Industry 4.0 Implementation: Steps to Ensure Robust Cybersecurity

Effective cybersecurity practices play a crucial role in safeguarding Industry 4.0’s cyber-physical systems that rely on the internet and cloud-based software for advanced manufacturing and automation, and their intricate connections within the facility. These connections are vital for ensuring that manufacturing systems consistently provide accurate and timely data, indispensable for the success of the industry 4.0 model.

In the past, enterprise systems within manufacturing facilities operated within their borders. Physical and electronic separations existed between the shop floor and the company's office functions. Very few production systems were interconnected or linked to the internet. This approach, called ‘air gapping,’ provided a high level of protection. By remaining disconnected from potential risks associated with connectivity, manufacturers were considered unattractive targets to attackers, deterring them from making the effort of embedding malware.

Today the ubiquity of the internet and mobile devices has blurred the once-distinct lines between conventional information technology systems (IT) and operational technologies (OT), which include production systems and other equipment. And the rise of the hybrid and all remote work force has naturally further eroded the boundaries that used to exist. At the same time, there has been a notable increase in attempts to breach the once secure air gap. As a consequence, the manufacturing sector is now one of the prime targets for cybersecurity attacks.

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In the world of cybersecurity, there is a foundational concept called the CIA triad. This is an acronym that stands for confidentiality, integrity, and availability:

There are other attributes that can join the party, like privacy and safety. But these three -- confidentiality, integrity, and availability -- are the rock-solid, time-tested principles required in the Industry 4.0 realm; the golden rules of cybersecurity.

Identifying the Threat

Manufacturing systems face a range of threats that need safeguarding. For small and medium-sized manufacturers, these threats typically fall into three major categories:

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Conventional IT Threats: These are the threats that most companies are already acquainted with such as ransomware, data loss or theft, and intellectual property breaches. They typically zero in on a company's IT infrastructure and its employees, often through sneaky phishing attacks (fake email offers, fraudulent security alerts) or exploiting weak passwords. These traditional attacks can result in not only lost time and money but also damage a manufacturer's reputation and relationships with business partners and supply chains. 

Operational Technology Challenges: Industrial control systems, Industrial IoT, and other shop-floor equipment used to be considered secure because they were kept separate. Today these systems are often connected to a company's network and the internet. This opens the door for attackers to compromise them. Successful attacks on the operational tech environment can jeopardize proprietary company information, disrupt the manufacturing process, and affect product quality.

Customized Software Vulnerabilities: Manufacturers regularly use software that has been tweaked, modified, or tailored to meet the specific needs of their operations. These customizations may inadvertently introduce security weak points. What's more, to prevent equipment malfunctions, the software isn't always kept up-to-date or patched to address newly discovered vulnerabilities. If the custom software wasn't initially designed with security as a top priority or isn't correctly implemented and maintained, it can serve as a potential entry point for accessing other systems.

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Some Simple and Practical First Steps Toward Security

Here are some actionable steps to safeguard manufacturing systems:

By following these steps, manufacturers can uplevel their security stance, protect their investments and take meaningful steps toward establishing a robust cybersecurity strategy.