Manufacturing Under Attack: Rising Threats to OT Security
The manufacturing sector faces an unprecedented surge in cyberattacks, with Operational Technology (OT) systems becoming a prime target. These threats disrupt production, compromise trade secrets, and threaten operational continuity, emphasizing the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures.
Physical Impact Attacks
In 2023, 68 cyberattacks caused physical disruptions across over 500 sites, with 54% targeting manufacturing operations.
Exponential Growth
Cyberattacks with physical consequences are doubling annually, with projections of 100 such attacks by the end of 2024.
Manufacturing as a Target
The manufacturing sector accounted for 54.5% of blocked IoT malware, averaging 6,000 weekly attacks.
High-Impact Attacks
Cyberattacks on critical infrastructure increased by 140%, causing severe operational disruptions.
Global Cyberattack Surge
A 75% rise in global attacks has made manufacturing the hardest-hit sector, with 1,876 attacks per week on average.
Why It Matters
These trends highlight the critical need for advanced solutions like Invisinet to secure OT systems, protect trade secrets, and ensure seamless operations in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.
The Invisinet Solution to your Critical Manufacturing Needs
Zero Trust Approach
limits access to critical systems to only pre-authorized users, reducing the chances of unauthorized actors gaining entry. This would include multi-factor authentication and strict user identity verification.
Maximize Your ZTNA Investments
Incorporating identity data within session packets enhances real-time network auditing and reduces false indicators of compromise. Additionally, Invisinet enhances your anomaly detection, making it smarter and more effective.
Seamless IT and OT Integration
Invisinet bridges IT and OT layers, providing end-to-end, low-latency protection within heterogeneous environments. This ensures that both domains are secured effectively without compromising speed or efficiency, making it a truly cost-effective solution for industrial and critical infrastructure.
Regulatory Assurance
Invisinet supports regulatory compliance by integrating real-time auditing features, ensuring that identity information is accurately monitored and reported within session packets. This not only helps meet evolving cybersecurity regulations but also mitigates non-compliance risks, all while delivering cost-effective and low-disruption solutions that align with operational needs.
Cloaking Key Systems
Invisinet’s cloaking technology hides key IT and OT systems (particularly SCADA) from the attackers, making it harder for them to identify which assets to target.
In June 2017, Merck & Co. was hit by the NotPetya cyberattack, a destructive malware initially aimed at Ukrainian targets but quickly spread globally, affecting numerous multinational corporations. NotPetya leveraged a vulnerability in Microsoft systems that lacked a necessary security patch, allowing the malware to propagate across networks, destroying data on over 40,000 computers at Merck. Unlike traditional ransomware, there was no way to recover the encrypted data, even if ransom was paid.
Impact
Estimated ~$1.4 billion in total losses
Disrupted Merck’s manufacturing processes, including the production of APIs and other critical operations.
The production of Gardasil, one of Merck's key vaccines, was significantly affected.
Merck had to borrow doses from the CDC’s stockpile to meet demand, highlighting the disruption's extent.
The attack also resulted in a backlog that impacted sales and operational efficiency over the subsequent months.
Government Response/Regulation
Cybersecurity Frameworks and Guidance
Following NotPetya, federal agencies such as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued updated guidelines for critical infrastructure companies, emphasizing the importance of timely patch management, enhanced network segmentation, and stronger defenses for IT and OT systems to limit malware spread.
Emphasis on Supply Chain Security
The U.S. government and international partners highlighted the need for pharmaceutical companies and other critical manufacturers to develop robust contingency plans for cyber disruptions. The goal is to protect supply chains and maintain production continuity during cyber incidents.
Lessons Learned
Importance of Timely Patch Management
Ensuring systems are up-to-date with security patches is critical to preventing malware from exploiting known vulnerabilities.
Strong Network Segmentation
Dividing networks and systems into segments can limit the spread of malware and protect critical operations from wider disruptions.
Preparedness for Supply Chain Impact
Companies need robust contingency plans for supply chain disruptions caused by cyberattacks, especially in critical industries like pharmaceuticals.
Legal and Regulatory Preparedness
Understanding and ensuring compliance with cyber insurance policies is essential, as insurers may challenge coverage based on specific policy exclusions.
The Invisinet Solution
How Invisinet Helps Keep Manufacturing Secure
Invisinet's advanced cybersecurity solutions help mitigate the impact of cyberattacks by proactively addressing vulnerabilities and enhancing defenses across IT and OT environments. Here’s how Invisinet’s solutions proactively prevent and reduce potential damages:
The Invisinet Solution:
First Packet Authentication™ to Stop Initial Infection
Invisinet’s patented First Packet Authentication™ ensures that every communication attempt is verified from the first packet. This prevents unauthorized access to critical networks, blocking malware propagation before it could begin.
FPA stops malware from exploiting unpatched systems, effectively neutralizing the attack’s entry point.
Network Cloaking to Block Reconnaissance
Invisinet’s Secure Cloaking hides critical IT and OT systems from unauthorized users, preventing attackers from scanning and mapping the network.
Attackers are unable to identify and target vulnerable systems, reducing the malware’s ability to propagate.
Identity-Based Micro-Segmentation to Contain the Malware
Invisinet’s micro-segmentation isolates network segments based on identity policies, limiting lateral movement within the network.
Even if malware infiltrates one segment, micro-segmentation prevents it from spreading to critical systems, including manufacturing operations and critical production.
Dynamic Policy Enforcement for Real-Time Protection
Invisinet dynamically adapts security policies using Confidence Level APIs, ensuring constant alignment with threat levels.
Impact: As the attack unfolded, Invisinet would have adjusted policies to block further unauthorized connections, minimizing damage.
Seamless IT/OT Integration to Protect Manufacturing Processes
Invisinet bridges IT and OT systems with end-to-end security, safeguarding industrial control systems (ICS) and SCADA devices critical to manufacturing operations.
Proactive Regulatory Compliance to Address Vulnerabilities
Invisinet supports real-time auditing and compliance with frameworks like CISA guidelines, ensuring timely patch management and secure configurations.
The Result with Invisinet in Place
No Unauthorized Access
FPA and cloaking would have prevented the malware from entering the network.
Minimal Spread
Micro-segmentation and dynamic policies would have contained the malware to a single segment.
Sustained Operations
IT and OT integration would have protected critical manufacturing processes, avoiding production shutdowns.
Regulatory Assurance
Compliance features would have ensured resilience against attacks and reduced potential liabilities.
The Time to Act is Now
Proactively protect your Manufacturing IT and OT systems with Invisinet’s advanced Zero Trust solutions, safeguarding critical operations against the escalating threat landscape.