Make sure to change the default password, back up data, update software and use multifactor authentication to secure your farm.

Iowa farmers are encourag­ed to bolster cybersecurity defenses to shield their farms from potential cyberattacks by changing passwords, setting up multifactor authentication, updating software and backing up important data.

Experts say the winter months are an opportune time to review and enhance security measures by implementing improved cyber management plans.

“The bottom line is there are a very few simple things that you can do that will make you not be the low-hanging fruit,” said James Hoflen, an advisor with the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “They’re simple, they’re easy, they’re common sense and they’re not that tough.”

Hoflen was joined by Doug Jacobsen, Iowa State University professor and director of the Center for Cybersecurity Innovation and Outreach, at a Cybersecurity on the Farm Conference in Ames Jan. 11. More than 30...