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Bridging the Gap Between IT and OT Security Teams

Traditionally, IT (information technology) and OT (operational technology) security teams have operated separately within organisations. The two teams often have their own set of priorities and tools, tailored to IT and OT networks. However, as cyber security continues to evolve, and cyber threats grow more sophisticated, the lines between IT and OT security are beginning to blur. There are new threats to watch out for, and today’s organisations need to embrace a security strategy that bridges the gap between IT and OT security.

The Need for Collaboration

In the past, IT teams have been concentrating on protecting data, networks, and digital systems. OT teams, on the other hand, have focused on ensuring physical devices and industrial control systems are operating safely. Over the past few years, however, things have changed. The rise of IoT, automation, and digital transformation has meant that modern OT systems are becoming increasingly connected to IT systems. This has opened up businesses to more vulnerabilities, and exposed them to more risks – criminals are now targeting IT and OT systems at the same time.

The need for a close relationship between IT and OT teams is clear – a breach in an IT network could easily spread to OT systems, disrupting critical operations and causing financial and operational damage. At the same time, a successful attack on OT systems could give criminals a way into IT systems that would have otherwise been completely secure.

What Are The Challenges?

While the risks of a more siloed approach are clear, there are a number of challenges preventing IT and OT security teams from working together. For a start, the two teams have long had different priorities. While IT security mainly focuses on keeping data safe, accurate, and accessible, OT security is more concerned with making sure that physical systems are running safely, reliably, and efficiently. When it comes to OT environments, keeping systems up and running is crucial, as downtime can be expensive – or dangerous.

Since these teams have different priorities, this has led to different security approaches. IT security teams concentrate on protecting software and networks using tools like firewalls, encryption, and antivirus programs. They will always try to use the latest tools and make sure that everything is patched and as up-to-date as possible. OT security teams, on the other hand, keep industrial systems running safely by using specialised protocols like SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) and PLC (Programmable Logic Controllers) to monitor and control equipment. Many OT systems rely on legacy technology, which may not work well with more modern IT security tools.

If OT systems are integrated with IT infrastructure, then the risks of cyber threats spreading between the two can be amplified. For instance, a successful phishing attack on an employee’s workstation could give the hacker access to sensitive data within the IT network, but it could also be an entry point to compromising the OT network. If security isn’t up to scratch, then integration turns into a vulnerability rather than a strength. To address these risks, businesses need to foster collaboration between IT and OT security teams, and there are a number of ways they can do this.

Establish Shared Objectives

The first step in bridging the gap between IT and OT security teams is to establish some common goals. Both teams share the responsibility of protecting the organization’s critical assets, whether that means safeguarding machinery or customer data. For example, IT and OT teams should work together to agree on what constitutes a ‘critical system’ in their organisation. While IT systems are important for handling data, OT systems control physical operations. As these systems are interconnected, teams need to coordinate their efforts to protect both and stop cyber attacks from spreading.

Implement Integrated Security Tools

Another effective strategy is to use integrated security tools that can offer visibility and protection across both IT and OT environments. Traditional IT security tools such as firewalls – while helpful – aren’t always suitable for protecting OT networks. Instead, organisations should invest in security solutions that are designed to protect all kinds of networks.

With centralised monitoring, threat detection, and incident response capabilities, an integrated SIEM system can protect both IT and OT systems. It can provide real-time alerts on any suspicious activity, so security teams can quickly identify and deal with potential threats. Businesses should also consider cyber security solutions that address the unique needs of OT environments, such as tools that can monitor SCADA systems.

Share Knowledge

To create a more unified security approach, IT and OT teams should educate each other. IT security professionals need to understand OT systems better – and at the same time, OT security experts should learn more about IT infrastructure and tools. Regular joint training sessions, workshops, and exercises can help to build trust and strengthen their working relationship. Forming a security team with members from both teams could also help to improve ongoing communication and coordination.

Develop Unified Incident Response Plans

A key step in closing the gap between IT and OT security teams is making sure that your business has a shared incident response plan. In the event of a cyber attack, both teams will need to work together to respond quickly and effectively. If you have a clear, well-practiced plan in place, this will help everyone understand their roles, reducing confusion and delays. By involving both teams in developing and implementing this plan, organisations can respond to threats quickly and efficiently.

The need for collaboration between IT and OT security teams is more important than ever. Cyber threats are no longer confined to just IT or OT systems, and businesses need a unified approach to their cyber security. Bridging the gap between your IT and OT security teams isn’t just best practice – it ensures your digital and physical assets are as protected as possible.

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.

SIEM’s Role in Modern Security Management

Modern businesses have to put up with an onslaught of cyber security challenges every day – whether they’re facing increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks or making sure they’re keeping up with new regulatory requirements. In order to manage security risks, organisations need tools that can give them real-time visibility of their network, as well as threat detection and response capabilities. That’s where Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) helps. In recent years, SIEM systems have grown to become an indispensable part of modern cyber security, helping firms to monitor and respond to new threats more efficiently than ever before.

