“THE INDUSTRIAL AND MANUFACTURING SECTOR HAS SEEN AN EXPLOSION OF DATA-GATHERING TECHNOLOGY THAT IS PLUGGED DIRECTLY INTO ONLINE NETWORKS. THE GROWTH OF IOT IN THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR HAS, PREDICTABLY, LEAD TO A CORRESPONDING GROWTH IN CYBER-ATTACKS AGAINST THESE BUSINESSES. EVERY NEW DIGITALLY CONNECTED DEVICE AT A WORKPLACE CAN BE SEEN BY A HACKER AS A POTENTIAL ACCESS POINT TO SENSITIVE INFORMATION. ”
Again, part of the problem comes from a culture which
doesn’t recognize the ways cybersecurity and workplace safety are tied together. “Equipment manufacturers generally ignore cybersecurity threats; it just isn’t part of most engineering disciplines,” Malik elaborated. “Te guiding principles behind any industrial control technology are safety first, and service availability second.”
When it comes to defending physical equipment, Malik advises businesses do their homework. He suggests that users, “… choose devices that use secure designs, such as Bluetooth Low Energy, keep the devices physically secure, install patches when available, and change the pairing codes from time to time.” Being aware of IoT equipment, and its susceptibility to hacks, is also essential, noted Pescatore: “Te key is to understand what in your company has internet connectivity, if it touches your sensitive business areas, and if it’s not being taken care of.”
PREVENTING ATTACKS No matter the target, the cornerstones to any good cybersecurity program are awareness, education, and preparation. A lot of damage can be mitigated, and avoided altogether, by recognizing that every business—no matter the size or market—is a target and by building a strong cybersecurity culture. Counterintuitively, human personnel remain the first and
most important line of defense against digital attacks. Integrating a few basic cybersecurity principles into general employee safety training can have a big impact. For Seale, the two key touchstones are effective password management and familiarity with phishing scams. “If a business can tackle those two items really well, they can go a long way to protecting themselves,” she said. Tere are a variety of cybersecurity services that offer phishing tests that can help employees gain familiarity with fraudulent messages. Hackers are always coming up with new methods, and therefore, phishing education should be ongoing—not a one- time deal. Digital hygiene is also critical. Any updates to security
software should be promptly installed to keep systems ahead of hackers. Tis includes regular updates to smart phones, tablets, and any of the other numerous IoT devices tethered to a company’s network. Finally, rigorous backup practices are also fundamental to a cybersecurity program. “You’re never going to stop everything; even today, banks still get robbed and shoplifting is still a problem,” Pescatore pointed
out. “It’s often overlooked, but backing up your data is important.” Luckily, with the rise of cloud-based storage systems, backing up data is easier than ever. Backups should be updated and tested regularly, and should be secured so that they are separated from main systems or networks. In addition to these basics, there is a wealth of online
resources available for companies interested in learning more. Both the NCSS and SANS offer cutting-edge education and support services, and Trend Micro publishes a wealth of deep-dive reports on the industry’s most pressing topics. Additionally, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, a branch of the Department of Homeland Security, has a variety of resources available on its website. Te tools are out there—it’s too great a risk not to establish a cybersecurity program. So, stay educated, stay aware, and stay protected from cyber-attacks. y
WIRE ROPE EXCHANGE MAY–JUNE 2019 33
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