In a world where our digital lives are intricately intertwined with our daily activities, the latest cybersecurity debacle involving Crowdstrike has sent shockwaves through industries far and wide. This incident underscores the vulnerabilities that persist even among the most fortified digital fortresses. For those of us in the agriculture and food production sectors, it’s a stark reminder that the threats we face aren’t just physical but digital as well.

Just two days before Crowdstrike pushed their “bad update”, the World Economic Forum (WEF) re-released a video titled “A Cyber-Attack with COVID-like Characteristics,” (below) alongside an article emphasizing the lessons the COVID-19 pandemic can teach us about cybersecurity. They warned of a potential “cyber pandemic” that could cripple critical infrastructure, disrupt economies, and compromise sensitive data. This fear, now materializing with the Crowdstrike event, highlights the urgency of securing our digital environments.

We will explore the implications of such cyber threats on our food supply chain and propose a two-fold approach to fortifying our systems: decentralization and digital sovereignty. By leveraging historical insights and modern technologies like Content Management Systems (CMS) and Bitcoin, we aim to build resilient systems independent of centralized authorities. The goal is to ensure that our family farms and food producers can continue to operate securely and efficiently, even in the face of escalating digital threats.

In September of 2024, the WEF is launching a new project, Cyber Polygon, which aims to prepare for and prevent cyberattacks. This initiative, which involves global organizations and governments, will simulate a major cyberattack to identify vulnerabilities and improve collective response strategies. Cyber Polygon’s approach mirrors the collaborative and multi-faceted response to COVID-19, raising concerns that a future cyber pandemic might mimic the virus’s lab origins in terms of its engineered and highly coordinated nature.

Prediction and Implications of an Online Catastrophe

Given the escalating threat landscape, it is plausible to predict another major online catastrophe in the near future. Such an event could be triggered by a bad software update (as with the recent Crowdstrike outage) or it could begin with a sophisticated attack on critical infrastructure or major corporations, exploiting vulnerabilities in widely-used software or networks. The immediate aftermath would likely see widespread panic, financial loss, and a loss of trust in digital systems. In response, governments and organizations may introduce a new layer of online authentication, similar to the TSA’s role in airport security post-9/11. This system could involve stringent identity verification processes, increased surveillance, and possibly even more robust biometric authentication, aimed at preventing unauthorized access and ensuring the integrity of online interactions.

Decentralization and Digital Sovereignty as Solutions

Originally, the internet was designed to be a decentralized network. However, centralization has increased, making systems vulnerable to attacks. To counter this, we’ve embraced decentralization through Bitcoin and developed independent Content Management Systems (CMS), enhancing security and resilience.

The Beef Initiative exemplifies this approach, promoting digital sovereignty for food producers. Using eCommerce tools and open-source web services, we help ranchers create strong consumer-retailer-supplier relationships, reach wider markets, manage transactions efficiently, and maintain control over their operations without relying on centralized systems.

Experience the power of decentralization with Hometown Meat Market’s community-based processing and distribution model, brought to you by The Beef Initiative. By replicating this model, we want to empower communities everywhere to take control of their food supply. Our featured beef boxes from K&C Cattle Co., 3C Cattle Co., and Shirttail Creek Farm—processed by Cole Bolton of K&C Cattle Co and Hometown Meat Market—deliver premium quality while supporting local ranchers.

Practical Implementation and Benefits

The practical implementation of these decentralized systems involves creating robust networks that connect producers directly with consumers. eCommerce tools play a crucial role in establishing these connections, offering platforms for producers to sell their products directly to consumers. For instance, ranchers can join The Beef Initiative’s retail marketplace through Shopify Collective, gaining greater market access and leveraging our funnel marketing systems to boost their sales. This approach not only ensures a resilient supply chain but also empowers producers by giving them control over their products and pricing.

Furthermore, the Beef Initiative encourages producers to contribute content here on BeefNews.org and sign themselves up on BeefIndex.org, fostering a community of informed and engaged stakeholders. By sharing articles, essays, and personal stories, producers can educate consumers about their agriculture practices, the challenges they face, and the importance of supporting local food systems.

Non-Digital Decentralization

In addition to digital solutions, we must recognize the importance of human connections in creating resilient systems. The story of Captaid Sidd’s journey into Decentralized Global Beef Intelligence exemplifies this human aspect of decentralization. Sidd’s travels across America and the world, meeting Bitcoin enthusiasts and ranchers, highlight the value of personal interactions and trust-building in decentralized networks.

Sidd’s experiences at The Beef Initiative conference in Kerrville back in 2022 and his subsequent travels reveal the profound impact of decentralized knowledge sharing. By connecting with like-minded individuals and communities, Sidd was able to explore the links between health, nutrition, and decentralized food systems. This human-centered approach to decentralization complements digital solutions, ensuring a holistic strategy for resilience.

Conclusion

The recent Crowdstrike event has illuminated the pressing need for robust cybersecurity measures across all sectors, including agriculture and food production. As we navigate an increasingly digital world, the risks of cyberattacks and “bad updates” loom large, threatening the very foundations of our food supply chains. By embracing decentralization and digital sovereignty, we can build resilient systems that are less vulnerable to large-scale cyberattacks. The Beef Initiative serves as a model for how these principles can be applied in practice, empowering food producers and fostering resilient supply chains. Looking ahead, the integration of digital and human-centered decentralization strategies offers a promising (if not the only) path towards a more secure and resilient future.