ZAG Technical Services highlights the increased threat of phishing attacks targeting agriculture, urging businesses to enhance their cybersecurity measures.

ZAG Technical Services has issued a warning to agriculture businesses about an increase in sophisticated phishing schemes designed to compromise email accounts and access sensitive information. These threats are becoming more common, and it is essential for companies to remain vigilant and adopt best practices to safeguard themselves.

Phishing attacks involve the use of compromised email accounts to send fraudulent messages that appear to come from trusted sources. This makes them difficult to detect. To enhance their credibility, attackers are now using services like Dropbox with these compromised accounts.

This not only makes the emails seem more legitimate but also adds an extra layer of credibility, complicating the detection of malicious intent. Recently, sales teams have been targeted with fraudulent purchase orders from supposed customers, making these phishing attempts appear even more legitimate.

Identifying potential phishing emails involves scrutinizing the sender’s behavior. Red flags include unusual requests such as urgent purchase orders or links requiring immediate action. For instance, if a CEO sends an unexpected Dropbox link and follows up insistently, it is wise to question the legitimacy of the request.

If you suspect a phishing email, take the following steps:

1. Verify the Sender: Call a verified phone number of the person who supposedly sent the email to confirm its authenticity. Avoid replying to the email, clicking on any links, or calling any numbers provided in the email.
2. Contact Leadership: Notify your CEO, CFO, or Controller to check for any attempted ACH fraud.
3. Involve IT: Engage your IT team to trace the origin of the email and assess the threat.
4. Avoid Forwarding Suspicious Emails: Do not forward the email to others to test links or attachments.
5. Seek Expert Opinion: If in doubt, ZAG Technical Services is available to provide a second opinion and assist with any security concerns.

Phishing attacks on agriculture businesses are strategic attempts to exploit vulnerabilities for financial gain. The agriculture sector is particularly vulnerable due to the numerous connections between businesses and vendors. Attackers seek access to networks to obtain sensitive information, initiate fraudulent ACH transactions, and extort ransomware payments through cryptolocking.

“Imagine the domino effect if a cyber attacker gained access to a school system, not only accessing student information but also learning about parents’ workplaces and potentially compromising those systems as well,” said Allen Santana, Cybersecurity Operations Manager at ZAG Technical Services. “Similarly, the interconnected nature of agribusiness makes it a prime target for scammers.”

Key lessons for the agriculture industry include the following:

1. No Company is Too Small: Every business, regardless of size, can be a target.
2. High Stakes: Attackers aim to infiltrate networks to steal valuable information.
3. Increased Vigilance: Regularly educate and remind employees about the signs of phishing.
4. Layered Controls: Implement layers of control, particularly in financial processes like ACH transactions. Avoid single points of failure by requiring multiple approvals for financial transactions to prevent legitimate invoices from being paid out to attackers.

As stated in the report, the best defense against these sophisticated phishing schemes is to maintain a high level of awareness and adopt comprehensive security measures. This includes regular training for employees, implementing robust financial controls, and seeking expert advice when in doubt. The rise in these threats underscores the need for ongoing vigilance and proactive measures to protect sensitive information and financial transactions in the agriculture industry.

By staying informed and adopting best practices, agriculture businesses can better defend against phishing attacks and safeguard their operations from potential financial and reputational damage.