risk. More access to data that people might want for various reasons … and so farmers … are very open to those risks that sort of any other automated industry would [face].”

WFI says having a cyber incident response plan in place is one measure farmers should consider.

Other actions include limiting or monitoring remote access to farm systems and equipment; backing up important farm and financial data regularly; and considering cyber insurance.

“Cyber insurance products are becoming more sophisticated, with some combining the risk transfer with active preventative tools that continuously scan technologies to reduce the likelihood of an attack,” WFI said.

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