The Evolution of SIEM

SIEM solutions have evolved significantly since the early 2000s, when they were first used. At first, SIEM systems were designed simply to collect and store security logs from various sources, which was mainly for compliance purposes. However, as cyber threats became more and more complex, SIEM platforms expanded their capabilities, giving users abilities such real-time threat detection, analytics, and even automation to help security teams respond quickly and effectively to any threats.

Modern SIEM solutions now make use of machine learning, behavioural analytics, and AI to find anomalies and deal with potential threats before they escalate. Instead of simply collecting logs, today’s SIEM tools correlate data from multiple sources, apply threat intelligence, and give users actionable insights, helping organisations to deal with threats in real-time.

Threat Detection and Visibility

SIEM systems play a key role in enhanced threat detection and response. They allow businesses to monitor security incidents in real time, across firewalls, endpoints, cloud services, and more. By identifying suspicious patterns, SIEM systems help to detect potential breaches, insider threats, and other cyber risks. Whenever a threat is identified, SIEM can automatically trigger alerts, prioritise risks, and even initiate incident response actions, reducing the time it can normally take to detect and contain cyber threats.

Another advantage of SIEM is its ability to give users more visibility across different environments – something especially important as organisations rely on cloud services, remote work solutions, IoT devices and more to do their business. With a centralised security dashboard, SIEM systems allows businesses to monitor activity across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments – all in one unified view. This level of visibility helps security teams quickly identify vulnerabilities, detect anomalies, and respond proactively to any threats they might find.

Enhancing Compliance and Visibility with SIEM

These days, businesses in all kinds of industries and sectors need to adhere to strict regulatory requirements such as GDPR, NIS2, and the EU’s AI Act. SIEM systems make it easier to comply with these by automating log collection, storing data, securely, and generating detailed reports. With the help of built-in reporting and forensic analysis capabilities, businesses can avoid legal penalties, pass audits, and protect their reputation as well as their data.

SIEM systems also incident response through automation. With the help of Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) tools, businesses can handle security incidents efficiently. By automating tasks such as blocking malicious IPs, SIEM can reduce response times and make things easier for cybersecurity teams. By adding threat intelligence platforms like DomainTools to your SIEM, you can connect security events with real-time data from across your network, making it easier to spot potential risks faster, and cut down on false alarms.

Infosec K2K’s Commitment to Seamless Security

Here at Infosec K2K, we’ve partnered with leading cyber security providers to offer our clients the best tools to protect their digital assets. LevelBlue offers advanced SIEM solutions. Their scalable, cloud-based security monitoring adapts to businesses’ growing needs, while their AI-powered analytics accurately detect cyber threats. They also offer seamless integration of third-party tools, offering you expert insights and a faster response to incidents – all from a centralised platform.

Infosec K2K also works with DomainTools, a leader in threat intelligence. By integrating DomainTools with your SIEM systems, you can get access to real-time domain reputation scoring, and detect and block malicious domains before they can become a threat. Their threat intelligence, meanwhile, improves the accuracy of SIEM alerts and reduces the number of false alerts. By combining SIEM with external threat intelligence, your business will be more proactive and stay ahead of cyber risks.

Why SIEM is Essential for Today’s Businesses

With cyber threats becoming more advanced all the time, businesses can’t afford to rely on reactive security measures. SIEM systems, on the other hand, provide a more proactive approach, helping organisations detect threats early on and respond to them before attackers cause damage. With continuous monitoring and automated response, businesses can reduce security risks while getting full visibility into cyber security incidents across their network. 

Modern SIEM solutions and cyber security tools – like those from LevelBlue and DomainTools – offer advanced threat detection, real-time visibility, and automated incident response, helping businesses stay ahead of cyber threats and streamline their cyber defences. By investing in the right tools, businesses can strengthen their defences, protect their data, and minimize the impact of cyber incidents. For businesses looking to enhance their security, Infosec K2K can offer expert guidance on selecting and using the right SIEM and threat intelligence solutions.

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 Secure Business Application Onboarding and Integration is Critical

Business applications have become the backbone of modern businesses, not only helping them to be more efficient and more productive, but also to encourage collaboration and innovation among their employees. However, with many organisations increasingly relying on these tools, it’s more and more important that firms ensure the secure onboarding and integration of these applications. This is paramount, as it protects businesses from cyber threats and also ensures that they’re complying with ever-evolving regulations.

The Role of Business Applications

From customer relationship management (CRM) systems to enterprise resource planning (ERP) tools, these applications handle vast amounts of sensitive data. After all, they’re helping with everything from streamlining operations, making communication between employees and different departments easier, and even helping with decision-making. However, each new application that is integrated into your organisation’s ecosystem can also introduce a host of new vulnerabilities if it hasn’t been properly secured.

Why Secure Onboarding and Integration is Vital

The secure onboarding and integration of business applications is critical for several reasons. For a start, cyber criminals will often target new or poorly integrated business applications, seeing them as potential entry points into an organisation’s network. If businesses don’t implement robust security measures like IAM, then they’re more likely to be hit by data breaches.

