The article is devoted to the theory and experimental verification of methods that ensure the quality of training of information security specialists for agro-industrial enterprises. Effective study of information security can be achieved through a spiral approach in the theoretical part and a practice-oriented approach in the laboratory-practical assignments, which ensures the formation of competencies in the field of study. The spiral approach implies a gradual study of theory, from the simplest to the most complex, with simultaneous consolidation of the acquired knowledge in practical classes. The practice-oriented approach consists of three stages. The first stage is the completion of educational practice at agricultural enterprises. The second stage is the mastering of laboratory practice using virtual machines for which students are given administrator rights. The third stage is a complex laboratory work to create recommendations for improving the security policy of the object under study (real enterprise of agro-industrial complex), and the development of a program containing various methods of cryptographic information protection. The approach described above has greatly improved the quality of understanding of issues related to information technology security in agriculture.