Farm Cybersecurity | NC State Extension

Practical Cybersecurity for North Carolina Farms

Cyberattacks can lock up records, disrupt connected equipment, redirect payments, and stop essential work. Farm cybersecurity does not have to start with expensive technology. It starts with practical steps that protect your people, equipment, accounts, data, and daily operations. NC State Extension translates cybersecurity into farm-ready guidance you can use.

CyberPest Management treats cyber risk like any other production risk: know what you have, prevent problems where you can, watch for warning signs, and have a plan to respond and recover. These CORE 4 steps protect many of the accounts and systems farms use every day.

Real Farm Impacts

CyberPest Attacks are already affecting real farms and agricultural businesses—disrupting equipment, animal care, business records, payments, and access to critical data. The examples below make these risks tangible and show why practical cybersecurity measures are essential to keeping farms safe, productive, and resilient.

Tools and Checklists

Explore practical tools and checklists designed to support CyberPest management on the farm. We are continuing to add resources that help farmers identify risks, strengthen everyday practices, and protect their operations.

Get Help! Something Has Happened

If an account, computer, phone, payment, or connected farm system may be compromised, act calmly and quickly. Your priorities are to protect people, livestock, crops, and essential operations; limit the spread; document what happened; and get qualified help.

AgDefenders Coalition

The AgDefenders Coalition is a collaborative effort to safeguard agriculture from these threats. Our mission is to build resilience across farms, agribusinesses, and the broader food system—helping producers stay productive and secure in today’s digital environment.