There are also a number of cyber security regulations, like GDPR and NIS2, that require strong data protection measures. The secure integration of business applications ensures compliance with these regulations – not only does this secure data, but it helps businesses to avoid legal and financial penalties, and protect their reputation. Secure onboarding also helps to keep your business running, preventing any disruptions caused by security incidents and ensuring that your day-to-day operations are uninterrupted.

Establishing a Secure Foundation

In order to build a secure foundation for business applications, organisations should be conducting security assessments before they even think about integrating any applications. This way, they can identify any potential vulnerabilities before they can pose any threat to your business. With the help of Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions, like the kind we offer here at Infosec K2K, you can guarantee that only users who you’ve authorised are able to access specific business applications or files.

We also recommend continuous monitoring – with 24/7 monitoring from a managed SOC (Security Operations Centre), you can detect any threats in real-time. Employee training is also crucial – after all, 74% of data breaches are the result of human error. Educating your staff about security protocols – and best practices when it comes to using and onboarding new business applications – is the best way to prevent any human error from compromising your own cyber security.

Streamline Security With Our Factory-style Approach

By adopting a streamlined approach to application onboarding, you can improve your productivity while improving your cyber security. By implementing standardised procedures across your business, you can ensure consistency and reduce the likelihood of security oversights. A well-defined business application onboarding framework helps to eliminate any gaps that might exist in your security, and also ensures that every new application will follow the same structured and secure integration process. With automation tools to handle repetitive tasks, you can also minimise human error throughout the process, as well as save time. We also recommend conducting regular audits, both on your cyber defences and on your onboarding process, to assess how effective it is. With regular assessments like this, you can identify weaknesses, make any changes that are needed, and ensure you’re complying with security regulations.

Here at Infosec K2K, we understand the many challenges that today’s organisations face when they’re integrating new business applications. With our end-to-end management, however, we’ll take care of those challenges for you. Our team of experts will ensure the entire process is handled seamlessly, from creating a bespoke onboarding plan to conducting thorough regulatory compliance checks. We’ll eliminate vulnerabilities from day one, and ensure all of your applications are integrated safely and efficiently. What’s more, we’ll make sure you’re up to date with the latest industry regulations, so you can stay compliant and secure throughout the onboarding process and afterwards.

Tips for Evaluating Application Security

If you’re looking to improve your application security, there are several steps we can recommend. By maintaining an up-to-date inventory of all the applications your business uses (including their purpose and whatever access levels there might be), you can have more visibility into your digital environment. Evaluating the security of any vendors is essential, as you must ensure that third-party applications meet your security standards. Regularly updating applications, and patching any vulnerabilities, prevents any threat actors from exploiting them. Finally, developing a clear incident response plan ensures you can take swift action to any incidents, minimising the damage they might cause.

Business applications continue to play a crucial role in modern businesses, and securing their onboarding and integration is more important than ever. By establishing a secure foundation and streamlining processes, you can protect your business from cyber threats, ensure regulatory compliance, and be more productive. Our factory-style approach helps improve your cyber defences and provide peace of mind – something increasingly important in today’s cyber security landscape.

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.

How Identity Management Can Protect You From Supply Chain Attacks

Today’s businesses are facing a rising tide of supply chain attacks. In recent years, they’ve become one of the most pressing concerns for organisations in all industries. Criminals are increasingly targeting vulnerabilities in third-party systems. Once they’re in, they’re able to bypass security measures and infiltrate businesses’ networks. It’s more important than ever to use advanced cyber security solutions, and Identity and Access Management (IAM) has emerged as a critical line of defence.

The Rise of Supply Chain Attacks

As businesses have become more and more interconnected, their attack surface has grown, and cyber criminals have been quick to exploit this. An attack on just one third-party supplier can have dire effects on businesses up and down the supply chain, causing operational, financial, and reputational damage to dozens of businesses – if not more. According to a report last year, 90% of attacks on energy companies that had been breached more than once involved supply chain attacks on third parties.

Cyber criminals are targeting smaller businesses as these will often lack sophisticated cyber defences. Once in, they use these as a gateway to bigger, more secure organisations. Probably the most high-profile example of a supply chain attack was the SolarWinds incident in 2020. SolarWinds, a provider of network management software, was hit by a cyber attack that affected businesses and government agencies around the world. Malicious actors were able to infiltrate SolarWinds’ software update mechanism, which gave them access to the networks of over 18,000 customers. One of the biggest impacts of the attack was financial – on average, the attack cost companies 11% of their annual revenue.

Strengthening Supply Chain Security With IAM

Put simply, IAM plays a key role in reducing the risk of supply chain attacks, as it ensures that only authorised individuals or systems have access to your network and resources. IAM is a framework that includes policies, tools, and technologies, all of which are used to manage identities and control who can access your network. By protecting the authentication process this way, and restricting users’ access based on roles, businesses can deal with vulnerabilities that could otherwise be exploited by criminals lurking in the supply chain.

One of the main benefits of IAM is strong authentication processes, which are particularly useful in preventing supply chain attacks. Many breaches are caused by attackers gaining access through compromised or weak credentials. Google Cloud’s 2023 Threat Horizons Report, for example, revealed that 86% of data breaches involve stolen credentials, Multi-factor authentication requires multiple forms of identity verification, which significantly reduces the chance of anyone gaining unauthorised access. Even if a criminal manages to steal credentials, they will still face obstacles to accessing your network.

