Welcome to the fourth in a series of articles discussing the importance of an Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC) in the food and agriculture sector. In our first article,¹ we examined how security threats against the sector are increasing, and how cyber threats against the global supply system are on the rise. To raise awareness of these threats and to encourage a coordinated response in the event of a widespread incident, we recommended that an ISAC be formed for the sector. Our second article² reviewed the history of ISACs and discussed the importance of establishing one specifically for the food and agriculture industry. We also talked about the necessary steps to set up a broad ISAC for the sector. Our third article³ focused on threat information sharing and how it is encouraged between businesses that may otherwise be restricted by anti-competitive laws or regulations.

Shortly before our third article went to print, the Information Technology ISAC announced that its Food and Agriculture Special Interest Group (SIG) was renamed the Food and Ag-ISAC.⁴ The authors appreciate that initiative and support any effort to improve the sharing and analysis of threat information within the sector. A similar project, underway for over a year, is building a robust FA-ISAC capability to be anchored at several land grant institutions across the country. This consortium plans to bring together experts and students in a series of "teaching ISACs" that will educate future leaders, as well as provide warnings and guidance to thousands of small and mid-size organizations via the cooperative extension service offices located in nearly every county. We will provide updates as this project moves forward.