WASHINGTON — Legislations looking to strengthen cybersecurity protections within the food and agriculture sectors were introduced in both the House of Representatives and the Senate on Jan. 25.

The bipartisan bill, known as the Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act, was introduced by Senators Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY).

The bill would identify vulnerabilities and improve protective measures of both the government and private groups against cyber threats.

Specifically, it would direct the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct a study of cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities in the food and agriculture sectors every two years and submit a report to Congress.

Additionally, the USDA would work with the Department of Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, and National Intelligence to conduct a cross-sector simulation exercise for food-related cyber disruptions.

“Protecting our nation’s farms and food security against cyberattacks is a vital component of our national security,” Gillibrand said.

Cotton added, “America’s adversaries are seeking to gain any advantage they can against us — including targeting critical industries like agriculture. Congress must work with the Department of Agriculture to identify and defeat these cybersecurity vulnerabilities. This legislation will ensure we are prepared to protect the supply chains our farmers and all Americans rely on.”

The Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act’s sister bill, the Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act, would likewise require the USDA to lead a cybersecurity threat study every two years and a simulation exercise.

US Representatives Brad Finstad (R-Minn.) and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) introduced the bill.

“No longer just some tech issue, cyber attacks have the potential to upend folks’ daily lives and threaten our food supply — like we saw a couple years ago when the meat-packing company JBS was taken offline by a ransomware attack,” Slotkin said.

Supporting the bills are the 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 and the US Chamber of Commerce.