Managing third-party access is another element of IAM that helps to reduce supply chain risks. Third-party vendors and contractors are the most common source of vulnerabilities, because of  poorly managed or excessive access privileges. By adhering to the principle of least privilege, IAM systems ensure users only have the minimum access required for their tasks. IAM solutions can also be used to implement role-based access control (RBAC) and time-bound access – these ensure that users only have permissions when absolutely necessary. Their access can also be automatically revoked after a set period, minimising the risk of unauthorised access.

The Broader Benefits of IAM

Of course, IAM isn’t only useful for stopping supply chain attacks. In fact, a strong IAM solution – like those that we offer here at Infosec K2K – has several other benefits. Firstly, it improves user experience by streamlining authentication processes and offering single sign-on (SSO) capabilities. This allows employees and partners to access necessary systems easily and securely. IAM also supports regulatory compliance by ensuring robust access controls and maintaining audit trails, helping businesses meet the requirements of data protection laws like GDPR, as well as newer ones like NIS2. IAM also helps businesses save money by automating access management, reducing operational expenses, and minimising the financial risks associated with security breaches. Here at IAM, we help firms save more money with our flexible pay-as-you-go model.

We specialise in IAM solutions designed to protect businesses from the growing threat of supply chain attacks. Our services have been tailored to meet the unique needs of businesses of all sizes, and our customisable IAM solutions can be integrated seamlessly with your existing infrastructure. Along with our partners, which include LevelBlue and CyberArk, we offer real-time monitoring and analytics to detect suspicious activity in your network, while our expertise in regulatory compliance helps you meet data protection laws, minimising any legal and operational risks.

Supply chain attacks show no sign of stopping, as cyber criminals look to exploit the vulnerabilities of interconnected systems. However, with the help of a robust IAM strategy, businesses can secure their access points, protect themselves, third-party risks, and safeguard critical systems from unauthorised access.

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.

The Top Cyber Security Trends for 2025: What Businesses Need to Know

The cyber security landscape is growing more and more complex every year, with new threats to watch out for and new ways of protecting your assets. Each year, organisations are left scrambling to protect their most sensitive data, keep their operational technology (OT) running, and keep their customers’ trust. In 2025, these challenges aren’t going away. Thanks to advances in technology, it can be hard for businesses to keep up. That’s why we’ve decided to help, and have rounded up the top cyber security trends for 2025 that we think every firm needs to know about.

The Downsides of AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the cyber security landscape, but it’s not all good news – it’s more of a double-edged sword. On one hand, it makes it easier than ever for businesses to find and deal with threats before they can do any damage. Since AI tools are able to analyse vast amounts of data in real time, they can detect anomalies, and respond faster than humans can. However, this technology is also being weaponised by cyber criminals, and helping them to launch sophisticated attacks.

This means the stakes are higher than ever for today’s businesses. An AI system that hasn’t been configured properly could leave you vulnerable. At the same time, failing to adopt AI solutions could leave your organisation vulnerable to sophisticated attacks. In a recent episode of our podcast, The Keys 2 Your Digital Kingdom, we discussed the impact of AI on IAM, as well as the risks it poses. If you missed it, you can listen here, and hear how industry leaders are addressing the challenges of AI and using it to boost their defences. With the help of our partners like LevelBlue, we help businesses use AI securely, offering threat detection tools that can be securely integrated into your network.

Rising Threats to Supply Chain Security

As businesses all over the world have become more interconnected, supply chains are now prime targets for cyber criminals. Just last year, 38% of UK businesses faced month-long recoveries after being hit by supply chain attacks. A single vulnerability in a supplier’s system can give attackers a backdoor into dozens of organisations, up and down the supply chain. When the supply chain company Blue Yonder was hit by a ransomware attack in 2024, it affected companies including Starbucks and Morrisons. 

One of the key cyber security trends for 2025 is the growing number of sophisticated supply chain attacks. Organisations need to take a closer look at the cyber security practices of their suppliers, implement third-party risk management policies, and maintain visibility across their entire supply chain. At Infosec K2K, our risk assessments and vulnerability management services help businesses to proactively address any weaknesses they might have in their network.

Tightening Cyber Security Regulations

Governments around the world will be stepping up their data protection laws – and while this is good for consumers, it’s set to create a more challenging regulatory environment for businesses. From new regulations in Asia to increased scrutiny globally, organisations can expect stricter compliance requirements when it comes to cyber security. The US is considering a federal privacy law, the EU’s NIS2 took effect last October, and last year the UK introduced the Data (Use and Access) Bill. 

Integrating existing regional and local data regulations such as GDPR into your cyber security strategies is no longer optional. What’s more, though, businesses must also prepare for new regulations that are set to become legally binding later this year. One such regulation is the EU’s AI Act, which aims to regulate AI usage and address concerns about data misuse. Here at Infosec K2K, we help businesses navigate this complex landscape with our audit and compliance services and regulatory guidance to meet the demands of evolving cyber security laws. With our business application onboarding and integration, we’ll also ensure your digital environment complies with all regulations.

