Proposed Cybersecurity Legislation Seeks to Protect America’s Food Supply Chain

U.S. Representatives Brad Finstad (MN-01) and Elissa Slotkin (MI-07) have introduced HR 7062, the Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act, designed to strengthen cybersecurity protections within the food and agriculture critical infrastructure sector by identifying vulnerabilities and improving protective measures against cyber threats on the food supply chain.

The act would direct the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study every two years on cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities within the agriculture and food sectors, and to work with other agencies to conduct an annual cross-sector crisis simulation exercise for food-related cyber emergencies or disruptions.

U.S. Senators Mike Rounds, R-S.D., and Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., also introduced The Cybersecurity for Rural Water Systems Act, which would address vulnerabilities in rural water systems by providing updated cyber defenses and technical assistance.