A new report calls for urgent action to secure industrial infrastructure, warning that the Internet of Things (IoT) leaves it exposed to new security threats.
The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is fast becoming a core part of critical global infrastructure in sectors ranging from manufacturing and energy to transport and the built environment. But according to safety charity Lloyd’s Register Foundation, the current pace of change will not match the emergence of new security threats to IIoT environments.
Foresight review of cyber security for the Industrial Internet of Things points out that current capabilities do not scale, have not been tested or simply do not exist yet. It goes on to warn of an approaching tipping point for recovering from cyber attacks, and the challenges for mindset, regulation and insurance that can build preventative security practices.
“Over the last few years we have seen a rise in deliberate attacks aimed at critical infrastructures across the globe,” said Robert Hannigan, report co-author and international executive chairman at BlueVoyant, a managed security services provider. “As adoption of IoT in the industrial sector continues to grow, clear action and guidance is needed.”
The report aims to prioritise action by identifying key emerging risks, and gaps in capability for which the current pace of change in operational cyber security will not be sufficient.
Recommendations of the report include:
- always consider harm consequences when planning how to manage risks;
- consider how security controls may fail as you increase use of IoT devices;
- use techniques that can provide you with a continuous assessment of your position as opposed to periodic assessments;
- consider how your supply chains are using IoT, and how their failure to maintain cyber security may jeopardise your security risk management plans;
- invest in forensic readiness processes;
- consider future scenarios in your risk assessments;
- train staff on IoT standards and good practice; and
- collaborate to establish a device interface protocol for sharing security monitoring information.
Osborne Clarke’s report How will IoT transform industry in Asia? looks at how the manufacturing and logistics sectors in China, Hong Kong, India and Singapore are embracing IIoT technologies. Download your free copy now!
Tags: Internet of Things, IoT
