Month: October 2024

The Top 5 Threats to Operational Technology and How to Protect Yourself From Them

Operational Technology (OT) is something of a broad term, encompassing all kinds of hardware and software. In short, OT refers to technology that interacts with physical devices, and is used in everything from manufacturing plants to utilities and transportation systems. With digital transformation reshaping industries, OT security is increasingly important for critical infrastructure. Unfortunately, with these systems becoming interconnected, they’re also more vulnerable to cyber threats. Understanding these risks and how to defend your network is vital for safeguarding critical infrastructure. That’s why we’ve identified five of the most common threats facing OT environments – and how to mitigate these risks.

Ransomware Attacks

Ransomware attacks have been on the rise over the past few years, and show no sign of slowing down. The cyber security company Rapid7 revealed that it had tracked over 2,500 ransomware attacks in the first half of the year. It’s become one of the most dangerous threats to OT environments. This is because ransomware is capable of crippling operations. The criminals behind these attacks can encrypt critical data, and demand payments of $2 million (€1.85 million), on average, for the release of the data.

Not only do these attacks stop production and operations, but they also disrupt supply chains, and can lead to significant financial losses. To tackle this threat, organisations must implement a robust backup strategy. An incident response plan specifically designed for OT environments is essential. This should outline roles of employees, communication protocols, and recovery procedures in the event of an attack. Employee education is key, as phishing emails can be a common entry point for ransomware. Training staff to both recognise and report suspicious activity helps to prevent attacks before they can even occur.

Insider Threats

Any online environment – especially OT systems – is at risk of threats originating within the organisation. These insider threats can come from either malicious insiders or careless employees making mistakes. Both of these have the potential to compromise your systems, and it doesn’t make a difference if the insider threat is an accident or deliberate sabotage. These actions can cause serious security incidents, including data breaches and operational downtime. 

At Infosec K2K, we recommend businesses implement strict access controls. By using IAM solutions, you make sure your employees can only access the data and systems required for their roles. Continuous monitoring of users’ activity can also help to detect unusual behaviour – and stop threats before they escalate. Cultivating a strong culture of security at your business is equally important. With regular training, your employees will feel more comfortable reporting any suspicious activity. This is key when it comes to maintaining secure OT systems.

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities

The increasing reliance of OT systems on third-party vendors and suppliers can significantly increase the risk of supply chain vulnerabilities. Supply chain attacks are on the rise around the world, and it’s OT systems and critical infrastructure that are particularly at risk. Research by SecurityScorecard and KPMG recently revealed that last year, 45% of breaches in the US energy sector were related to supply chain attacks. Compromised hardware or software from third-party vendors can introduce malware into your OT environment, creating potential entry points for attackers. 

It’s vital that businesses conduct vendor risk assessments. As well as evaluating the security of third-party suppliers, you should also check they comply with industry standards and best practices. We also advise implementing network segmentation. By isolating OT networks from other networks (like corporate IT systems), you can prevent attackers from exploiting third-party connections and gaining access.

Legacy Systems

Legacy systems and outdated software can leave OT environments vulnerable. If your system lacks up-to-date security features, you won’t be able to defend yourself against the latest cyber threats. OT systems are often old, and weren’t built to withstand the sophisticated attacks that modern hackers employ. This makes them prime targets for exploitation. 

Organisations should conduct regular security assessments. Our security assurance services, which include penetration testing and vulnerability management, can find weaknesses in your legacy systems. Investing in upgrades wherever possible is crucial, and you should replace unsupported software or hardware. If immediate upgrades aren’t feasible, virtual patching solutions can address vulnerabilities in legacy systems. However, this just offers temporary protection.

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks

DDoS attacks aim to overwhelm OT systems with a flood of traffic, rendering them unavailable. These attacks can disrupt operations, impact service delivery, and even damage equipment. Recent research by Stormwall showed that the number of DDoS attacks around the world rose by 102% in the first half of this year. To protect against DDoS attacks, we advise implementing traffic filtering solutions. These can detect and block malicious traffic before they reach your OT systems.

Establishing redundancy in critical systems can also effectively distribute traffic across multiple servers, reducing the impact of a DDoS attack. It’s also important to incorporate specific protocols for DDoS incidents into your incident response plan. You should regularly test and refine this plan through simulations.

Safeguarding Your OT Systems

The threats to OT environments are evolving, and organisations must be proactive when defending themselves. At Infosec K2K, we provide comprehensive OT security solutions. Our experts can assess your current defences, develop tailored strategies, and ensure your systems are resilient against cyber threats. By integrating security into your processes, we help businesses protect their assets while also enhancing their efficiency.

