Digitalization has brought countless innovations to industries, bringing much greater agility to processes that previously depended on human labor, mainly thanks to automation. However, this advancement has also opened the door to increasingly sophisticated cybersecurity threats, which many companies in the industrial sector are not yet prepared to mitigate.
Threat protection is critical, as any disruption can impact not only production, but also a company’s reputation and operating costs. In this article, we’ll cover the most common types of cyber threats in industry, their potential damage, and how Mouts IT can help industrial companies protect themselves.
Main types of threats to industrial cybersecurity
Industrial malware ( ransomware , spyware and others)
Malware encompasses various forms of malicious software designed to damage or invade systems without consent . Ransomware attacks are particularly dangerous in the industrial environment. These viruses encrypt critical data and demand a ransom to release it. As such, the industrial sector has been a prime target for ransomware, due to its reliance on operational data and connected systems to keep machines running.
Spyware is another type of malware that, although less disruptive in terms of paralyzing systems, poses a great risk because it captures and transfers confidential information without authorization. Therefore, in the industrial environment, spyware can steal data about manufacturing processes and proprietary technologies , giving third parties a competitive advantage and compromising trade secrets.
Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks
Distributed denial of service attacks , or DDoS attacks , aim to overload networks and servers, preventing legitimate access to the systems. In this sense, the network overload affects both the operating systems of the machines and the communication between the different parts of the production chain. In many cases, this type of attack is used as a rehearsal for more destructive attacks, such as the introduction of malware or ransomware .
In industry, where continuous operation is required, a DDoS attack can result in production shutdowns that directly impact the supply chain and supply contracts. Depending on the type of system that is down, it may be necessary to interrupt the entire production process until the network is restored.
Threats to connected IoT devices
IoT devices are essential for automation and real-time monitoring in industries. Ranging from sensors that monitor temperature and pressure to security cameras and devices that monitor machine performance, IoT is already nearly ubiquitous in modern factories. However, every connected device represents a potential entry point for hackers.
IoT devices often come with default security settings that are not updated, making it easy for hackers to access them. Hackers can exploit these vulnerabilities to remotely control the system, modify production parameters, and even disable equipment.
Internal threats (human errors and unauthorized access)
While it’s common to think that threats always come from the outside, human error and unauthorized access from within are also responsible for a significant percentage of cyber incidents. The lack of a solid security policy and ongoing training can lead employees to access critical systems without proper permissions, or even to unintentionally install malicious software .
Additionally, former employees or third parties with inappropriate access to company systems pose a major risk. Lack of control over access to confidential information allows these individuals to manipulate data, causing damage to the system or leaking strategic information.
Consequences of cyber threats for industry
The threats listed above can impact industrial cybersecurity in a variety of ways, causing significant financial and operational losses. Some of the most serious consequences include:
- Machine and production line shutdowns: A cyberattack can immobilize machine control systems, bringing entire production lines to a standstill. In industries where uptime is critical, such as the manufacturing of automotive parts or food products, a disruption can result in inventory losses and delays in scheduled deliveries.
- Supply chain disruption: With production halted or slowed down, suppliers and distributors are left without information about the progress of the production chain. This creates a mismatch between product availability and consumer demand, affecting business partners and brand image.
- Damage to reputation and reliability: When a company suffers an attack and data is compromised, the trust of customers and partners is directly affected. Thus, investors and employees may see the incident as a management failure, undermining the company’s credibility.
- High recovery costs and downtime: The time and resources required to restore compromised systems are very high. In addition to the equipment and labor required to reactivate the systems, the company loses revenue and may incur additional costs for security and prevention.
Real case of cyber attack: the attack on Maersk
In 2017, shipping giant Maersk was the victim of a ransomware attack known as NotPetya. Within hours, the virus spread across its global systems, paralyzing operations at 76 ports around the world. This attack was considered one of the largest cyber incidents in the industry, causing an estimated $300 million in losses for the company.
The lesson learned from the Maersk attack is the importance of preventive and contingency security measures. The company realized that the lack of a robust cyber incident response plan was a determining factor in the losses. Today, with the right support, other companies can adopt a proactive and robust stance against digital threats, reducing their exposure to similar risks.
How Mouts TI can protect your industry
The Mouts TI team works with a set of solutions and tools to prevent and mitigate cybersecurity attacks in the industrial environment. Learn about some of the main initiatives we use to protect your operation:
24/7 Incident Monitoring and Response:
We offer real-time monitoring of systems and networks, detecting anomalies in advance. A specialized team is always available to respond to any sign of intrusion, taking measures to stop attacks before they affect your production.
Anti-malware and DDoS solutions:
Using advanced technologies, we can identify and block malware and DDoS threats before they spread. We integrate firewalls , intrusion detection systems, and other tools into your operating environment, keeping you protected from malware and denial of service attacks.
IoT Security:
Our experts create a protective shield around IoT devices connected to your industrial environment, ensuring they are always up-to-date and protected from attacks. We also offer ongoing monitoring and security practices that include multi-factor authentication and data encryption.
Team training and access management:
Mouts works with ongoing employee training, promoting awareness of good security practices and reducing the likelihood of human error. Access management ensures that only authorized personnel have access to critical systems.
Conclusion
In short, the strength of digital threats to industrial cybersecurity continues to grow, but at the same time, new security strategies can stop these attacks before the worst happens.
With the support of Mouts TI, it is possible to prevent cyberattacks, reduce downtime and protect your company’s reputation. Invest in security and keep the productivity and reliability of your industry intact. For more information, contact Mouts TI and find out how to fully protect your operation.