User Verification Challenges

With many data breaches stemming from compromised credentials, user verification is now a cornerstone of cybersecurity. This isn’t always the result of a hack – recent research by Verizon found that 68% of breaches of breaches were caused by human error, or by people falling for a phishing scam. However, finding the right balance between strong authentication measures and usability can be challenging. While MFA is now standard practice for many businesses, criminals have already found ways of bypassing these measures.

In 2025, it will be harder than ever to figure out if a user is legitimate or a criminal. Malicious actors have created bots that mimic human actions – clicking, scrolling, and even typing – making them difficult to detect. Emerging technologies like biometric authentication and behavioral analytics are gaining traction as solutions to these challenges. In 2025, businesses will need to navigate concerns around privacy, accessibility, and implementation costs. Our IAM solutions are designed to help organisations take control of user verification, enabling secure access without compromising on user experience.

Preparing for the Future

Dealing with today’s cybersecurity landscape requires a proactive approach, and here at Infosec K2K we offer a suite of services to help businesses address emerging threats. From customised IAM solutions to OT security expertise, we deliver tailored strategies for organisations of all sizes. 

The cyber security trends of 2025 demand constant vigilance and a willingness to adapt. Cyber security is always changing, and businesses that fail to keep up with these changes risk not only financial losses but also damaging their reputation – and regulatory penalties. By partnering with a company like Infosec K2K, you can confidently face the challenges ahead, protect your most sensitive data, and maintain regulatory compliance at the same time.

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.

Wrapping Up 2024: The Year’s Biggest Cyber Security Breaches and What We Learned

As the year draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to look back on the current cyber security landscape. The past year brought us a number of headline-grabbing cyber incidents, from data breaches to service outages. These incidents highlight how cyber threats are continuing to affect businesses of all sizes, in every sector. In this blog, we’ll reflect on some of the biggest cyber security stories of 2024, look at what went wrong, and explore how to strengthen your defences in 2025.

CrowdStrike Outage

This dramatic incident in July was one of the biggest cyber security stories of 2024, sending shockwaves around the world. CrowdStrike, a leading endpoint protection provider, experienced a major service outage in the early hours of the 19th July. The issue was caused by an unanticipated flaw in the deployment of a system update. This caused widespread disruption for the customers relying on CrowdStrike’s cloud-based threat intelligence and monitoring capabilities. It’s estimated that 8.5 million Windows devices were affected by the incident, causing havoc in airports, hospitals, supermarkets, and more.

The root cause of the incident was insufficient testing of the system update under real-world conditions. This, coupled with a lack of redundancies in critical areas, allowed the failure to disrupt businesses around the world. To prevent incidents like this happening in your own organisation, we advise organisations to rigorously stress-test updates – including in live environments – to ensure smooth implementation of the updates. It’s important to build resilient networks with fail-safe mechanisms and robust backup systems. This helps maintain the continuity of your operations whenever you uninstall an update.

Snowflake Data Breach

Snowflake, the cloud-based data storage company, faced an unprecedented data breach that hit the headlines earlier this year. A misconfigured access control in one of their cloud storage systems allowed unauthorised parties to access their systems. The team didn’t catch this oversight in time, allowing the attackers to steal sensitive client data, including financial records and proprietary information. Some of the businesses affected included Santander, Neiman Marcus Group, and Ticketmaster. Around 560 million Ticketmaster customers had their data stolen.

This breach shows the importance of understanding the cloud security shared responsibility model. Although cloud providers will secure their infrastructure, users are in turn responsible for securing their own data and configurations. To prevent similar incidents, we recommend businesses employ automated tools to continuously monitor their networks for misconfigurations and anomalies within cloud environments. This way, you can ensure the quick detection and mitigation of any potential vulnerabilities.

Blue Yonder Ransomware

Blue Yonder, one of the world’s leading supply chain software providers, was hit by a ransomware attack in November. The incident caused widespread disruption to its operations and impacted major retailers in the US and the UK. The attack, which targeted Blue Yonder’s managed services hosted environment, severely disrupted the supply chains of companies including Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, and Starbucks. The attack highlighted the vulnerabilities of the supply chain sector – although some companies like Tesco and DHL weren’t impacted, others such as Morrisons had to rely on backup systems to maintain operations.

For businesses, this attack underscores the importance of developing strong cyber resilience strategies. Organisations must ensure that their supply chain partners have robust cyber security measures in place. Any vulnerability can have knock-on effects, leading to significant disruptions up and down the supply chain. Businesses should also prioritise implementing backup systems that can be activated in case of a cyber incident – the regular testing and updating of these systems is essential in order to minimise downtime.

Lessons for 2025 – and Beyond

Reflecting on the cyber security stories of 2024, they offer a number of lessons for businesses looking to boost their security. One key takeaway is the importance of proactive threat hunting. Rather than waiting for an attack to happen, companies should conduct regular penetration testing and threat-hunting exercises to identify vulnerabilities before cybercriminals exploit them. Something else to consider is adopting a zero trust architecture, where every entity, whether internal or external, is assumed to be potentially compromised. This approach limits the damage that can occur in the event of a breach. 

Using AI and automated tools can also play a key role in enhancing your cyber security. These tools can analyse threats in real time and respond autonomously. They can also reduce the time it takes to detect a threat and stop it in its tracks. By adopting these strategies, businesses can build a more resilient cyber security posture and prepare themselves for the challenges ahead.

As the past 12 months show, no sector or business is immune to cyber attacks. From the disruption caused by CrowdStrike to cloud security breaches and ransomware attacks, these incidents show there are vulnerabilities to watch out for.

With 2025 fast approaching, the lessons learned from these incidents should serve as a guiding light for any business. We advise adopting a proactive and resilient approach to your cyber security strategy. This way, you can stay one step ahead of criminals, protecting your business – and your reputation – in the years to come.

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.

The Biggest OT Security Incidents of 2024: Lessons for Critical Infrastructure

Operational Technology systems, or OT systems, are crucial when it comes to managing critical infrastructure such as energy grids, transportation networks, and manufacturing plants. It’s no surprise then, that they’re a prime target for cyber criminals, and they faced unprecedented cyber threats in 2024. Criminals are increasingly targeting these systems and exploiting their vulnerabilities to disrupt essential services and demand ransoms. In this blog, we’ll be taking a closer look at some of the biggest OT security incidents of 2024, what caused them, and suggest how to ensure you’re protecting your critical infrastructure.

The Importance of OT Security

Operational Technology (OT) systems control physical processes that keep our society running – from keeping the electricity on to managing water treatment facilities, and keeping transportation networks operational. A successful attack on these kinds of systems can result in catastrophic consequences, including power outages and even deaths. Unlike other cyber security incidents, attacks on OT systems directly impact physical infrastructure. In February, it was reported that OT security incidents impacted 46% of organisations around the world – meaning that it’s a matter of national and global importance. Below are some of the major OT security incidents of the last twelve months.

Russian Sabotage of Water Facilities

Cyber attacks on Ukrainian critical infrastructure helped pave the way for Russia’s invasion in 2022. However, it was discovered this year that Russian-backed hackers have also been active in other countries. Earlier this year, Mandiant reported that Sandworm, a Russian military intelligence hacking group, was the likely culprit behind attacks on critical infrastructure in the USA, Poland, and France. The group targeted a water treatment facility in Texas, causing overflow but no service disruption. This was an escalation of Russian cyber activities, and was the first suspected Sandworm-linked attack on American soil. Although no damage was done, next time they could do much more damage.

American Water Hit by Cyber Attack

In October, American Water, the largest water and sanitation utilities company in the US, suffered a cyber attack. The business, which serves 14 million people across 24 states, reported no impact on water quality or distribution. However, customer portals and billing services were disrupted. Experts suspect that state-backed attackers were behind the incident. Despite this, their motives (and the true extent of any data stolen) remain unknown. Speaking about the attack, Sean Deuby from Semperis pointed out that, “One common thread across all these campaigns is the use of identity for initial access, propagation, privilege escalation and persistence. Organizations should prioritize protecting these mission-critical systems.”

Volt Typhoon Stepped Up Its Efforts

The Chinese state-sponsored hacking group known as Volt Typhoon has been linked to OT security breaches, cyber espionage, and the hacking of US critical infrastructure. In the past, it has infiltrated sectors such as communications, energy, transportation, and water. The group’s activities are intended to disrupt critical services during any potential tensions or conflicts between China and the US. In January, an American law enforcement operation disabled hundreds of compromised routers – however, in November, it was revealed that the group was up and running again.

What Can Make OT Systems Vulnerable?

Many OT systems rely on outdated hardware and software that simply wasn’t designed with cyber security in mind. These systems often lack basic features like encryption or access controls, making them easy targets for attackers. With the increasing integration of IT and OT networks, however, this vulnerability is getting worse. Integration improves efficiency, but it also expands the attack surface. Any breach in an IT network can now offer criminals a way into the less secure OT systems that previously wouldn’t have been connected to the internet. 

Compounding the issue is the limited awareness and training in many businesses. Staff lack expertise in OT security, and can accidentally expose these systems to threats by failing to recognise phishing attempts or ignoring security protocols. Poorly segmented networks can also allow attackers to move across systems, turning what would have been a minor breach into a major incident.

Lessons Learned for Securing Critical Infrastructure

With cyber threats growing ever more sophisticated, protecting OT environments has become a top priority – both to ensure uninterrupted services and protect people’s lives. At Infosec K2K, we recommend a comprehensive approach to OT security. Organisations should conduct comprehensive risk assessments of their OT environments to find any vulnerabilities. Regular evaluations, like the assessments we offer, can help to tackle risks before attackers can exploit them. 

Equally important is patching and updating software. Unpatched vulnerabilities are a common entry point for attackers. Security professionals should establish patch management protocols and ensure timely updates – even for legacy systems such as OT networks. Limiting access to OT systems through strict controls, MFA, and the principle of least privilege also helps reduce your exposure to attacks. Proper segmentation of IT and OT networks, and tools like firewalls and virtual LANs (VLANs), helps to contain data breaches.

The Road Ahead For OT Security

The consequences of ignoring cybersecurity in OT environments are too severe to overlook. Thankfully, while attacks are becoming more sophisticated, the strategies to counter them are also evolving. Investing in OT security shouldn’t be thought of as optional, but rather a key part of any organisation’s security strategy. Here at Infosec K2K, we understand securing OT systems isn’t just about protecting your data. It’s about ensuring the safety of our society.

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.

Securing Privileged Access: Best Practices for Managing High-Risk Accounts

Privileged accounts are the keys to any organisation’s critical systems, giving users access to sensitive data, administrative controls, and vital infrastructure. It’s no surprise, then, that because of the power of these accounts, they’re among the top targets for hackers and cyber criminals. Just one compromised privileged account could result in catastrophic breaches, leaving businesses with stolen data, damaged reputations, and significant financial losses. It’s vital that you protect these accounts, and in this blog, we’ll explore some of the best ways of securing privileged access – and protecting your digital assets.

Why Criminals Are After Privileged Access

Privileged accounts are a prime target for hackers and cyber criminals. Not only do they give users extensive access, they also give them control over an organisation’s critical systems, data, and infrastructure. These accounts, which are often used by administrators and IT personnel, are effectively the keys to the kingdom. With privileged access, users could modify configurations, access sensitive information, and execute high-level commands. If compromised, attackers can exploit this access to steal data, disrupt operations, or even deploy ransomware. The significance of these privileged accounts makes them a key target of cyber attacks, so robust security measures are needed to protect them. For any business looking to secure their privileged access, we recommend the below practices.

Implement the Principle of Least Privilege

The principle of least privilege is an approach to cyber security that ensures users, systems, and applications are only granted the permissions they need to perform their specific tasks –  nothing more, nothing less. By limiting access to only essential resources, businesses reduce their attack surface, making it harder than ever for hackers to exploit unnecessary privileges. For example, an employee working in your marketing department shouldn’t have access to IT infrastructure. Not only would they not need this access, but it could potentially open the door to unauthorised access or data manipulation. This principle also applies to applications and systems, as granting users too much privileges creates vulnerabilities that attackers will exploit if given the chance.

To implement the principle of least privilege, firms should follow key steps such as reviewing and auditing user roles and permissions to ensure they align with their current job functions. Default administrative rights should be removed from any accounts, particularly those not working in IT, to minimise potential risks. Role-based access controls can be used to assign permissions based on specific job responsibilities, ensuring that users only have access to the resources necessary for their tasks. It’s also important that you continuously monitor any changes to privileged accounts, and make sure that permissions are consistent with the user’s role and duties.

Use IAM and PAM Solutions

Identity and Access Management (IAM) and Privileged Access Management (PAM) are essential for any organisation looking to protect sensitive data and prevent unauthorised users from accessing their network. By implementing IAM, businesses can enforce strong authentication policies, role-based access control, and centralised identity management, all of which safeguard your digital infrastructure from potential breaches. As cyber threats continue to evolve, securing every access point to your network helps minimise the risk of cyber incidents.

PAM, on the other hand, focuses specifically on controlling and monitoring access to privileged accounts, which would give attackers complete control over a company’s network if compromised. With PAM, however, businesses can enforce stricter access controls, such as just-in-time access and session monitoring, and limit the potential impact of any breach. By combining IAM and PAM, meanwhile, businesses can establish a security framework that reduces the likelihood of unauthorised privileged access while also giving you better visibility and control of high-risk accounts.

Regularly Audit Your Privileged Accounts

Cyber criminals are constantly adapting and there are always new threats to be on the lookout for. Because of this, continuous auditing is essential. This way, you can ensure that your privileged accounts are being used properly and in accordance with security policies. Regular audits also help businesses to identify any vulnerabilities, detect unusual behavior, and ensure that they’re complying with regulations like NIS2, GDPR, and HIPAA. To conduct effective audits, businesses should schedule periodic reviews of privileged accounts to identify dormant or unnecessary ones, and monitor for anomalies such as access attempts during off-hours. At Infosec K2K, we recommend using automated tools to generate detailed reports on privileged access activities.

Foster a Culture of Security

Technology alone isn’t enough to secure privileged access – your employees are essential when it comes to maintaining security. By fostering a security-conscious culture, organisations can reduce the risk of human error and insider threats. This can be achieved by regularly training employees and educating them on the risks associated with privileged accounts, encouraging them to report any suspicious activity, and establishing clear policies for both managing and using privileged accounts. We also advise recognising and rewarding the employees who follow cyber security best practices, as this can further strengthen any organisation’s overall security posture.

Privileged accounts are a high-value target for cybercriminals, and keeping them secure requires a comprehensive and proactive approach. Best practices such as following the principle of least privilege, using IAM and PAM solutions, and regularly auditing any accounts with privileged access, organisations can reduce the risk of breaches. At the same time, a culture of security across your business is also essential. By staying vigilant and using the latest cyber security tools, you can protect your network and your data.

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.

