Researchers like Dr. Rozita Dara at the University of Guelph – are trying to reduce the cybersecurity risks Canada’s wide-open farm fields are facing.
She stresses securing smart farm technology is crucial for the agriculture industry to meet the food needs of a rapidly growing world population.
Dara says without adequate data security and privacy some farmers may be more reluctant to adopt smart farming tools.
Dr. Rozita Dara heads a research project at the University of Guelph that looks into how farm data is collected and used.
The research projects addresses best practices to ensure farming data is protected for the benefit of growers and consumers.
Published work by Dara and her team recommend some solutions. They include standardizing devices; evaluating trust among farmers, tech providers and other players; addressing legal accountability and using the secure platforms such as blockchain for managing farm transactions.