Cybersecurity Awareness Month, observed every October, is a collaborative effort to raise awareness about the importance of digital safety and security. Cybercrimes against food companies have risen significantly in recent years as criminals develop more advanced methods of infiltrating information systems and manufacturing software. In an increasingly online world, it is critical that business, and the dairy industry at large take proactive steps in protecting digital assets and manufacturing equipment from cyber threats such as phishing, malware, and data breaches. IDFA continues to put a focus on cybersecurity programming to deal with current cyber threats and to proactively equip the dairy industry with the knowledge and tools to be prepared for the future.

Dairy Technology and Innovation Network

IDFA formed the Dairy Technology and Innovation Network (DTIN) in 2021 to convene technology and information leads from dairy businesses to share best practices, elevate the industry’s technological development, and spur innovation. The network meets regularly to discuss topical issues and opportunities, share resources, and hear from leaders in technology and innovation. The DTIN is open to IDFA members. Interested in joining the DTIN? Sign up today!

Food and Agriculture – Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Food and Ag-ISAC)

In May 2023, the Food and Ag ISAC was launched after serving as a Special Interest Group within the IT-ISAC for the previous 10 years. This new ISAC serves companies in the food and agriculture sector—one of the federal government’s 16 critical infrastructure sectors—by providing vendor-neutral threat analysis, facilitating peer-to-peer intelligence sharing, and driving informed risk management.

Through the IDFA and Food and Ag-ISAC partnership, IDFA members and the DTIN community receive briefings and intelligence sharing on cyber threats and best practices, and new resources are made available to IDFA members to harden their cyber defenses. In May 2023, IDFA and Food and Ag-ISAC released Food and Ag Cybersecurity: A Guide for Small & Medium Enterprises to provide small- and medium-sized dairy businesses with best security practices for reducing cyber risks. IDFA members can access this guide here on the IDFA Knowledge Center.

This partnership is a powerful tool to keep IDFA members up-to-date on the latest developments in cybersecurity and provides a host of resources that support better security for the industry. IDFA ensures that DTIN members receive weekly updates about the latest information from the Food and Ag-ISAC. Make sure your company has a representative on the DTIN to take full advantage of these resources, and visit the Food and Ag-ISAC website to learn more.

Events and Resources

IDFA offers virtual programming opportunities that provide insightful information on ever-evolving technology, innovation, and cybersecurity. Recent webinar topics include AI implementation in dairy processing, implications of advancements in machine learning, and cyber threat analysis. All virtual programming and resources are available for IDFA members in the Knowledge Center.

IDFA has also partnered with Ever.Ag to host DairyTech conferences with cybersecurity focuses. In addition to topical sessions, the DairyTech conference is also an excellent opportunity to connect with other technology professionals from across the dairy industry. It is a forum for information sharing, learning, and innovation. In 2024, the event will be held in Denver, Colorado from October 23-24. Learn more about this year’s DairyTech conference and register here!

There will also be a session focused on Cybersecurity at this year’s Dairy Forum. Join us in San Antinio, Texas this January to be part of the deep dive session: Got Security? Protecting Dairy Processing in the Digital Age. Learn more about Dairy Forum and register here!

Contact Rob Carpenter for more information about getting involved with the Dairy Technology and Innovation Network, or any of IDFA’s ongoing programming that can help ensure all dairy companies are better prepared to protect their digital assets and defend against cyber-attacks. Cybersecurity is critical to the overall security of the industry – this Cybersecurity Awareness Month, take time to learn more about the importance of digital safety, and how you and your company can increase security online.  

Staff Contact

Rob Carpenter

Senior Director, Information Technology