i TWO-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION
8,275 acre figure. The producer pays his premium on the planted 7,936 acres (the FSA classifies the 339.28 unplanted acres as Idle) and saves a few thousand dollars in the process. Using the data you’ve collected while still in the field has other big advantages too. When your specialist gets the data, he or she can begin to review it for submission instead of keying data and asking you questions. It is more accurate, it is auditable, and it is a great way to meet compliance requirements. Technology is everywhere in today’s farming operations. Producers use the data collected to control planting, inputs, and harvest at a level of precision and efficiency that
Every day we use any number of online services like Google, Facebook or Outlook to name a few. Often without even thinking about, we store a treasure trove of personal data in these services that could be of great value to an attacker. One of the simplest ways to enhance and protect these accounts is to enable two-factor authentication. Also known as two-step verification or 2FA, the process of twofactor requires that you must provide something you know (your password) and then a second form of authentication by something you have. This could be a SMS message or a push notification to your cell phone.
was unheard of even 10 years ago. It only makes sense to use that same technology and its hyper-accurate data to complete required USDA reporting instead of drawing on a paper map with red pens in a county office.
By enabling two-factor authentication, you greatly reduce the chance that an attacker can compromise your online accounts if they have your password, as they would not be able to provide the second method of authentication.
And because crop insurance is paid on those actual planted acres, the cost to both producers and taxpayers is reduced while providing the same program benefits.
The challenge with two-factor is each online service that offers two-factor has different steps for configuration. To help you in the process, there is an online resource that provides guidance on configuring two-factor authentication on your various accounts, visit: http://tiny.cc/qsc8yy. ■
Lower premiums means more dollars kept by farmers, and more dollars kept by farmers provides more opportunity for them to invest in their operation. ■ The opinions stated herein are not necessarily those of GreenStone Farm Credit Services.
...Tech Tip
Partners — Fall 2018
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