The rationalization of IT/OT systems has become a key strategy to help industrial operators generate performance profits and ensure a competitive advantage. However, the greatest safety risks accompany the convergence of IT/OT, especially with network field devices. Mainly, industrial systems are vulnerable to cyber attacks due to insecure inherited devices (for example, those with insecure predetermined configurations or inherited protocols), poor visibility of the field device and non -segmented ot networks. Given the circumstances, solid cyber resistance is crucial for industrial organizations to mitigate security risks and obtain the rewards of the convergence of IT/OT. To better understand how to improve network safety within the convergent systems of IT/OT, read this article.
Recognizing the importance of cybersecurity, governments are implementing stricter regulations to counteract the growing number of cyber attacks on key infrastructure. These regulations require industrial organizations to implement cybersecurity measures to reduce the impact of a single security incident on national security. For example, the EU NIS2 directive requires that critical infrastructure and essential services implement appropriate security measures and inform any incident to the relevant authorities. The Cyber Incidents Report for the Critical Infrastructure Law (CIRCA) in the USA. Requires critical infrastructure entities to inform important cybercidents and ransomware payments to the cybersecurity and infrastructure security agency (CISA). By improving cyber resistance, industrial operators may be sure that the integration of the IT/OT system is safe, while helping their organizations to adapt to dynamic environments and comply with government regulations.
Three network considerations to improve cyber resistance
Quick response and recovery of unexpected interruptions, as well as safeguarding daily operations and brand image, define commercial resilience. To strengthen commercial resilience, robust cyber resistance is crucial for rapid recovery of cyber attacks. People, politics and technology are all aspects of cyber resistance. From a network planning perspective, consider these three points to improve cyber resistance in your organization.
Consideration one: minimize the surface of the attack as much as possible
Reducing the attack surface of industrial networks is crucial to minimize system inactivity time and allow faster threat recovery. By limiting vulnerabilities to less devices, organizations can better protect their systems. A popular strategy to achieve this is the in -depth defense. To implement this strategy effectively, we suggest using insurance devices by design and develop a layer network protection approach. Industrial operators must select network devices that require cybersecurity standards, such as IEC 62443 and CSF NIST. The essential security guidelines for critical assets, systems and components are described in these standards, which offers assets owners a solid base for safe network infrastructure.
While it is clear that having multiple layers of network protection is beneficial, many industrial organizations fight with budgetary limitations that make such a focus challenging. To start the protection plan in its industrial network, we recommend following a simple three -step process.
- Field device protection: Critical network assets are vulnerable objectives for cyber attacks unless they were protected correctly. The implementation of an industrial intrusion prevention system (IPS) in the face of its critical assets can effectively block the malicious activity known over time. In addition, these IPS devices provide virtual patches for inherited devices that are taxable, strengthening the security of the field device.
- Layer segmentation 2 and 3: Divide their networks into smaller groups of network devices and allow their access control to limit the unauthorized access risk. The VLANs and the subnection allow it to administer access to the network and the traffic flow by groups, ensuring reliable communication.
- Perimeter protection: The convergence of IT/OT eliminates the industrial networks compiled by air. Therefore, protecting the perimeter of the network between different networks is crucial. The implementation of industrial firewalls in the perimeter creates a safe network segmentation between LAN and WAN, OT and IT Networks. Micro segment applications within their industrial network, depending on their safety and network size needs.
This three -step approach gives you a good start to create layer network protection. Depending on the accessible surface of its industrial applications, additional network security methods could be implemented. For example, a VPN that creates a safe tunnel for remote access minimizes potential attack points when engineers remotely access machines on the site through their industrial applications.
Consideration two: detect faster security incidents
Computer pirates constantly try to find ways to avoid their defenses in layers, and it is difficult to block each attack. Therefore, network administrators must obtain the total visibility of their entire network, from the state of network devices to network traffic flow. To quickly identify safety infractions, use network management tools that visualize the status of the network, monitor network devices and traffic flow, and alert it to any anomaly.
It can also implement other advanced network safety solutions, such as intruder detection systems (IDS), in the face of critical assets. They detect abnormal activities and notify industrial operators without interrupting ongoing network operations. In this way, network operations can continue, allowing industrial operators to determine whether a specific abnormal activity deserves attention.
Three consideration: resume operations faster after an attack
The NIS2 directive lists business continuity as a key measure of cybersecurity risk management. During an attack, the priority is to mitigate the damage to maintain operations. To respond and recover quickly from cyber attacks, you need a mechanism for the planning of reports and recovery of incidents. The backup copies of the configurations of their network devices are crucial for the recovery of the efficient network after the attacks, minimizing the reconfiguration work. In addition, network safety events must be monitored continuously and apply safety updates to all network devices to avoid the recurrence of similar attacks. Some network management tools have centralized configuration backups, massive firmware implementations and the creation of panels to monitor network safety events, significantly reducing the recovery time of the network for administrators. Choosing tools wisely reduces recovery time drastically, resuming network operations in a short time.
Strengthen the resilience of the network with the Safe Network Solutions of Moxa
Industrial organizations must implement safe industrial networks to reinforce their cyber resistance. However, it is essential to simplify the implementation of safe network for OT operators without interrupting existing operations. The integral solutions of Moxa’s safe networks improve the safety of industrial networks, ensuring future proof performance and industrial reliability. We are among the pioneer companies of having obtained the IEC 62443-4-1 certification for our Development Safe Life Cycle (SDL), solidifying our global leadership through the achievement of the IEC 62443-4-2 certification for multiple network products. Our proven success shows our dedication to help customers improve the safety of their network device.
Fortifying network safety, our Ethernet switches offer safety features and a certified IEC 6244-4-2 SL2 portfolio to protect devices and network. Our safe routers and industrial firewalls use advanced safety features, such as IPS, IDS, DPI, VPN, etc., to create a layer network security system that protects its critical assets, network infrastructure and perimeter. Visualize the status of the network, our software shows the status of the device, sends real -time alerts on anomalies and admits a board to track safety events.
Visit our micrositio for more information about our safe network solutions.
Source: Moxa
