US legislators passed a new bill focused on addressing cybersecurity concerns in the agriculture department. The new bill dubbed the Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act (PDF) saw widespread bipartisan support among the US political parties. Reps. Brad Finstad (R) and Elissa Slotkin (D) presented similar legislation on Friday.
“The Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act is a crucial step toward preparing our nation’s agriculture sector to respond to potential cyberattacks,” said Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. “I am committed to ensuring our American agriculture sector is ready to defend against these cyber threats and look forward to working with my colleagues to get this important bill passed.”
The new legislation targets a few areas. To start, it will make sure the Agriculture Department submits security reports to various personnel in the House, as well as requiring an assessment every two years.
In addition, the Agriculture department will need to run cross-sector crisis simulation events once a year for five years. The simulations will cover disruptions in supply chains as well a emergency situations.
“Food and farm security is national security. With growing threats at home and abroad, it is increasingly important that we ensure our nation’s agriculture sector and food supply chain remain secure. I am proud to join Rep. Slotkin and Senator Cotton in introducing the Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act,” said Congressman Finstad. “(It) will provide us with a greater understanding of the susceptibility of our country’s food supply to cyber-attacks, and more importantly, help us prevent these attacks from occurring in the future.”
On top of Bipartisan support, the bill has been endorsed by a range of companies, including:
- American Farm Bureau Federation.
- North American Millers Association.
- National Grain and Feed Association.
- National Council of Farmer Cooperatives.
- National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
- National Pork Producers Council.
- USA Rice.
- Agricultural Retailers Association.
- American Sugar Alliance.
- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce.