Industrial cyber security, a key pillar in the digital age
In an increasingly interconnected global environment, industrial companies have had to make cyber security a top priority. As risks in the digital environment increase, protecting information is essential to ensure privacy and integrity.
The incorporation of digital technologies into industrial processes has enabled great strides to be made in terms of efficiency and automation. However, this transformation has also left industrial companies vulnerable to new risks. As a result, industrial cybersecurity has become a key aspect of ensuring operational continuity, physical security and asset protection.
What is industrial cyber security?
Industrial cyber security is concerned with protecting the systems, networks and devices that control industrial processes from cyber threats. Unlike traditional cyber security, which is focused on protecting information (IT), industrial cyber security focuses on operational technology (OT), such as:
- SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition)
- PLC (Programmable Logic Controllers)
- OT networks (Operational Technology)
At the international level, ISA/IEC 62443 is the set of international standards developed specifically to ensure cybersecurity in industrial automation and control systems. Its objective is to protect industrial installations against cyber threats.
Major threats in the industrial sector
The industrial sector is increasingly exposed to cyber attacks due to the integration between operational technology and information technology. Below you will find the most relevant threats:
Targeted Ransomware
Targeted Ransomware is the hijacking of industrial systems or data by encryption, with a financial ransom demand to restore them.
For companies, this means a total paralysis of production, loss of critical data, economic and reputational damage.
Intrusion through the IT network
This type of attack is when the attacker enters through office systems (mail, ERP...) and moves laterally until reaching industrial networks (OT). The absence of a clear separation between IT and OT environments significantly increases the risk of intrusion.
This intrusion can involve manipulation of physical processes, sabotage or industrial espionage.
Obsolete devices
Too often, industries do not update their industrial equipment and this can be a risk, because they no longer receive security patches.
Attacks on suppliers or supply chains
A company can be breached through its technology partners or suppliers.
This type of threat is characterised by indirect infections that are very difficult to detect.
Protection strategies
Protecting industrial systems requires a holistic approach that combines technology, processes and organisational culture.
Below we show you which strategies are the most effective in reducing the risk of cyber-attacks:
Segmentation of IT and OT networks
One of the most important points is to separate the corporate network (IT) from the industrial network (OT), because in the event of an attack, segmentation prevents the attack from spreading to the control system.
Access management and authentication
Access management is used to control who has access to the systems at any given time.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) and remote access logging are some of the resources companies have at their disposal to control access.
Inventory and asset management
Having an inventory of all the devices that are connected within a company is essential to detect those that are unknown or compromised.
Controlled updates
Linked to the previous point, updating all devices within a company is crucial to avoid vulnerabilities.
It is advisable to validate patches in test environments before applying them in production and to establish secure maintenance windows.
Backup copies
Regular and secure backups of critical configurations, data and systems will prevent the loss of information in the event of an attack.
Not only is it important to make these backups, but they should also be kept isolated from the main network.
Industrial cyber security can no longer be treated as a secondary concern. In an environment where threats are increasingly sophisticated and persistent, it is necessary to protect operations that require a comprehensive strategy combining advanced technology, best practices and a robust security culture. Investing in cyber security not only protects data, but also ensures greater protection for the production, reputation and physical security of industrial operations.
Is your industrial infrastructure prepared to deal with today's cyber threats?
A security breach can jeopardise your reputation, expose sensitive information and affect the trust your customers have in you. At BCM Marketing we recommend that you protect your company's digital environment by assessing your company's level of exposure. Being forewarned is the first step to face these threats.
