Digital transformation in the field: new risks and opportunities
Agricultural technology is changing rapidly. Software-defined functions, IoT networking, cloud services and autonomous systems are shaping modern machines: tractors are becoming mobile data centres, harvesters are optimising their routes in real time, and field robots are taking on complex tasks. The move towards software-defined vehicles (SDVs) also opens up great potential for efficiency, precision and sustainability in the agricultural sector.
However, increasing digitalisation and connectivity also bring with them greater risks. Agricultural machinery is becoming a potential target for cyber attacks, which can not only endanger life and limb, but also cause considerable environmental damage and economic losses. Crop failures, the shutdown of entire production chains or the failure of critical functions during field work are just a few examples that can have serious consequences in the agricultural sector.
A systematic approach to risk analysis and the implementation of ‘security by design’ principles are therefore no longer optional, but absolutely necessary for manufacturers.
ISO 24882 means safety for software in agricultural machinery
The new ISO 24882 standard, ‘Agricultural electronics — Cybersecurity for software of mobile machinery used in agriculture and forestry,’ creates a binding framework for the safe development, operation and maintenance of software in agricultural and forestry machinery.
Unlike ISO/SAE 21434 (automotive), ISO 24882 takes into account the specific operating conditions of agricultural technology – from architecture to environment and usage scenarios. It addresses the specific cybersecurity challenges of this sector and is intended to help implement robust and resilient systems.
Differentiation between standards:
- ISO 26262: Functional safety in road vehicles (minimisation of risks due to malfunctions of electronic systems).
- ISO/SAE 21434: Standard for cybersecurity engineering in road vehicles.
- ISO 24882: Cybersecurity of software in agricultural machinery with a focus on agriculture-specific threats and operational continuity.
Typical cyber threats in agricultural technology
- Remote access to networked machines: Unauthorised remote access to tractors or combine harvesters can lead to the manipulation of vehicle settings (e.g. dosage of pesticides, driving speed), the theft of sensitive operating data or the paralysis of the machine.
- GPS spoofing and jamming: Manipulation of position data in precision farming applications can lead to massive crop failures, incorrect sowing or inefficient fertilisation.
- Sabotage of autonomous field robots: Autonomous systems rely on correct sensor technology and control signals. Compromising these can lead to malfunctions, collisions or destruction of cultivated areas.
- Data theft and manipulation: Yield data, soil data, machine configurations – this information is valuable and a sought-after target for attackers.
- Manipulation of software updates: Malware introduced via insecure update processes can enable control over entire fleets.
This makes it clear that ‘classic safety’, i.e. functional safety, which is primarily concerned with protection against malfunctions and failures, is no longer sufficient. Cybersecurity addresses deliberate manipulation by attackers and requires its own specialised approach.
The agricultural sector is part of critical infrastructure – availability and reliability are top priorities. This is precisely where ISO 24882 comes in: it explicitly takes operational continuity into account.
What manufacturers need to bear in mind in the context of ISO 24882
ISO 24882 requires manufacturers to consider cybersecurity as an integral part of the entire product life cycle – from design and development to production, maintenance and decommissioning. Key aspects are:
- Establish a Cybersecurity Management System (CSMS): Similar to the requirements in the automotive industry (according to ISO/SAE 21434), organisations must define and implement processes and responsibilities for managing cybersecurity risks. This includes risk analyses, security concepts, test strategies and incident response plans.
- Performing risk analyses (e.g. TARA): Systematic threat analysis and risk assessment (TARA) is essential for identifying potential threats and vulnerabilities and evaluating their risks. Concrete security measures are derived from this.
- Security requirements throughout the product life cycle: From secure coding practices in software development to secure communication interfaces and secure over-the-air (OTA) update mechanisms (Software Update Management System, SUMS) – especially with OTA, we know from experience that updates can be installed during field use, which can lead to unplanned machine downtime – sometimes with serious operational consequences. Security and availability must be considered simultaneously.
- Documentation and verification requirements: The standard requires comprehensive documentation of the analyses performed, measures taken and verified security features. This serves not only for internal quality assurance, but also as evidence for third parties.
- Competence building and awareness raising: Employees must be trained and made aware of cybersecurity issues so that they can take security aspects into account in their daily work.
Our experience from the automotive world for agricultural technology
At msg, we have many years of in-depth experience working with leading automotive and commercial vehicle manufacturers (OEMs) and suppliers. We have accompanied and helped shape the evolution of vehicle software and the growing requirements for functional safety and cybersecurity from the very beginning.
We apply this expertise precisely to the requirements of ISO 24882 in agricultural technology:
Proven methods such as TARA, HARA (Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment), Secure Coding Guidelines, Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), a model-based development approach for specifying safe systems, and the implementation of robust CSMS and SUMS processes are all part of our service portfolio.
We understand the complexity of modern vehicle architectures, know how to integrate safety systematically and efficiently without slowing down the pace of innovation, and can look back on successful audits that we have prepared with our customers.
ISO 24882 – A standard for the future
For agricultural machinery manufacturers, dealing with ISO 24882 and implementing the corresponding cybersecurity measures is not just a matter of compliance with standards. It also offers tangible benefits:
- Legal certainty and product liability: Compliance with recognised standards reduces liability risks and strengthens your position in the event of security incidents.
- Protection of brand image: Secure products build customer trust and protect against reputational damage caused by successful cyber attacks.
- Competitive advantage: Proven cybersecurity can be an important differentiator in the market.
Genuine security: Ultimately, it is about effectively protecting the machines, the data, the environment and, above all, the people who live with and from these technologies.
Act now and win
Even with small quantities, proactive action is worthwhile, because retrofitting later is more expensive and usually more challenging from a regulatory perspective. Agricultural machinery manufacturers who are now addressing ISO 24882 are investing in the future viability of their products and their company.
