Industry 4.0 in danger: Cyber ​​risks threaten our companies!

Industry 4.0 in danger: Cyber ​​risks threaten our companies!

In today's increasingly networked world, securing industrial systems has become a hot topic. Against the background of growing cyber threats such as ransomware and insider attacks, companies have to develop innovative approaches to protect their operational technology (OT). A mature OT cybersecurity program must concentrate on profound visibility, continuous risk assessment and a strong governance that is specially tailored to OT environments. Loud Industrialcyber.co However, many industrial companies are difficult to transition to modern security strategies.

An often neglected aspect are the challenges associated with the fusion of IT and OT security. These two areas not only have different goals, but also orientations and technologies. IT focuses on data management and information flow, while OT focuses on the control of physical processes in industry. These different priorities require a sensitive approach to integrating both disciplines. ibm emphasizes that the cultural tensions between IT security experts and OT teams are an important hurdle to overcome effective security measures.

risk assessment as a key component

A central component of an effective OT cybersecurity program is the risk assessment. Companies must understand the infrastructure of their Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS), including data flows and possible weaknesses. This is where the methodology of Methodcysec.com that recommends developing risk profiles for each zone and the level of critical levels based on possible consequences in the event of a compromise to define. Worst-case scenarios must be clearly defined to effectively manage the risks.

research has shown that many companies still rely on outdated risk models that are not suitable for modern threats. Companies without a clear regulatory framework, such as the COMAH, should consider alternative risk indicators that, among other things, take into account business continuity and reputation. The inclusion of various specialist areas-from IACS managers to process engineers-is crucial for a comprehensive risk assessment.

The change in responsibility

Another important trend in the OT cybersecurity area is the change in responsibilities. While previously plans to be planning for security, responsibility increasingly moves to Chief Information Security Officers (CISOS) and central security teams. This can be challenging, especially in environments in which downtime is not tolerated. Many CISOS are not sufficiently prepared for the technical and cultural challenges of OT cybersecurity.

The effective securing of OT systems not only requires a technical strategy, but also a good knack for cultural changes in order to bridge the gap between operating processes and cyber security. Committed cooperation with OEMS and system integrators plays an important role here and the communication of the cyber strategy to the suppliers is essential for successful implementation.

It is obvious that organizations that want to be successful in OT security have to invest in a mature cybersecurity strategy that takes into account both technical and cultural aspects. The use of security framework such as Nist or IEC 62443 can help companies really improve their OT security strategy and to prepare themselves against modern threats.

Overall, the colonial challenge that exists between IT and OT security cultures cannot be overlooked. The willingness to look outside the box can not only close security gaps along this interface, but also increase the efficiency and reliability of industrial processes. At a time when cyber attacks determine the headlines, this is not just a necessity, but an entrepreneurial responsibility.