The Information Technology – Information Sharing and Analysis Center (IT-ISAC) this week announced the formation of the Food and Agriculture – Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Food and Ag-ISAC).
An ISAC is a nonprofit, member-funded and led cybersecurity information sharing organization designed to provide threat intelligence, analysis, and security practices to detect cyber attacks, respond to incidents, and share indicators so members can better protect themselves and manage cybersecurity risks. The food and agriculture industries were one of the last few remaining U.S. Government-designated critical infrastructure industries without a dedicated ISAC.
The IT-ISAC, which was formed in 2000, had operated a ‘Special Interest Group’ specifically tailored to food and agriculture companies. With the new announcement, the Special Interest Group is converted into a fully functioning ISAC, providing a forum for food and agriculture companies to engage with cybersecurity experts and analysts from peers in the food and agriculture industries to share cyber threat information and mitigation tactics.
“Cybersecurity has been a key area of focus for NCC and our members for several years, and we welcome the formation of the Food and Ag-ISAC and are proud to be an industry association partner,” NCC President Mike Brown said. “We look forward to the collaboration with the new ISAC and our members to help mitigate cyber security risks for one of our nation’s most critical infrastructures.”
“The IT-ISAC has been helping food and agriculture companies defend themselves and the global food supply chain for over 10 years, and we are excited that this essential work will continue through the Food and Ag-ISAC,” Scott Algeier, Executive Director of the IT-ISAC and the Food and Ag- ISAC, said. “With two dozen leading companies from across the food and ag industry already members, the Food and Ag-ISAC is built by industry for industry. We are grateful for the partnerships we have developed within the industry and look forward to working with them to grow the Food and Ag-ISAC to ensure it meets the needs of its members and the industry.”
Members of the IT-ISAC can now join the Food and Ag-ISAC at no additional cost while maintaining full membership in and benefits of the IT-ISAC, including collaborating with leading cybersecurity and technology companies.
Founding members of the Food and Ag-ISAC include Tyson Foods, Cargill, Bunge, Inc., Conagra Brands, Corteva Agriscience, Hershey, Compeer Financial, Post, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Growmark, and PepsiCo.
The National Chicken Council is an industry partner of the Food and Ag-ISAC.
More information on the Food and Ag-ISAC can be found here. Membership inquiries can be sent to [email protected].
More information on the IT-ISAC can be found here as well as the IT-ISAC’s Twitter and LinkedIn.
