A Perspective on Security of Smart Farming: Attacks and Countermeasures

Abstract

The integration of technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is fueling a shift toward smart farming, unlocking a fundamental change in how agriculture is practiced through new precision agriculture techniques. While these innovations enhance efficiency and streamline routine agricultural operations, they also introduce a range of new threats and vulnerabilities within smart farming ecosystems. This research differentiates itself within the field of smart farming security. It achieves this through an integrated examination of systemic vulnerabilities across the entire agricultural technology stack. Organized into four core sections, i.e., sensing, network, cloud, and application layers, it systematically identifies the specific security risks associated with each layer, including data leakage, signal injection, cyberattacks, and manipulation of artificial intelligence systems. The paper further discusses appropriate countermeasures designed to mitigate these risks and underscores the importance of adopting integrated defense strategies. By analyzing current cybersecurity trends and the application of artificial intelligence in protective mechanisms, the study provides valuable insights into future research pathways aimed at establishing secure and sustainable agricultural technologies.