The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is "stepping up" its protection levels around its IT systems, according to Minister Martin Heydon.

Speaking to Agriland, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, said that most farmers now interact with the department through online systems.

While he said these systems have delivered efficiencies, the minister acknowledged that they also create potential risks and vulnerabilities.

Minister Heydon said: "Cyber security in general is a very significant concern for everybody, whether it's industry, whether it's government, whether it's government state departments".

The minister said specifically in relation to DAFM the department is "acutely aware of the potential risks down the line of dependency on that".

Minister Heydon said that DAFM is focused on making sure that the appropriate safeguards are in place to protect the department from online attacks including malware attacks or cyber attacks.

He said that the government as a whole is "acutely aware" that there has been a lot activity across Europe which "is very concerning and means none of us can be complacent about the threats of cyber attacks".

IT systems

Earlier this month Ireland's National Cyber Security Centre warned that recent cyber security incidents "highlighted significant security risks affecting remotely accessible refrigeration monitoring and control systems".

In an advisory statement it noted: "Attackers have reportedly gained unauthorised access to refrigeration controllers thatare directly accessible over the public internet.

"Such access may allow unauthorised individuals to view or modify system configurations, potentially disrupting normalrefrigeration operations.

"Organisations operating these systems are strongly advised to review their network security posture and implement appropriate measures to prevent unauthorised access".

Separately, the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen starkly warned yesterday (Thursday, November 12) that "food is being weaponised".

Commissioner Hansen said: "First: the threats to our food system are real, and they are already here.

"Second: Europe has the answer to these threats and the powers to withstand them. And it starts with a strong Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)".

The commissioner pointed to the two waves of cyber attacks that have impacted refigeration systems across Europe last month and last week.

Speaking at a high-level food security conference in Brussels yesterday he described it as "a deliberate act challenging our strategic resilience".

"While we cannot yet pinpoint all these attacks, and in some cases, we never may, beyond the shadow of a doubt, the message was crystal-clear: not a single aspect of everyday life is safe from interference, disruption and weaponisation any longer.

"And so, our answer must be equally clear:

"We will not let anyone take European food security hostage. Yet the agri-food chain is a powerful hybrid target, because attacking it undermines people's trust and causes fear and strikes at an essential human need, directly impacting people in their everyday life," Commissioner Hansen added.

He said the recent cyber attacks underline why Europe needs a strong CAP.

"Likewise, a country that neglects its ability to feed itself compromises its freedom.

"The CAP is a lever for our strategic autonomy. It is an investment in our strategic arsenal," the commissioner added.