With the rapid evolution in technological advancements, it has become all the more necessary to create solutions that ensure the security of operational technologies. A couple of factors contribute to this urgent need, one of which is the recognition of how critical operational technologies are for industries across various sectors and business sizes.
Cybersecurity risks to operational technology (OT) systems are increasing, and businesses need to be proactive in addressing these threats. Gaining a clear understanding of industrial cybersecurity will enable organizations to assess their current security strategies and better prepare for the future. By evaluating their existing measures, companies can anticipate potential vulnerabilities and make informed decisions that protect their infrastructure and critical assets.
But first, what is Industrial Cybersecurity, and how is it important in 2024/5?
What is Industrial Cybersecurity?
Industrial cybersecurity refers to the effort to protect vital assets like computer systems and networks of industries such as transportation, manufacturing, and energy from cyber threats that could have disastrous effects on entire sectors. When considering industrial cybersecurity insights and best practices, there are similarities shared with ICS Best Practices. The end goal is to ensure that control systems are well-protected and vital industry assets remain functional.
The Importance of Industrial Security Today
Industrial security is important for every company regardless of their size or stage. From protecting proprietary data, to ensuring compliance with regulations, industrial security is indispensable. Here are some reasons to consider implementing proper security measures for your industry.
- Safety of assets—Every industry has various kinds of assets, from physical to digital. A comprehensive industrial security plan provides for the safety of these assets.
- Regulatory compliance—Laws and regulations govern the operations of industries and sectors in every jurisdiction, and these laws often cover cybersecurity protection, data privacy, environmental regulations, and others. Beefing up your industrial security measures helps your industry stay within the bounds of the law.
- Employee safety—Industrial security goes beyond preventing cyber threats and covers physical, chemical, and biological dangers. Prioritizing industrial security ensures the safety of your employees from dangers of all kinds.
Top Standards In Industrial Cybersecurity
As different industrial sectors become increasingly connected through digital transformation, they are more vulnerable to cyber threats. As a result, certain industrial cybersecurity standards ensure the safety and reliability of ICS best practices. These standards provide best practices and technical requirements required to protect industrial systems from external attacks that could result in financial losses.
Today, there are many industrial cybersecurity standards followed by organizations across various sectors. However, here are the best standards practiced by most industries worldwide:
IEC 62443
The IEC 62443 is a series of industrial cybersecurity standards made to enhance the safety of industrial systems. By following the IEC 62443 standards, companies can secure their operations and industrial machinery. These standards outline the requirements and procedures for establishing secure industrial control systems.
The series takes a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity, bridging the gap between operations and IT, as well as aligning process safety with cybersecurity. The IEC 62443 series builds on established OT security standards while addressing key differences in Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS).
NIST SP 800-82
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-82 is a top cybersecurity standard that enhances the protection of OT systems. The document highlights common flaws that are easily exploited within industrial systems.
Moreover, the standard provides recommended security measures to address these associated risks. Usually, NIST Special Publications are issued by the agency to provide guidance and best practices. Specifically, the SP 800-series focuses on the IT Laboratory’s research, guidelines, and outreach efforts in computer security, as well as its collaborative activities with the global industry.
NERC CIP
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) is a top standard in industrial cybersecurity with a Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) program to mitigate risks to cyber assets in the industry. This program is mandatory for any organization or responsible entity operating within the electricity segment of the energy sector.
The NERC is a regulatory body that enhances the reliability and adequacy of power transmission within the electric utility systems in the United States. As part of its mandate, NERC develops and enforces Reliability Standards, including the NERC CIP program, to safeguard the grid’s security and reliability.
Top Insights for Industrial Cybersecurity Experts
Here are 7 key insights concerning industrial cybersecurity for OT security. These insights reflect the growing trends and noteworthy directions in industrial cybersecurity that experts should note.
