In today's interconnected world, where technology is constantly evolving, safeguarding your business from cyberattacks is paramount.
A study conducted by Blackberry/Make UK at the end of 2022 revealed that nearly half of Britain's manufacturers (42%) had fallen victim to cybercrime within the previous 12 months. Over a quarter of respondents (26%) reported substantial financial losses as a result of an attack, with losses ranging from £50,000 to £250,000. Another report from the National Cyber Security Centre in 2022 stated that there were 2.7m cyber-related frauds in the 12 months to March 2022, and threats to the global supply chain continued to be apparent, with attackers accessing target victim organisation’s networks or systems via third-party vendors or suppliers.
As hackers become more sophisticated and threats escalate, ensuring you have robust Operational Technology (OT) and Industrial Control Systems (ICS) cybersecurity becomes increasingly crucial.
Which industries are targeted by cyber security hacks?
While all industries and workplaces are potential targets, critical industries like energy and manufacturing accounted for 43% of UK cyber attacks in 2021 (source: IBM). These industries are essential to the UK's operations, and attacks on UK manufacturing further weaken already vulnerable supply chains.
Cyber-attacks manifest in various forms, including malware to steal data, phishing emails to deceive customers and steal their information, Denial-of-service (DoS) attacks to overwhelm computer systems and cause downtime, and data breaches. The consequences are incredibly damaging; leading to financial losses due to theft or loss of production, and leaving customers and staff questioning whether their personal data is safe with affected organisations. Criminals continue to devise new methods and exploit vulnerabilities to breach systems.
What are the risks of being hacked?
This could include staff data, patented machine and applications, and production details that competitors could use and be a GDPR risk. A data breach could mean further consequences if it’s found the organisation failed to do enough to prevent a hack.
Individuals and organisations can be victims of a cyber-attack and end in financial losses from the unauthorised transfer of funds, theft of financial information and payment fraud.
Is there any part of your business that doesn’t depend on the successful running of your IT systems? A successful cyber-attack will result in downtime and productivity loss. Any damage to critical systems and infrastructure could take days and weeks to resolve, causing significant disruption.
Malicious hackers could alter machinery information which could adversely affect the safety of staff.
Customers and staff may lose trust in an organisation that was breached by a cyber attack, especially if they experience harmful consequences.
In the event of a successful cyberattack that results in financial losses for your organisation, insurance companies may deny claims if they deem the organisation's cyber security policies to be inadequate or lacking proper documentation and adherence.
Seven ways to enhance the security of your factory:
At Routeco, we take cyber security incredibly seriously. Below are some steps you can take to keep your business safe from security breaches. Complete the form below and speak to one of our experts who will evaluate your needs and identify any gaps to fix.
- Develop a cyber security policy. This policy should outline your organisation's security protocols, best practices, hardware specifications, and guidelines. It should cover topics such as password management, data handling, access, and acceptable use of company systems.
- Implement strong access controls. Control and limit access to critical systems and sensitive data. Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA) for all user accounts. Ensure employees only have access to the resources necessary for their job roles.
- Regularly update and patch software. Keep all software, operating systems, and firmware up to date. This will help to protect your systems from known vulnerabilities.
- Use robust network security. Implement firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS), and network segmentation to protect your network. Monitor network traffic for anomalies and unauthorized access attempts. Use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) for secure remote access.
- Conduct regular data backups: Regularly back up all critical data and systems to an offline or off-site location. In the event of a cyber attack, having recent backups can minimize data loss and downtime.
- Monitor and analyse system logs: Implement a robust logging system to record and monitor activities on your network. Regularly review log files for any suspicious activities, which can help detect and respond to potential cyber threats.
- Develop an incident response plan: Establish a well-defined plan to respond to cyber security incidents. This plan should include procedures for identifying, containing, investigating, and recovering from attacks. Assign specific roles and responsibilities to individuals to ensure a coordinated and effective response.
Following these steps will help improve your cyber-security measures and help protect your systems and data but remember that cyber security is an ongoing process, and it requires a combination of technical measures, employee awareness, and initiative-taking monitoring.
Get in touch with a cyber security expert
Complete the form below and let us help you keep one step ahead of any cyber-attacks.