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Dark Reading is part of the Informa Tech Division of Informa PLC Informa PLC|ABOUT US|INVESTOR RELATIONS|TALENT This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales and Scotlan. Number 8860726. 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HOW MANUFACTURERS CAN SECURE THEMSELVES AGAINST CYBER THREATSHOW MANUFACTURERS CAN SECURE THEMSELVES AGAINST CYBER THREATS Good risk management is necessary to protect customers, ensure operational continuity, safeguard intellectual property, and maintain fiscal responsibility. Matthew Warner, CTO and Co-Founder, Blumira July 15, 2024 4 Min Read Source: Ron Buskirk via Alamy Stock Photo COMMENTARY Manufacturers have been feeling urgency around cybersecurity for several years — and it's little wonder given their sector remains the No. 1 ransomware target. Ransomware attacks threaten to affect manufacturers by interrupting operations that ripple through supply chains, leading to significant financial losses through ransom payments, revenue decline, and recovery costs. Despite the looming threats, there is a notable shortage of cybersecurity professionals who can shield manufacturers from bad actors. But with the proper training and tools, manufacturers can still implement a strong security posture, even if they don't have a security expert on staff. Let's drill down on how can manufacturers can bolster their cybersecurity defenses and, should an attack occur, steps they should take to control the damage. CONSIDERATIONS FOR SECURING THE ENTIRE ECOSYSTEM Small to midsize manufacturing businesses are especially vulnerable to cyber threats due to a lower level of preparedness as compared to enterprises, unprotected data, and willingness to pay ransoms. Strengthening cybersecurity is crucial for product safety, quality assurance, and operational efficiency. For instance, implementing stringent controls on industrial control systems (ICS), operational technology (OT), and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems can reduce vulnerabilities. With a comprehensive risk management strategy, manufacturers can protect end customers, ensure operational continuity, safeguard intellectual property, and maintain fiscal responsibility. However, even with robust preventive measures, the possibility of a cyberattack remains. Therefore, manufacturers need to be prepared to identify risks. WARNING SIGNS OF RANSOMWARE Timing is critical when assessing cyber threats in manufacturing, and early detection is the most effective way to prevent ransomware. The longer a breach goes undetected, the more damage attackers can inflict on production lines, supply chains, and intellectual property. Fortunately, even lean manufacturing IT teams can implement robust defense measures without the need for a dedicated cybersecurity expert. In manufacturing, common warning signs include unusual activity on the network segments that control machinery, production lines, or ERP systems. Another common indicator is unusual network traffic, which can mean that someone has external data access or is conducting other malicious activities within the system. Manufacturers might notice unexpected data transfers from supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems or other critical OT components. Consider a scenario where a manufacturer notices an unusual spike in network traffic late at night when production lines are typically idle. This anomaly could indicate an unauthorized party is attempting to transfer data or conduct other malicious activities. Other red flags include unauthorized administrative activities, such as installing programs without official approval or user sign-ins from unusual locations or unfamiliar devices. Recognizing these warning signs is crucial for early detection and prompt response, preventing minor breaches from turning into major incidents. However, if a ransomware attack occurs, act quickly and efficiently to mitigate damage and begin recovery. WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF AN ATTACK If hackers strike, manufacturers should take these critical steps to prevent significant damage and begin the recovery process: 1. Isolate impacted systems: Immediately identify and isolate compromised systems — including production machinery, assembly lines, SCADA systems, or ERP software — from the network. If isolation is not possible, shut them down to prevent further spread. 2. Create an incident document: Maintain and update a document to log discoveries and affected systems — e.g., computer numerical control (CNC) machines, robotic systems, or programmable logic controllers (PLCs) — and coordinate response efforts across the team. 3. Examine detection systems: Review existing detection systems — such as antivirus, endpoint detection and response (EDR), security, information, and event management (SIEM), and intrusion prevention (IPS) systems — for signs of compromise, such as newly created accounts, or indications of persistence mechanisms. This process should include checking logs from ICS and OT monitoring tools. 4. Report the incident: Contact agencies, such as the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), your security vendors, the FBI, or the US Secret Service for assistance and to report the attack. Additionally, inform industry-specific bodies or associations that may provide support. 5. Coordinate communication: Work with communications staff to ensure accurate information is shared internally and externally, according to the company's corporate communications guidelines. Use nonstandard communication methods (e.g., phone calls and encrypted messaging apps) to avoid alerting attackers. Notify key stakeholders, including suppliers and customers, about potential impacts on production schedules. 6. Rebuild and restore systems: Prioritize and rebuild critical systems, focusing on restoring manufacturing operations, such as manufacturing execution systems (MES), human-machine interfaces (HMI), and other essential production control systems. Issue password resets for affected accounts and restore data from offline encrypted backups to ensure the integrity and availability of production data. 7. Document lessons learned: After the incident is under control, document your insights and update organizational policies, plans, and procedures accordingly. Conduct a post-incident review to identify gaps in the response and improve resilience against future attacks. Include lessons learned about specific manufacturing processes and impacted technologies. Manufacturing organizations and professionals know the urgency required to address cybersecurity threats. By recognizing early warning signs, responding swiftly to incidents, and strengthening their cybersecurity posture, manufacturers can protect themselves against the growing wave of attacks, allowing the industry to build resilience and ensure the continuity of critical manufacturing processes. ABOUT THE AUTHOR(S) Matthew Warner CTO and Co-Founder, Blumira Matt is CTO and Co-Founder of Blumira, a leading cybersecurity provider of automated threat detection and response technology. At Blumira, he leads the security and engineering efforts to provide actionable insights into cybersecurity risks at scale. Matt has over 10 years of experience in IT, Information Security, and Software Engineering, focusing on business strategy, architecture, compliance, threat detection and penetration testing. Previously, he was Director of Security Services, Development & Security at NetWorks Group, responsible for defensive information security and services. See more from Matthew Warner Keep up with the latest cybersecurity threats, newly discovered vulnerabilities, data breach information, and emerging trends. Delivered daily or weekly right to your email inbox. Subscribe You May Also Like -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ICS/OT Security Southern Company Builds SBOM for Electric Power Substation ICS/OT Security Patch Now: Critical Windows Kerberos Bug Bypasses Microsoft Security ICS/OT Security Physical Access Systems Open Cyber Door to IT Networks ICS/OT Security Siemens PLCs Still Vulnerable to Stuxnet-Like Cyberattacks More Insights Events * Black Hat USA - Aug 3-8 - The Premier Technical Cybersecurity Conference - Learn More August 3, 2024 * Black Hat Europe - December 9-12 - Learn More December 10, 2024 * SecTor - Canada's IT Security Conference Oct 22-24 - Learn More October 22, 2024 More Events Latest Articles in The Edge * How Manufacturers Can Secure Themselves Against Cyber Threats July 15, 2024 | 4 Min Read * CISA, FBI Warn of OS Command-Injection Vulnerabilities July 12, 2024 | 1 Min Read * Trade the Comfort of Security Theater for True Security July 11, 2024 | 5 Min Read * 5 Tips to Minimize the Costly Effects of Data Exfiltration July 10, 2024 | 4 Min Read Read More The Edge DISCOVER MORE WITH INFORMA TECH Black HatOmdia WORKING WITH US About UsAdvertiseReprints JOIN US Newsletter Sign-Up FOLLOW US Copyright © 2024 Informa PLC Informa UK Limited is a company registered in England and Wales with company number 1072954 whose registered office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG. 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