Phishing Attacks in 2024: New Tactics and How to Stay Ahead

Over the past few years, phishing tactics have become even more sophisticated, and 2024 hasn’t seen cyber criminals show any sign of slowing down. This year, malicious actors have been taking advantage of technologies like AI and automation to fool their victims and break into networks. With attackers turning to new, more tailored approaches, today’s organisations need to stay aware of these evolving threats if they want to avoid falling victim to phishing attacks in 2024 – and beyond.

The Evolution of Phishing

Phishing has come a long way from the days of poorly worded emails and obvious scams. These days, attackers have embraced AI-powered tools with open arms. These allow them to craft highly convinced methods, and launch automated attacks at a greater scale than ever before. Although phishing attacks in 2024 are more believable than ever – there are some key tactics and methods that you should be watching out for.

AI-Generated Content

Criminals are increasingly turning to AI tools, such as language models and deepfake technology, to produce highly convincing messages. Thanks to generative AI, these emails and text messages can closely mimic the tone and appearance of legitimate communications, and victims are more likely to believe they’re reading something from a trusted source. Unlike traditional phishing messages, which can be easy to spot thanks to spelling mistakes or awkward phrases, these AI-generated messages are harder to spot. This makes it more likely that people will click on malicious links or download malware – research published this year showed that one in five people are likely to click on content in AI-written phishing emails.

Voice Phishing 

Voice phishing, otherwise known as ‘vishing,’ has evolved into a sophisticated threat in recent years. Attackers are now using deepfake audio – and even video – to impersonate people and trick their victims. By creating realistic audio clips that sound like trusted figures, they can manipulate employees into transferring funds or revealing sensitive information like passwords. This approach is incredibly effective because these messages sound convincing – even to people who’ve been trained to recognise phishing attempts like these. When employees hear from someone in authority, they’re more likely to feel pressured and so won’t question the message, which makes vishing a serious security risk to watch out for.

Spear Phishing 

Spear phishing is a more targeted form of phishing, in which attackers will hone in on high-value individuals, and will often use AI-powered tools to gather information about them. Instead of casting out a wide net and sending out generic emails to hundreds or thousands of people, attackers will instead conduct reconnaissance on their targets. They’ll scan their social media and professional networks in order to better understand their victims. This helps them craft personalised messages – which are often designed to look like urgent requests from colleagues or customers. These are harder for victims to identify as phishing messages because they seem legitimate, making it easier for attackers to deceive their targets.

Automated Phishing Bots

These bots can engage with targets in real time, making phishing attempts feel like genuine conversations. The bots are interactive and can respond to replies from targets, seeming more natural and building trust with the victim. By changing their language based on the victim’s answers, the phishing bots seem more realistic, and can manipulate unsuspecting users into accidentally revealing sensitive information. Since these bots have such a high level of personalisation and adaptability, they’re particularly dangerous – victims may not even realise they’re not interacting with a person.

The Impact of Recent Phishing Attacks in 2024

A number of recent phishing incidents have highlighted the need for heightened vigilance. For example, in February this year, the retailer Pepco Group lost €15.5 million in a business email compromise (BEC) attack, after criminals used social engineering to trick employees into transferring funds. As well as using AI tools, cyber criminals have also been impersonating AI companies – in October, researchers uncovered a large-scale campaign targeting OpenAI’s customers. They sent out over a thousand emails that had been designed to mimic OpenAI’s, and were urgently requesting payment information.

Just this month, researchers at Check Point discovered a new phishing campaign they’ve dubbed CopyRh(ight)adamantys. The attackers have been impersonating legitimate companies, and claiming the victims have violated copyright on social media. The campaign, which has targeted multiple industries around the world, uses spear-phishing emails and automated tools to generate the phishing content. Incidents like these show how varied phishing attacks in 2024 can be, as well as the need for more robust cyber security measures.

Staying Ahead of Phishing Attacks

To stay ahead of phishing attacks in 2024, businesses should consider a more proactive cyber security strategy. Continuous employee training is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of falling victim to a phishing attack. By educating staff on the latest phishing tactics and conducting simulations, you can prepare your employees to identify suspicious messages. Businesses should also integrate AI-powered solutions into their defences, to detect and block phishing attempts in real-time. These tools can analyse emails and identify malicious content before it even has a chance to reach a user.

Infosec K2K can help by recommending and deploying AI-driven tools that monitor communications and detect threats automatically, offering your business an extra layer of protection. A Zero Trust security model is also key to defending yourself from phishing attacks. By assuming that all requests – whether they’re coming from inside or outside your network – are malicious, you can limit who can access your sensitive data, and reduce the risk of a phishing attack. At Infosec K2K, we help businesses to implement IAM frameworks (a key part of Zero Trust), ensuring their information is protected from unauthorised access. 

Staying One Step Ahead

Phishing attacks in 2024 are more subtle – and more dangerous – than ever, thanks to AI. To stay ahead, organisations should be proactive and keep updated on the latest phishing tactics and tools. By understanding what to watch out for, and ensuring your team is prepared for the most advanced attacks, you can protect your organisation and your data – and Infosec K2K can help you every step of the way.

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.

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.