The agency issued a private industry notification saying ransomware attackers may see co-ops as an easy target for their willingness to pay ransom because of the role they play in ag production. The agency’s notice says a co-op suffered a ransomware attack in March and another reported two instances in February where attacks were stopped. The FBI says there were at least seven grain co-ops that suffered ransomware attacks in the fall.

The FBI recommends several options like backing up data, two-step authentication verification, audit user accounts, use secure networks, disabling hyperlinks and focus on cyber security awareness and training. s