As more and more industries move towards digital solutions, the need to secure industrial equipment is crucial. With technology at the heart of our modern world, anything containing technology is more prone to cyber threats. In this blog, we will outline the ten most important tips to secure industrial equipment and the various devices in your office.
Secure Your Industrial Devices
Finding and Understanding the Threats
Understanding the risks associated with your industrial device and its connected infrastructure is essential. How can you protect yourself if you don’t know what threats exist?
It’s also important to be aware of your vulnerabilities—what things could go wrong and cause problems for the system as a whole? This will allow you to make decisions based on real-world examples rather than theoretical ones.
Implementing Firewalls
There are many ways to secure your industrial devices from unauthorized access, but one of the most effective is to use a firewall. A firewall can block access to specific ports or IP addresses, making it more difficult for hackers to access your devices.
Various firewalls are available, so choosing one that’s right for your needs is essential. You may get by with a basic firewall if you have a small network. However, you may need a more sophisticated firewall if you have a more extensive network or sensitive data.
Use a Security Solution
Industrial devices are used in various industries, from manufacturing and energy to healthcare and transportation. They are a critical part of our infrastructure and must be protected from cyberattacks.
One way to secure industrial devices is through an OT security solution. OT security solutions are designed to protect devices from cyberattacks and can be tailored to the specific needs of each industry. Several OT security vendors provide solutions for critical infrastructure protection.
Some of the features of an OT security solution include the ability to monitor devices for suspicious activity, block malicious traffic, and provide real-time alerts in the event of an attack. An OT security solution can help protect your industrial devices from cyberattacks.
Segregation is Key
Separate networks for different functions. For example, you could have a network for your office and another for your home office. This will help keep your data secure and separate from others in the company or organization.
You should also separate networks with varying security levels. If information needs to be kept confidential, then it should be on an encrypted device that only authorized users can access (such as a laptop).
You might also consider using VPNs or virtual private networks (VPNs). If sensitive data is being sent out via email or another public interface method, it won’t leave the facility where it resides. For example, Skype calls or web browsing sessions.
Update Your Security Patching
Nowadays, keeping up with the latest software updates for your industrial devices is challenging. However, this is critical in securing them from vulnerabilities that could allow hackers access to sensitive data or wreak havoc. If you don’t know which devices are vulnerable and haven’t installed their latest security patches yet, now is the time.
Use Strong Authentication
Strong authentication is an integral part of any security system. It’s especially critical for industrial devices. Strong authentication means you need more than your password to access a device or service. For example, ensure the person trying to log into your account has the correct fingerprint on their phone.
It must also use multifactor processes like facial recognition, voice recognition, and eye-tracking technology. All of these can help ensure no one else can get in without your permission.
Encryption
As industries increasingly move towards digitalization and interconnectivity, the need for secure industrial devices has never been greater. One way to secure these devices is through encryption, preventing unauthorized access, and ensuring data integrity.
There are a few things to keep in mind when encrypting industrial devices. First, choosing an encryption algorithm that is resistant to attack is essential. Second, the encryption key must be appropriately managed and stored securely. Finally, the encryption process should be monitored and audited regularly.
Monitor, Analyze, and Capture Network Traffic
Industrial devices are becoming connected. They become more susceptible to harmful attacks as a result. Monitoring, analyzing, and capturing network traffic is essential to secure these devices.
One way to do this is to use a network traffic analyzer. This tool will allow you to see all traffic passing through your network, including any suspicious activity. By analyzing this traffic, you can identify any potential security threats and take steps to mitigate them.
Another way to secure your industrial devices is to use a network capture appliance. This appliance will capture all traffic passing through your network and store it for later analysis. It is helpful if you suspect your network has already been breached and must investigate the incident.
Perform Regular Backups of Your Systems and Data
Regular backing up is one of the most critical steps in securing your systems and data. If something happens, it allows you to restore your system, files, and other information.
It would help if you had backups of all critical information stored on a local or remote server, especially with sensitive data such as customer records or financial information. Please make sure the backup medium is protected from theft or damage by storing it in an area that is not accessible to unauthorized people.
Don’t Accept Default Passwords
Default passwords are one of the most common security vulnerabilities in industrial devices. Using a default password, an attacker can quickly gain access to the device and its data. Additionally, users often do not change default passwords. It means that once an attacker knows the password, they can continue to access the device indefinitely.
To prevent this attack, never use an industrial device’s default password. Instead, choose a strong password that is difficult to guess. Additionally, it is vital to change the password regularly to ensure it remains secure.
Final Thoughts
As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, industrial devices risk being hacked. It is essential to take some simple security measures to protect your devices.
Verify that the software and hardware on your devices are up to date. Hackers may be able to take advantage of weaknesses in outdated systems.
It would help if you used solid passwords for all your devices. 2FA adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second factor, such as a PIN code and a password. It is vital to keep your devices updated with the latest security patches.
Manufacturers regularly release security patches to address new threats. You can help protect your devices against the latest threats by keeping them up-to-date. These simple security measures can help protect your industrial devices from being hacked.
