February 19, 2024 at 06:02AM
Cyberattacks on critical infrastructure are increasing due to geopolitical conflicts and poorly secured devices. Water treatment plants are targeted, and the US government warns of Chinese plans against US critical infrastructure. Irfan Shakeel discusses the urgency to protect industrial networks and the need for training and resources in OT security. The Middle East and Africa are focusing on cybersecurity after the Saudi Aramco attack.
Based on the meeting notes, here are the key takeaways:
1. Increasing Cyberattacks on Critical Infrastructure: Cyberattacks on critical infrastructure are on the rise due to geopolitical conflicts and poorly secured devices exposed on the public Internet.
2. Urgency in Protecting Industrial Networks: There is a growing urgency to protect industrial networks, especially in light of rising cyberattacks on water treatment plants and high-profile warnings about potential disruptions to US critical infrastructure from China.
3. Knowledge Gap in Protecting Critical Infrastructure: There is a recognized knowledge gap in protecting critical infrastructure, particularly in the Middle East and Africa region, which presents an opportunity for improving cyber defenses in ICS/OT networks.
4. Challenges in OT Environment: The challenges faced in the OT environment are primarily due to the legacy nature of systems and the need for a shift in mindset from managing OT from an IT perspective to an OT perspective.
5. Lack of OT Security Training and Certification: While there is ample training available for IT security, there is a notable lack of education and training for OT security, resulting in a lack of awareness among those responsible for managing OT environments.
6. Need for Accessible Security Resources: There is a need for user-friendly resources to teach security teams in the industrial sector how to properly configure and secure devices such as Siemens models and PLCs, as well as encrypt data transmission.
7. Focus on OT Security in the Middle East and Africa: The Middle East and Africa regions are recognizing the importance of OT security, particularly in the energy, oil, and gas sectors. The Saudi Aramco attack has driven organizations in the region to invest in cybersecurity solutions and human resources to safeguard their operations from disruption caused by cyberattacks.
These takeaways highlight the pressing need for improved cybersecurity measures and education in protecting critical infrastructure, particularly in the context of OT environments.