Grainswest - Winter 2022

According to the group’s 2020 National Cyber Threat Assessment, cyber crime remains the top threat most likely to affect Canadians and their businesses, specifically those in the small- and medium-sized categories. And while we’re not talking about showering or brushing your teeth daily, good online hygiene is essential to staying healthy when connected. The Cyber Centre offers these six pragmatic tips to safeguard yourself or your business. Train your employees: Email phishing is the most common method that attackers use to spread ransomware. Regardless of what security features are installed on a device, if a malicious link is opened, that device could be compromised. Employees must know how to recognize phishing attempts and how to report them. Disable macros: Countless ransomware attacks are sent as Microsoft Office attachments. When an attachment is opened, they are prompted to enable macros to see the document’s content. Once they enable macros, the actual ransomware payload will download and execute. Keep macros disabled by default. Patch operating systems (OS) and third-party apps: Unpatched and unsupported operating systems present easy vulnerabilities for would-be attackers. Be sure to keep your OS and all third-party apps patched with the newest updates. Restrict access: Users should only have the minimum amount of access required to fulfil their job duties. Restrict administrative privileges as much as possible. Backups: Perform frequent backups and make sure information is not connected to the internet or local networks. If ransomware is planted on just one device, it can rapidly spread across your entire network without detection. Practice recovering: Organizations are encouraged to run a simulated ransomware attack and practice its recovery procedure. How long would it take to get back up to regular, pre-attack levels? Often, the answer is much longer than initially thought. Such an exercise can show you where your farm or business is most vulnerable. For more resources or to download a free cybersecurity audit kit, visit cyber.gc.ca . Ph: 403-443-2577 Email: tanya@penwestseeds.ca Three Hills, AB www.penwestseeds.ca Barley AAC Connect, CDC Copeland AAC Synergy, AC Metcalfe CDC Austenson, AB Wrangler Canmore, Esma AB Advantage-6 row smooth awned Peas AAC Ardill, AAC Carver CDC Forest (green) HRSWheat AAC Brandon, Jake, Sheba AAC Redberry AAC Starbuck VB AAC Wheatland VB On Site Services • 90’ Scale on Site • Storm Seed Treater • Mini Bulk Bagging & Shipping Home Grown High Quality Canadian Seed CPSWheat Accelerate, Forefront Soft White Sadash VB Durum AAC Stronghold Winter Wheat AAC Wildfire Oats CS Camden CDC Endure Also Available • Bio Boost • Diatomaceous Earth Inoculant • Osmium • Nodulator Duo • Tag Team Red Lentils CDC Proclaim Flax CDC Rowland Faba Beans 219-16 Canola BrettYoung, Canterra Forages BrettYoung