The increased interrelationship between IT and OT
Operational technology and information technology have differences, but more IT and OT technologies are being integrated to enhance smooth workflow, information dissemination and retention, and other benefits. This is an improvement, and it has many advantages, but it also exposes operational technologies to the dangers of information technology. Hackers can use the weaknesses in IT networks and tools in an industry to take control of OT machinery and cause havoc.
Sectors like energy, transportation, manufacturing, and utilities need to increase the interface between physical and cybersecurity.
The vital role of human actors in OT security
The human element is often recognized as the weakest link in cybersecurity. This remains a valid axiom and it is one that requires attention going forward. Behavioral hacking, non-vigilance, and avoidable mistakes can result in the collapse of Operational and information technologies. The need for constant training and other security measures reduces the risks of human errors and can even induce quick and proactive responses to OT security threats. In 2022, the case of a shared teamviewer password led to an attack on the Oldsmar treatment plant in an attempt to poison the water at the plant. The attempt was unsuccessful as an operator witnessed the attack as it took place and was able to take corrective actions, which limited the damage of the attack to the public.
IIoT and the increased risk to OT
There has been an increase in the use of industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technologies, which has improved the capabilities of many operational technologies regardless of whether they are legacy products or not, but it has also expanded the range and risks of cybersecurity threats to OT. With the increase in the use of IIoT, there has been a shift in the control of critical parts of OT, especially in control systems. Furthermore, the complexity of these systems has increased dramatically. This has made it a bit more difficult to manage and coordinate physical and cybersecurity measures to protect industrial assets by many businesses.
The way forward would involve more concentration on effective cyber and physical security measures and strict adherence to protocols such as regular firmware updates, device authentications, and strong encryptions.
Zero-trust access principles as an effective Cybersecurity protocol
The zero-trust access principle is a process that requires constant authentication across teams whenever processes are being engaged. This works in physical settings but also ties in with the increase in remote access solutions that already involve multi-factor authentication, secure tunneling protocols, and end-to-end encryption to safeguard remote access points. OT is being tied in with more zero-trust access architecture to improve cybersecurity and reduce the risks of cyber threats. This increase in adoption means that there must be general upgrades to various OT systems across industries and a new, stricter, and more regulated attitude toward access controls. With zero-trust access frameworks, every network access to key control components has to be verified with each use.
Increased regulatory and compliance measures
Many existing OT architectures are old and use legacy/proprietary software and technologies. This means many operational technologies are quite behind when compared to more recent IT technology and are very different within companies in the same industry. There are moves for regulations and laws to create and enforce a unified standard within industries, which is gaining momentum.
An example is the NIS2 security directive that stipulates OT cybersecurity posture for companies in the pulp and paper industry. The Saudi National Cybersecurity Authority has recently rolled out regulations that show a trend of more regulated and stricter authorities’ approaches to cybersecurity, especially regarding managed service and SOC providers. This might lead to further national and international regulations for OT security and general cybersecurity safety.
The AI wave and OT security
The AI wave has not spared any industry, and various facets are affected, including OT security. The results of many industries adopting AI solutions and augmentations are multifaceted.
Integrating AI with ICS systems and OT increases their productivity and autonomous flow, but it also increases their complexities, opening the systems to gaps that can be exploited by hackers and malware.
On the plus side, AI improves the execution of autonomous tasks and can help identify irregular activities in OT usage. AI can be both a bane and a vital tool for industrial Cyber security.
Supply chain security
The supply chain is an important part of industrial processes and can easily become a target for hackers. This is true both in the supply of OT tools and machinery and in products and services managed using OT. Companies have to be more aware of the risks and ensure that third parties are vigilant, putting up security measures to combat cyber threats to supply chains because a breach in any step of the supply chain process can compromise the entire system.
Conclusion
Taking a Cyber-Physical System (CPS) Security approach to OT security addresses both cyber and physical dangers and provides a complete approach to securing operational technologies. Furthermore, these insights give you a glimpse into some of the trending and important issues concerning industrial cyber security, ranging from the growing relationship and interdependence between OT and IT to the evolving legal landscape that governs OT security.
