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Crisis Incident Management Exercises: Maintaining Iowa’s Smart Farming Systems

Ryan Drollette, Madeline Schultz, Lisa Scarbrough , Ann Johanns, Timothy Christensen, Patrick Hatting, Paul Martin, Eric Weuve, and Joseph Lensing

Summary

Iowa farmers are using more smart farming technologies that rely on the Internet of Things. This connectivity exposes them to potential cybercrimes that can affect livestock, crop, and financial systems. In addition, Homeland Security and Emergency Management reported six Presidential Disaster Declarations in Iowa over the last five years due to severe weather. To support farmers in reducing economic losses from nonoperational cyber technology, the team drew on the expertise of valued partners to develop Crisis Incident Management Exercises (CIMEs). Small groups are given an emergency scenario to work through. The exercises introduce farmers to ‘strategic doing’ concepts: 1) understand the problem, 2) clarify priorities, 3) identify assets, 4) brainstorm what can be done now, and 5) create an action plan. The exercises are designed to be an interactive and fun part of regional workshops, conferences, and Annie’s Project courses. Participants in a CIME exercise gained insights such as: “Your preparedness affects your ability to handle adversity.” They also planned to “implement strategies around cyber incident management.” Survey results showed 55.0% of respondents ‘learned a great deal,’ and 36.4% ‘learned a moderate amount.’ Through CIME, Iowa farmers gain insights into vulnerabilities in smart farming technology that can affect livestock, crop, and financial systems. With greater awareness, they can complete risk assessment checklists and access resources to create emergency preparedness plans for their farm. When farmers are supported in planning for cyber emergencies, all Iowans benefit through reduced economic losses and continuity of agricultural production.

Details

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