IT Pros Can Help Mitigate the Growing Threat of Cyberattacks on Industrial Controls
Industrial control systems (ICS) are the beating heart of operational technology (OT) that keeps our modern world turning. These systems facilitate the function of vital components of critical infrastructure, from manufacturing plants to power grids. The impact of a successful attack on an industrial control system can be massive, creating threats to the environment, national security and public safety. Unfortunately, like other cyberthreats, attacks on ICS have also been escalating. ICS/OT cybersecurity incidents in the last three years have already exceeded the total number reported between 1991-2000. By learning more about ICS, IT pros can understand the vital role they play in defending those key systems from cyberthreats.
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What are industrial controls?
Industrial controls manage and monitor the industrial processes that are essential for the operation of critical infrastructure. Attacks on these systems can have devastating consequences. However, risk is surging. These are the three most common general categories of ICS:
- Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems monitor and control large-scale processes over wide areas. They collect data from sensors, send it to a central system for analysis and allow operators to manage operations remotely. SCADA systems include a human-machine interface (HMI) for interaction and often integrate with software to analyze trends and predict issues. They are commonly used in water treatment and oil and gas processing facilities.
- Distributed Control Systems (DCS) are used to control and monitor processes within a single facility, like power plants or manufacturing sites. Unlike SCADA, which manages multiple locations, DCS focuses on localized control. It provides real-time feedback, allowing operators to adjust processes based on sensor data. The system is divided into smaller units that control specific areas, all connected to a central supervisory unit.
- Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) are industrial computers that control specific, repeatable tasks like assembly lines and machinery. Unlike SCADA or DCS, which manage complex processes, PLCs focus on discrete operations. PLCs take input from sensors, execute control logic and send commands to machinery to facilitate smooth operations. They can work alone or integrate with SCADA or DCS for broader control. These flexible and reliable systems are in widespread use for a wide variety of manufacturing capacities including automotive production lines, food processing and medical device manufacturing.
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Many ICS are dangerously accessible to bad actors
One of the major cyberthreats that ICS face is internet exposure. This dangerous weakness is easy for cybercriminals to exploit. Researchers estimate that there are over 145,000 internet-exposed ICS worldwide. These systems are spread out across 175 countries, with 38% located in North America, 35% in Europe and 22% in Asia. In the U.S. alone, there are an estimated 48,000 exposed ICS.
Here’s why that’s a recipe for disaster:
- ICS are often prime targets for advanced persistent threats (APTs) and nation-state actors, who may seek to disrupt a rival nation’s critical infrastructure for geopolitical gain.
- Many ICS were not built with cybersecurity in mind and can’t stand up to modern cyberattacks, like brute force or credential stuffing. Some older systems are at even higher risk due to a reliance on default passwords and a lack of encryption.
- Exposed ICS are sitting ducks for ransomware gangs. Once an attacker gains access, they can lock operators out of critical systems or disable them entirely. The Colonial Pipeline attack is an excellent example of what can happen when bad actors seize an ICS.
- The proliferation of poorly secured Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) devices, like smart meters, predictive maintenance sensors and environmental monitoring devices connected to ICS, provides more entry points for bad actors.
- A successful attack on ICS can result in costly physical damage. At least 68 cyberattacks in 2023 caused physical consequences to OT at more than 500 sites worldwide — and in some cases causing $10 million to $100 million in damages.
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7 tips to help IT professionals secure ICS
As cyberattacks on ICS continue to grow more frequent and sophisticated, IT professionals must take proactive steps to defend these vital systems. These tips can enhance a winning defensive strategy:
- Run regular security awareness training: A well-trained workforce is the first line of defense. Ensure that employees receive consistent training about insider threats, social engineering, phishing and password hygiene. According to Forbes, a solid training program can slash cybersecurity risks from a terrifying 60% to as low as 10%.
- Implement an anti-phishing solution: Phishing remains one of the most common attack vectors for cybercriminals. Deploying an advanced anti-phishing solution is a smart way to block phishing emails before they even reach the inbox, preventing malware from gaining a foothold in ICS.
- Leverage isolation: Industrial control systems should be isolated from IT networks using network segmentation, firewalls and intrusion detection systems.
- Don’t overlook regular patching and updates: Many cyberattacks exploit known vulnerabilities in outdated systems, so it’s crucial to apply security patches as soon as they become available.
- Deploy MFA: Utilizing multifactor authentication (MFA) across all systems ensures that even if an employee’s credentials are stolen, an attacker cannot easily access sensitive systems.
- Make and test incident response plans: In the event of an incident, a formal incident response plan is crucial for quick recovery. Create specialized plans for specific threats, like ransomware, and conduct regular drills to test the plan and ensure all roles are clear.
- Automate backups: Automatically back up critical data and ICS configurations. In the event of a cyberattack, being able to restore systems from a secure backup can reduce downtime and mitigate the impact of an attack.
Defending ICS is about more than just protecting a company’s operations; it’s also about protecting public safety. By implementing a strong defense strategy, IT professionals can help secure critical ICS for everyone.
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