When Worlds Collide: Where Industrial Automation Meets Cybersecurity
Is cybersecurity for industrial automation systems providing a more secure supply chain?
One of the most disruptive cyber-attack on critical infrastructure in the U.S happened on May 7, 2021: a ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline halted the pipeline's 5,500-mile east coast pipeline.
This attack has served as a wake-up call for most organizations, especially those dealing with critical infrastructure.
If you've not yet implemented a standard-based approach to cybersecurity risk assessment and mitigation, now is the time to do it.
When Worlds Collide: Where Industrial Automation Meets Cybersecurity
Industrial automation is a major player in most processing and manufacturing plants that produce essential products, and cyber threats are increasing as a result.
As each day, hour, and minute passes, security researchers discover new viruses designed to attack computer systems. Hence, cybersecurity is becoming an important part of the industrial automation process.
Cybersecurity in Industrial Automation
The importance of cybersecurity in industrial automation comes down to one desire to keep a company's data, devices, and client information private and safe. This is especially true since industrial automation requires companies to store large quantities of data on internet connected devices such as computers, much of which is considered to be quite sensitive.
It would be best if you had cybersecurity experts to protect your data, intellectual property, and client information as a company. Using common cybersecurity practices will help to ensure that your production line will be safe from a hacker’s malicious control.
Benefits of Cybersecurity
By implementing proper cybersecurity measures, a company can protect itself from different cybersecurity threats. With the right cybersecurity measures, unauthorized users will not be able to access your company's crucial information. In general, it helps protect the company's end-users and its employees.
Even in a scenario where cybersecurity measures do not prevent a cyber-attack or breach, it makes crucial data recovery much quicker.
So as long as your company has the best cybersecurity measures, you will have a more confident customer base on the type of services you are offering.
Types of Cybersecurity Threats in Industry Automation
There are hundreds of different cybersecurity threats associated with industrial automation. Here are some of the most common ones:
· Malware
Malware is a software, program, or file, and its number one aim is to harm your computer. A few examples of this malicious software include computer viruses, Trojan horses, worms, or even spyware. Most malicious software, programs, or files are spread through downloads.
· DDOS Attack
DDOS is a Distributional Denial of Service Attack, which works by overwhelming your company's servers with too much traffic until they cannot handle any valid request. A DDOS attack can completely stop an organization's production and distribution process.
· Man in the Middle Attack
A man-in-the-middle attack is an event in which cybercriminals intercept conversations or some form of data transmission between two organizations. A good example of how cybercriminals intercept your data is through an unsecured Wi-Fi network.
· Phishing
Phishing is a cyber threat that involves sending fake emails from an address that seems legitimate to gather more information, such as passwords or even your client's credit card details.
· SQL Injection
This type of cyber attack mainly focuses on stealing data from databases. It involves introducing some form of malicious code via a SQL statement and taking advantage of any vulnerabilities in your system.
Challenges of Cybersecurity
· It’s always evolving.
With the continuous growth of technology, cybercriminals are being provided with new ways and an ever-growing list of opportunities to exploit your company through cyber attacks.
With the new and more advanced technology being introduced and discovered each day, cybercriminals can develop new ways to carry out cyber attacks, making it quite challenging for organizations to stay up to date with the ever-changing cybersecurity.
The advancement of technology has left many companies vulnerable to cyber attacks that could steal data or cause hefty damage.
· There is a need for training and educating your employees.
As a company, you cannot always rely on software to keep your company safe; you are required to train your employees and help them understand which actions are likely to leave a company's data exposed, for example, opening emails from unknown emails.
Such training will require you to budget for the training and find time off the employee's normal working hours to train them.
START AUTOMATING WITH NRTC
NRTC Automation is dedicated to providing high-value industrial automation and manufacturing equipment solutions to all our customers.
From decommissioning and tear out to industrial robotic training services to custom flexible work cells, NRTC is the key to integrate your workplace. With personalized training and custom-built designs, NRTC Automation is the destination for all your industrial automation and manufacturing equipment services.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you meet your production goals.