INDUSTRIAL CYBER SECURITY
Distribution facilities like electrical grids or gas pipelines are often targeted as a high reward option , especially if they ’ re after a ransomware payout , according to Stuart Taylor , Senior Director at cybersecurity Forcepoint ’ s X-Labs division , who deliver modern cybersecurity by proactively safeguarding critical data and IP .
Despite the great steps forward made by the manufacturing sector , like all kinds of industries in regards to digitisation and the rise of IoT , this now means operations are often much more interconnected than they once were .
“ This has made for huge efficiency and management gains , but it ’ s also opened up more equipment and IT systems to potential targeting . Companies must remain on the defensive . To truly protect these assets , they should cut off remote access from the Internet wherever possible . If access is no longer needed , close those ports and connections .
“ Air Gap-critical machinery wherever possible . Keep on top of system patching , and reinforce any existing multi-factor authentication with biometrics or additional password protection . Security providers and vendors also have a huge duty of care here , whether it ’ s advising organisations on steps they should be taking or offering a more aggressive backend security approach for managed services clients ,” he said .
It seems that no organisation , however big or small , is immune to cyber threats , with barely a week passing by without another story of a business suffering the severe consequences of a cyber incident .
“ With such high stakes , the manufacturing industry must get proactive , and act as if this is a ‘ when , not if ’ situation .” technologymagazine . com 95