In the fourth industrial revolution, everything is connected to one network that is usually operated by cloud-based services. The problem is that cyber threat then becomes a real problem, due to hackers finding their way into networks and causing real problems for automated factories and industrial complexes that utilize the Internet of Things.
Kaspersky has been keeping their eye on the future of security in industrial sectors and is advertising a solution to the issue of cyber security. Matvey Voytov, solution business lead: critical infrastructure protection business development at Kaspersky, said: “With industrial attacks, you don’t have to be the victim to be affected.”
Kaspersky is focused on trying to protect power stations and water purification facilities who have become victims of cyber threat in recent times, by introducing new Kaspersky Industrial CyberSecurity (ICS). The program will venture to protect ICS/SCADA servers, HMI panels, engineering workstations, PLCs and more, according to BusinessWire.
Eugene Kaspersky, the CEO and founder of Kaspersky, said: “Many enterprises don’t even know that they are hacked, especially when it comes to SCADA systems (systems for remote operating and control). They know what to do with office network attacks, but they are clueless when it comes to industrial cyber systems, even the police don’t have a clue.” He was talking the London Science Museum where they launched the new security system. He also urged governments to introduce cyber systems to manage critical infrastructure. This, after a power plant in the Ukraine was taken down due to a SCADA systems attack.
He further went on to say:
In many companies, we see a disconcerting approach to industrial computer systems – as long as these systems work, they don’t touch them. As a result, you would see some totally outdated systems like MS DOS, or Windows 3.1, powering systems of critical infrastructure companies.
Protecting an office network is much more difficult than simply downloading an antivirus. But for industrial systems, it is even more difficult because every plant is different. It’s not about deploying a product, it’s an ongoing project.
Cevn Vibert, an industrial control systems security evangelist from Solutions PT, said: “In the past we have been designing system to have redundancy in case of failure. But we haven’t been designing them with the situation in mind that someone maliciously harms them, overrides them. We need a complete change of mindset.
Engineering and Technology Magazine points out that industry cyber security needs to be in place for places like hospitals, due to cyber threats that infect their computers with ransomware. Hospitals in Australia, the United States, and Germany have reportedly been under threat of ransomware attacks.
However, Eugene Kaspersky says that his answer is not to pay ransom but rather to put the correct security in place. He concluded by saying, “Securing infrastructure against hackers is a massive challenge, but I believe that one day we will achieve the state when you can have a wind turbine connected to the Internet, but still be absolutely secure. My dream is to achieve the level of security where it would cost more to hack something than are the possible gains from the attack.”
