Protecting our farms from cyber attack

Cyber soft spot: from farm to fork

The peaceful countryside hides a new battle between hackers and cyber security professionals. Do you want to join the fight?

Our increasing population needs to be fed without damaging the planet even further. For farmers, this means one thing: leaning on digital tech, a trend known as ‘smart ag’ to help make their farms more efficient. Smart ag uses connected sensors, Big Data, cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) to allow farms to produce more food without stinting on sustainability. From the fields to the barnyard, farmers are analysing data to plan, make systems more efficient and take action against unexpected events. Exposed environments As more tech is adopted, however, hackers see more opportunities to attack. Cyber criminals are increasingly targeting farms and their suppliers and customers. For example, in 2020, Australia and New Zealand’s wool selling system was crippled for eight days by hackers demanding AU$8 million ransom.

START YOUR CAREER HEREcyber+agriculture studyBachelor of Science (Cyber Security), Edith Cowan UniversityBachelor of Agriculture and Technology, Melbourne PolytechnicBachelor of Engineering (Cybersecurity Engineering), Victoria University of Wellington cyber+agriculture jobsInformation security specialist: $60K–$148KAgricultural technician: $55K (Average salary)Penetration tester: $56K–$125K* *Source: salaries according to payscale.com

Criminals like these – hired by competitors, criminal syndicates or hostile foreign governments – represent a serious threat to our food supply and security. But this also means more career opportunities for people who want to stop hackers in their tracks.

Secure the land

A job in agriculture security could include being a cyber security specialist for a large agricultural biz – designing, deploying and managing the business’ information networks. Or maybe a penetration (pen) tester, where you’d be responsible for things like hacking the system yourself to see where vulnerabilities lie. Similar roles are available in the companies and organisations developing and producing ag tech. Fun job descriptions would be things like making meat processing robots unhackable. Not all of the roles are technical though. “You don’t need to be a software developer to be a cyber security expert,” says Damien Manuel, director of Cyber Security, Research and Innovation Centre at Deakin University.

Teaching tech

“If you have a passion for people you could go into the education side to improve cyber security awareness and make people safer online,” Damien says.

It’s a tad more complex than just thinking cows and computers, but like anything tech-related, the ag industry needs protecting and the opportunities are paddock-sized! – Ben Skuse

Eyes on livestock

Data scientist Oliver Molteno develops secure tech to manage herds of animals

passing dairy cows to check their health. It detects lameness and other health conditions early so the animals suffer less and have a better chance of recovery. Oliver’s role is coding and debugging various machine learning algorithms, and integrating them into OmniEye. Top secret biz There is also an element of cyber security in Oliver’s role, particularly in ensuring farmers’ commercially sensitive data isn’t stolen. Exactly how this works is something he has to keep quiet about. “I can’t go into specifics on how we do cyber security,” he says. “But it has always been a big focus at Iris.” – Ben Skuse When I first started, I felt extremely out of my depth” When Oliver completed his Bachelor’s degree majoring in electronics at the University of Otago, New Zealand, he had no idea what he was going to do. “I was very stressed about trying to find a job which was relevant to my degree,” he says. Luckily, a local polytechnic was running a summer internship program where students could connect with companies in five-minute speed interviews. “I applied to as many of these as I could,” says Oliver. “After follow-up interviews, I landed an internship at Iris Data Science, an NZ-based artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning business, working on a project using computer vision to count fruit.” An eye for the future Oliver clearly impressed, as he was soon working full-time as a data scientist at Iris, but it took a while for him to adapt to life outside uni. “When I first started, I felt extremely out of my depth – I definitely had impostor syndrome for the first couple of months,” he says. Oliver now works on their flagship product OmniEye. OmniEye automatically analyses camera images of Oliver Molteno data scientist

Bachelor of Science (Electronics), University of Otago

Internship, Iris Data Science Data scientist, Iris Data Science

Lessons in intelligence

With qualifications in psychology and commerce,Jennifer Medbury’s career in intelligence and security has included roles with defence and the police force; now she teaches the next generation at ECU

Jennifer’s first foray into STEM came out of her lifelong interest in how people tick. She studied a Bachelor of Science majoring in psychology, which she followed up with a degree in commerce and a Masters in Strategic Affairs. In the workforce, Jennifer has had jobs in intelligence and security for over a decade, including time spent with both the Defence Intelligence Organisation and the Western Australia Police Force.Jennifer now shares her knowledge with newcomers to the field as a lecturer in intelligence and security, as well as a researcher and first-year coordinator at Edith Cowan

University (ECU). “I teach university students about terrorism, international security, information security, intelligence analysis and critical thinking,” she explains. Jennifer is also a PhD candidate, focusing on the emergency services sector and intelligence analysis.During her career, Jennifer has found her biggest hurdle was overcoming feelings of self-doubt and imposter syndrome. She’s learned, however, that increasing

There are a wide range of opportunities available in other government agencies, the private sector and in the not-for-profit sector” jennifer Medbury Cyber Security

Lecturer

diversity in the intelligence community is super important. “We can see problems from more perspectives and therefore more potential for innovative ideas,” she says.

If you’re interested in a career in intelligence, the opportunities are boundless, she says. “Although most people see intelligence analysts as primarily working in national security agencies, there are a wide range of opportunities available in other government agencies, the private sector and in the not-for-profit sector."

“Intelligence analysts collect information and make assessments to help people make decisions. Those skills are almost limitless,” Jennifer says. – Jonathan Nalder

Bachelor of Science (Psychology), Curtin University of Technology

Intelligence Analyst, Defence

Intelligence Organisation Bachelor of Commerce (HR Management and Industrial Relations), Curtin University of Technology Master of Strategic Affairs, Australian National University

Senior Intelligence Analyst, WA Police Force

Lecturer, Intelligence and Security, Edith Cowan University

WHAT SHOULD I STUDY?

THERE ARE PLENTY OF OPTIONS TO SKILL UP IN CYBER SECURITY AND EQUIP YOURSELF FOR A CAREER IN THIS EXCITING SPACE

Option #1: Study engineering, IT or science and specialise: >> Bachelor of Cyber Security, Deakin University >> Bachelor of Science (Cyber Security), Edith Cowan University >> Bachelor of Cyber Security, Macquarie University >> Bachelor of Software Engineering (Cyber Security), Monash University >> Bachelor of Computer Science (Cyber Security), University of Queensland

Option #3:

Study certificate or shorter courses through TAFE or uni:

>> Certificate IV in Cyber Security, TAFE NSW >> Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security and Networks, QUT >> Graduate Diploma in Cyber Security, University of Queensland >> Graduate Certificate of Cyber Security Management, Swinburne University

What can I earn?

Cyber Security Analyst Cyber Security Engineer Information Security Manager Penetration Tester *Source: salaries according to payscale.com AU$52K-$114K AU$66K-$143K AU$79K-$167K AU$56K-$125K*

Option #2:

Do any undergrad, then do a postgraduate degree in cyber security: >> Master of Cyber Security, Edith Cowan University>> Master of Cyber Security, University of Adelaide>> Master of Cyber Security, University of NSW>> Master of Cyber Security, University of Queensland

Option #4: Do a cyber security boot-camp course:

Cyber Security Boot Camp (24 weeks), The Hacking School Australia >>

Cyber Security Boot Camp (24 weeks), Monash University >>

Cyber Security for Non-Cyber Professionals (approx 20 hours, online), QUT >>

Cyber Security Risk and Strategy (6 weeks), RMIT >>

Cyber Security Boot Camp (24 weeks), University of Western Australia

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