There were 84 ransomware attacks against the food and agriculture sector during the first three months of 2025, more than twice the number of intrusions during the same period last year.
The Record reports, more than three-quarters of the intrusions were recorded in January and February, with ransomware already accounting for 53% of all cyberattacks against the industry during the quarter, according to a report from the Food and Ag-ISAC. Attacks against food and agriculture organizations have ramped up since the fourth quarter of last year due to the Clop hack of Cleo file sharing software, as well as persistent targeting of the Akira and RansomHub ransomware gangs, said the report.
It also noted the elevated prevalence of outdated industrial control systems which significantly increases the vulnerability in the sector. Food and Ag-ISAC Director of Cyber Information Sharing Jonathan Bradley added that the issue is compounded by inadequate threat visibility.