Investing in OT security is not just a regulatory obligation – it’s a vital part of any business strategy. As threats evolve, so too must your defences. With the right tools – and a trusted partner like Infosec K2K – businesses can navigate the complex landscape of operational technology security with confidence.

Whatever solution you’re looking for, we can help. The experts at Infosec K2K can offer you specialist guidance, and help you find the product that’s the best fit for you.

Get in touch with us to find out more about how we can help you.

Why Removing Local Admin Rights Is Key to Strengthening Your Cyber Security

The principle of least privilege has become a cornerstone of cyber security in recent years, and one of the key ways that organisations protect their assets from online threats. Despite this, and despite the risks associated with local admin rights, many businesses haven’t eliminated local admin rights completely. A recent whitepaper from our partners at CyberArk looks into why no user in your organisation should have local admin rights – read on as we explain why today’s businesses should be reassessing their approach to user permissions.

The Risks of Local Admin Rights

Local admin rights give users unparalleled control over their systems. With local admin rights, a user can do everything from accessing every user’s data to installing software. Although this may seem useful at first, it unfortunately raises a whole host of potential vulnerabilities. With the help of these privileges, users could disable security measures if they wanted to, paving the way for malware or data breaches. Their ability to install software, change network settings, and access other users’ credentials could give malicious actors plenty of opportunities to exploit any weaknesses.

The whitepaper from CyberArk goes into more detail, exploring scenarios where unrestricted admin rights don’t just allow unauthorised access, but also help criminals steal sensitive data and manipulate security protocols. Clearly, local admin rights are a double-edged sword. Although they help security professionals to be more productive and efficient, they also expose businesses to substantial cyber security risks at the same time.

Implementing Least Privilege Access

Essentially, the concept of least privilege access restricts user permissions, meaning they can only access files that are necessary for their specific roles and responsibilities. By removing local admin rights for every employee, organisations could significantly reduce the threat surface available to potential attackers. This approach would ensure that users can operate within clearly defined boundaries, minimising the impact of malicious actions (whether accidental or intentional) on the security of their data.

Some people might argue that revoking local admin rights could hinder the operational efficiency of their business – particularly for roles like helpdesk staff, developers, or system administrators. These roles often require elevated privileges to perform their duties effectively. However, CyberArk’s whitepaper argues that they don’t need local admin rights, and that these privileges are frequently unnecessary for routine tasks. Instead, adopting role-specific access controls would allow organisations to tailor permissions precisely to user needs without needing to compromise on security.

Practical Steps Toward Enhanced Security

Transitioning away from widespread local admin rights and enforcing the principle of least privilege requires a careful and strategic approach. One key step would be implementing Role-Based Access Control (RBAC). This defines users’ permission levels, and tailors them to their specific job functions. It would ensure that only the designated employees tasked with system configuration and maintenance are granted administrative privileges. Security protocols should also be standardised across all endpoints, removing local admin rights and reducing the risk of unauthorised access.

Equally important is cultivating a security-conscious culture across your company – either through user education or continuous monitoring of your network. Educating employees about the dangers of unrestricted administrative access and encouraging them to follow security policies can promote a stronger defence posture in your organisation. What’s more, using robust monitoring solutions and tools can help you to detect unauthorised activities and potential security breaches in real-time. Not all businesses have the resources to monitor their networks around the clock, which is where Infosec K2K comes in. With our Managed Security Operations Centre (SOC) services, we offer businesses of all sizes 24/7 protection. The threat landscape is constantly evolving, and we help businesses stay ahead, regularly reviewing and refining their access controls to ensure they remain effective.

Balancing Your Access and Cyber Security Needs

While local admin rights might seem necessary for some operational functions, their unrestricted use can pose significant risks. By adopting a least privilege access model, organisations not only improve their defence against cyber threats, but also foster a more responsible culture across their business. CyberArk’s findings underscore the importance of businesses proactively assessing their access control strategies, and prioritising security without compromising productivity.

Modern organisations have to navigate a complex landscape of cyber threats. The decision to remove local admin rights is not just a careful security measure, but a vital step toward safeguarding your most valuable assets and maintaining operational continuity. By embracing role-specific access controls, you can fortify your cyber defences against the latest threats, and at the same time, help your employees to perform their roles more effectively – and more securely.

Whatever solution you’re looking for, we can help. The experts at Infosec K2K can offer you specialist guidance, and help you find the product that’s the best fit for you.

Get in touch with us to find out more about how we can help you.