Automatic milking systems do more than milk cows. They can also collect production records, breeding dates, weights and animal-health information. A ransomware attack on a Swiss dairy farm showed how losing access to that data can affect finances, operations and animal care.

In November 2023, dairy farmer Vital Bircher discovered that the computer connected to his automatic milking system was no longer receiving or displaying information. Restarting the equipment did not solve the problem. An information technology specialist later determined that cybercriminals had encrypted the farm’s data and demanded approximately $10,000 to restore it.

The incident is sometimes described as hackers taking control of a milking robot. More precisely, the ransomware compromised the computer and information systems connected to the milking equipment. Parts of the system could continue milking without the affected computer, but Bircher could no longer access current records for his herd of more than 70 cows.

Older records were eventually recovered using a previous version of the system’s software. However, recent information—including breeding and insemination dates—was unavailable.

According to the reporting, the missing information contributed to a tragic delay in recognizing a problem with a pregnant cow. A veterinarian discovered that the calf had died before birth. Despite efforts to save the cow, she ultimately had to be euthanized. Bircher estimated that the incident cost his farm approximately 6,000 Swiss francs, including veterinary care and a replacement computer.

The case demonstrates that data from connected farm equipment is not merely convenient. It may be essential for making timely production, breeding and animal-health decisions. Losing access can create consequences far beyond the computer screen.

Farm operators should:

• Regularly back up herd, breeding and production records.
• Keep at least one backup disconnected from the farm network.
• Test backups to ensure that records can actually be restored.
• Keep farm computers and equipment software updated.
• Separate critical farm systems from guest and household networks.
• Maintain vendor and technical-support contact information offline.
• Develop a written plan for operating during a technology outage or cyberattack.

After the attack, Bircher began updating an external hard drive weekly and disconnecting it from the computer afterward. That simple change reflects the central lesson from this incident: if every copy of an important record is connected to the same system, ransomware may be able to lock every copy.

For practical guidance, visit the CyberPest Management Resource: Keep Software Updated

Citation

Paganini, P. (2024, August 10). Crooks took control of a cow milking robot causing the death of a cow. Security Affairs.