Cybercriminals no longer just target large corporations or financial institutions. They’re now also targeting farmers, fishers, and other small businesses in the countryside.

But why? How dangerous are these attacks? And more importantly, what can be done to protect rural regions digitally?

Why Are Cyberattacks Increasing in Rural Areas?

The UK already receives the most cyberattacks in Europe, with over 40% of UK businesses having experienced an attack in the last year.

These widespread attacks have long been spreading into rural areas for the simple reason that the countryside is no longer digitally isolated. Online banking, cloud-based file storage, smart machinery, and remote monitoring systems—fishers, village businesses, and farmers are now using all sorts of digital systems on a wide scale.

Of course, this technological advancement is good. It makes businesses more efficient and potentially more lucrative. The downside, however, is that anyone from anywhere can harm them. 

Cybercriminals also target rural areas not necessarily out of preference, but out of opportunity. Most rural businesses are small and independently run. 

Access to any kind of tech support is extremely limited. Many businesses likely run outdated software or consumer-grade networking equipment—a far cry from larger enterprises that likely have dedicated IT teams. 

Attackers, on the other hand, use highly efficient automated tools that can scan thousands of organisations at once, identifying and exploiting these weaknesses without distinguishing between urban and rural locations.

And when they see a small business that’s easy to attack, it’s likely to be a family shop in the countryside. 

Another factor is supply-chain connectivity. Rural businesses might yield small gains for attackers on their own, but they’re still probably connected to larger businesses, such as distributors and suppliers. These smaller businesses can serve as a stepping stone, granting easier access to larger ones. 

The Forms and Impact of Cyberattacks

The gravity and impact of a digital attack can vary greatly. They can range, for example, from a social media account takeover, which can be easily addressed if dealt with immediately, to a data exposure of a whole industry.

Furthermore, it can lead to severe financial loss and months of business disruption—if not outright closure. On average, a cyberattack can cost as much as £195,000 and cause a lengthy setback for any UK business.

For example, ransomware can lock farm management systems, disrupting feeding schedules, veterinary records, or harvest planning.

For rural manufacturers and service providers, losing access to their accounts or systems can halt production and prevent transactions with customers.

With typically smaller teams, limited redundancy, and tighter profit margins, small businesses in rural areas likely don’t have the resources to prevent—much less absorb—these threats. 

After all, rural business owners themselves may not be particularly aware of this trend. Many still think that this problem is mainly for offices in cities, not for farms or fisheries. And so if and when they do get attacked, they may not know how to best respond.

What Can Be Done to Reduce the Risk?

Improving the resilience of rural regions cannot be done by any single individual or organisation. For such a systemic problem, there truly needs to be a collective effort from different parties.

Firstly, the government must take the lead by offering clear, practical guidance for farms, fisheries, and other small rural businesses. For example, digital skills programmes with cybersecurity education as a core part.

Of course, secure technology should also be encouraged from the very start. Any kind of digital technology involved in publicly funded projects, for example, should meet high security standards. Regulation must also push technology manufacturers to prioritise security. 

Technology providers and other industry bodies must then follow these data and security regulations and design products with security built in—and not just as an afterthought. Users must have an easy time securing the devices and applying updates and patches.

Those in rural communities also need to take initiative. Farming groups, rural business networks, and community initiatives can play a key role by sharing trusted advice, organising training, and helping others with technological concerns. 

The Right Tools

In the long run, cybersecurity needs to feel like locking one’s doors at night, like a normal part of running a business, not something technical or intimidating.

On the individual level, basic online security practices can go far. A lot of rural businesses operate with diverse platforms, some modern, some outdated. A farm might use an older operating system that only tracks accounting records.

Workers in rural areas are increasingly relying on mobile devices for convenience, but this introduces another layer of considerations for security. 

Use strong passwords, keep devices and software updated, and know what a phishing email looks like. Using appropriate security tools like antivirus software, authentication apps, or a Linux VPN, or equivalent for Windows and macOS, can also add another layer of protection.

Looking Ahead

Digital software and systems are essential to efficient farming, fishing, manufacturing, and other rural industries. Digital safety is a national concern for urban and rural areas.

And as reliance on these technologies continues to grow, so too will the prevalence and danger of cyber threats. Implementing digital protection measures should be vital and a standard for any community.