Securing the Future of Farming: Cybersecurity Research Project Strengthens Agri-Food Sector
As cyberattacks on agriculture grow more frequent and sophisticated, a groundbreaking initiative funded by the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance is helping protect the sector—starting with Ontario’s agri-food research centres and expanding to support producers across the province.
“Cyber criminals don’t discriminate. Whether you’re a farmer in southern Ontario or a large business, if you’re vulnerable, you’re a target,” says Dr. Ali Dehghantanha, professor and Canada Research Chair in Cybersecurity and Threat Intelligence at the University of Guelph. “With cyber threats increasing, we’re working to help farmers reduce their risk.”
Published: July 22, 2025
Lead photo: A focus on technology makes the Ontario Dairy Research Centre a unique environment, but cybersecurity tools are being adapted to support producers directly.
With support from the Alliance’s Special Initiatives program, Dehghantanha and his team at U of G’s Cyber Science Lab are developing tools to secure the agri-food sector’s digital infrastructure. Their work began with Ontario’s agri-food research centres—a province-wide network of research farms owned by the Government of Ontario through its agency Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario and managed by U of G through the Alliance. This project helps ensure these centres remain at the forefront of agricultural innovation, with cybersecurity now a key part of that mission.
Protecting Ontario’s agri-food research infrastructure
The research centres are essential to the province’s food system. These data-rich sites support farm-tested research and innovation that directly benefit producers and consumers alike.
Recognizing the importance of digital resilience, the Alliance partners with U of G experts to strengthen cybersecurity across the network. At the heart of the initiative is an AI-powered monitoring system that scans for unusual activity, enabling early detection of threats. This system is backed by a robust threat-hunting and incident response strategy to ensure rapid containment and recovery.
Education and preparedness were also key to the development of the system. In one initiative, research centre managers and staff and government partners participated in hands-on training that simulated real-world cyberattacks—giving them the tools and confidence to respond effectively.
“The training gave us a better understanding of how to respond to cyber threats in real time,” says Joe Parkinson, manager of the Ontario Dairy and Ontario Beef research centres. “We know there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but this experience gave us a stronger foundation and great confidence in our ability to act quickly and effectively.”
Dr. Ali Dehghantanha, professor and Canada Research Chair in Cybersecurity and Threat Intelligence at the University of Guelph.
Building tools to protect Ontario agriculture
While the research centres face unique challenges due to the volume of data they handle, many cybersecurity risks are shared across Ontario’s increasingly tech-driven agriculture sector. That’s why the project team is adapting its tools and strategies to support producers directly.
“It’s really important for the agriculture sector to have support from projects like this,” said Eric Franke, automation engineering specialist at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “Cyberattacks in agriculture are increasing, but the sector hasn’t had the same level of cybersecurity attention or resources as other industries.”
To help bridge that gap, Dehghantanha’s team launched the Agri-Food Cybersecurity website, offering practical tools and resources tailored to producers. These include:
- Top 10 vulnerabilities for Ontario’s dairy, beef, swine and aquaculture sectors
- A self-assessment form to help producers evaluate their cybersecurity readiness
- Guidance on how to communicate farm-specific needs to IT professionals
- Educational materials to raise awareness and build capacity across the sector
The project has earned strong support from government and industry partners who recognize that protecting agricultural innovation and infrastructure is essential to the sector’s long-term success.
“Having someone who understands both farming and cybersecurity is a big advantage,” says Brett Leslie, digital marketing lead for Ontario Pork, the organization representing nearly 1,900 Ontario pork producers. “The tools developed by Dehghantanha’s team give commodity groups without a formal program a strong starting point. For Ontario Pork, they help us fill gaps and strengthen what we already offer.”
“If I’m working with a grower, producer or producer group, I know I can point them towards the literature and tools produced through this cybersecurity project,” added Franke.
As Ontario’s agri-food sector becomes more connected and data-driven, this initiative is paving the way for a safer, more resilient future—one farm at a time.
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