Why data protection is key to global animal health security

When animal viruses and computer viruses converge

The veterinary diagnostic sector has long battled viral threats: rapid contagion, uncontrolled spread, health crises… But now, a new type of virus has reached farms: the computer virus. Invisible yet equally dangerous, it follows the same logic as its biological counterpart. It is no coincidence that both worlds share the same vocabulary: patient zero, contamination, propagation, antivirus, crisis management. 

With the rise of precision agriculture – sensors, milking robots, tracking software – farms have become more efficient, but also more vulnerable. A cyberattack can distort a diagnosis, delay the detection of a disease, or bring an entire supply chain to a halt – just as an animal virus can decimate a herd. Protecting animal health now also means protecting the digital systems that monitor them. Whether biological or digital, a virus knows no boundaries.

Cyber risks associated with animal health data

When it comes to cyberattacks, farms are rarely the first thing that comes to mind. Yet the agricultural and veterinary world has become a prime target, and attacks in the sector are on the rise. 

Like human health data, animal health data is rich, strategic and sensitive. Compromising it can lead to major risks: 

• Health risk: Altering data integrity (e.g., intentional modification of results) or blocking herd monitoring systems can produce incorrect diagnoses, delay the detection of epizootics or compromise treatment management. These have direct consequences for animal health and, by extension, public health. 

• Economic risk: Loss of traceability – whether herd data or entire supply chain archives – or unavailability of essential diagnostic tools can halt operations suddenly and generate significant losses. An example is the milking robot attack in Switzerland, which resulted in the death of a cow and its calf. 

• Reputation risk: A leak of sensitive data or a disinformation campaign can undermine consumer trust and harm commercial relationships. In a sector where transparency is crucial, reputational damage can be just as costly as material loss. 

Animal health data forms the foundation for health, economic and strategic decisions. Attacking it means weakening the entire ecosystem, with severe consequences.

How do we strengthen data protection systems? 

In connected laboratories and farms, everything may seem under control: sensors, software and apps continuously provide valuable information. But a single failure or intrusion can quickly remind us that technology is never neutral.

Awareness – The first step is raising consciousness 

The animal health sector is still novel to cybersecurity. Raising awareness among farmers, veterinarians, cooperatives, industry players and laboratories is a top priority. 

Collective action is the key to sector resilience: understanding specific threats, identifying risks and adopting good practices forms the first line of defense against cyberattacks. 

Governance and a Culture of Data Protection 

Cybersecurity is not just about technical tools = it is primarily a matter of governance and culture. Solutions exist, but they require political will, organizational commitment and a culture of protection disseminated across all levels: laboratories, companies, farms and administrations. 

Without this collective requirement, even the best tools will not prove enough against skilled cybercriminals. 

Investing to protect the future 

In the age of artificial intelligence and predictive models, data is the fuel driving innovation. But such investments will only be valuable if security is integrated from the start. Cybersecurity by design is no longer optional – it is a prerequisite for sustainability. 

Developing a culture of data protection 

Every year, the veterinary and agricultural sectors produce a massive amount of animal health data, whose scientific, economic and strategic value also attracts malicious actors. 

It’s no longer a question of whether an attack will occur – but whether we will be ready when it does. Are we ready?  

It all comes down to individual action. 

Start by asking yourself: 

• Do you know the level of protection in your organisation? 

• Do your teams/colleagues know how to recognise and avoid data-related risks? 

• Would you be ready to respond if a cyberattack occurred tomorrow? 

Protecting data starts with these simple questions and with the answers each of us will be able to provide.