Navigating the Manufacturing Threat Landscape

Welcome back to our series on cybersecurity in the manufacturing industry. Part 1: Industrial Cybersecurity Manufacturing Cybersecurity in the Manufacturing Industry and Part 2: The Journey Beyond Industry 4.0 – Embracing Smart Manufacturing set the stage for what we’re unpacking today in Part 3: the shifting cybersecurity landscape in manufacturing.

Tackling Unique Cyber Challenges in Manufacturing

Gone are the days when manufacturers could rely solely on physical barriers to keep their IACS (Industrial Automation and Control Systems) safe. The blend of Information Technology (IT) with OT, driven by a hunger for real-time data and efficiency, has opened a can of worms in terms of cyber vulnerabilities. Think about it: Cyber-Physical Systems and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) are now in the mix, bringing with them a whole new set of IT-style cyber risks.

A Look at Today’s Industrial Cyber Threats

The landscape of cyber threats in the manufacturing sector has evolved dramatically since 2010. We’ve witnessed some groundbreaking and sophisticated cyberattacks, such as the infamous Stuxnet and Triton malware, which targeted industrial control systems with precision. Fast forward to 2023, the threat landscape has shifted considerably, with ransomware now taking center stage. Particularly noteworthy is the emergence of Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) models, exemplified by platforms like LockBit 3.0. These services have made sophisticated ransomware attacks more accessible and widespread.

Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), like the notorious Volt Typhoon, represent another significant and growing concern. These threats are characterized by their highly sophisticated and stealthy nature. APT groups employ a range of cunning strategies, adeptly finding and exploiting vulnerabilities in systems. Their tactics are not just about brute force; they’re about finesse and persistence, often involving carefully planned and executed attacks that can remain undetected for extended periods. These tactics include utilizing “Living off the Land” (LOTL) techniques, infiltrating via lower-security edge devices, and exploiting known vulnerabilities in public-facing applications.

Breaking Down the Attackers’ Playbook

Here’s a quick rundown of what these cyber baddies are up to:

• Hitting Supply Chain Weak Spots: They’re finding and exploiting the tiniest cracks in devices and public apps.
• Climbing the Privilege Ladder: If they don’t get enough control at first, they’re using tricks to get more access.
• Staying Put in Systems: Once in, they’re using tools like RDP to make sure they can stick around.
• Moving Sideways with Smarts: They’re using legitimate methods, like VPNs, to move around and control more of the network.

Keeping Business Rolling in the Cyber-Physical World

Today, it’s all about balancing top-notch industrial cybersecurity with keeping production running smoothly and efficiently. This means being smart about monitoring devices for any abnormal behavior and combining this with proactive cybersecurity tactics. Catching these threats can be tricky, especially when they penetrate deep into the OT/ICS systems.

Key Focus Areas for Beefing Up Industrial Cybersecurity

It’s crucial to understand that in the world of manufacturing, where IACS and cybersecurity operations intertwine, each of these areas plays a vital role in maintaining a robust defense against cyber threats.

Staying Ahead of Threats

• Proactive Monitoring: Implement systems that continuously monitor for suspicious activities or anomalies. This involves using advanced analytics and machine learning to predict and identify potential threats before they become issues.
• Threat Intelligence: Stay updated with the latest threat intelligence. This means keeping an eye on new vulnerabilities, attack methods, and trends in the cyber landscape, especially those targeting manufacturing and OT environments.

Stronger Authentication: Big Yes to Phishing Resistant Multi-Factor Authentication

• Layered Security: Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all systems. This adds an extra layer of security, ensuring that even if passwords are used and compromised, unauthorized access is still blocked.
• Regular Updates: Regularly update authentication protocols and educate employees about the importance of strong, unique passwords.

Watching Device Behavior

• Anomaly Detection: Use tools that can detect unusual behavior in devices. This could be unexpected data transmissions, changes in operational patterns, or signs of tampering.
• Baseline Normal Operations: Establish what normal operations look like to easily spot deviations, which could indicate a security breach.

Tightening Remote Access

• Secure Granular Remote Access: Ensure that any remote access is conducted through secure, encrypted connections with granular session control, monitoring, and logging.
• Access Control: Implement strict access controls and ensure that employees only have access to the network resources necessary for their job roles.

Keeping an Eye on Network Traffic

• Network Monitoring Tools: Utilize OT network monitoring tools to continuously scrutinize network traffic for signs of malicious activity or unauthorized access.
• Segmentation: Practice network segmentation to limit the spread of potential breaches and make it harder for attackers to move laterally across the network.

Managing Vulnerabilities

• Regular Scans: Conduct regular vulnerability scans to identify and address security weaknesses in the system.
• Patch Management: Develop a robust patch management strategy to ensure that all critical software and systems are up to date with the latest security patches where possible. Use compensatory controls where patching is not possible or not practical.

Regular Security Check-Ups

• Audits and Assessments: Regularly perform security audits and risk assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of current security measures.
• Compliance Checks: Ensure compliance with relevant industry standards and regulations, which can provide a framework

Quick-Response Plans

• Incident Response Plan: Develop and regularly update an incident response plan. This plan should outline clear steps to be taken in the event of a cyberattack, including containment, eradication, and recovery processes.
• Simulation Drills: Conduct regular simulation drills and tabletop exercises to test the effectiveness of the response plan and ensure that all team members know their roles during an incident.

Training the Team

• Regular Training Sessions: Conduct ongoing cybersecurity training for all staff members. This training should cover basic cybersecurity hygiene, recognition of phishing attempts, and safe internet practices.
• Awareness Programs: Implement cybersecurity awareness programs to keep staff informed about the latest cyber threats and scams, particularly those targeting the manufacturing sector.

Additional Considerations

• Supply Chain Security: Given the interconnected nature of manufacturing, it’s crucial to ensure that the cybersecurity measures extend to suppliers and partners. Regularly assess the security posture of supply chain partners.
• Physical Security Integration: Don’t overlook the physical security aspects. Ensure that physical access to critical OT and IT infrastructure is tightly controlled.
• Disaster Recovery Planning: Have a robust disaster recovery plan in place. This plan should include backups of critical data and systems, and it should be tested regularly to ensure it can be executed effectively in the event of a major incident.

Dealing with the Bigger Picture

In the current global landscape, the intertwining of geopolitics and cyberattacks presents a complex and evolving challenge for the manufacturing sector.

The Rise of State-Sponsored Cyber Threats

• Sophisticated Tactics: State-backed groups, such as Volt Typhoon, are employing increasingly sophisticated methods. They’re not just hacking systems; they’re engaging in complex cyber espionage and sabotage operations.
• Targeted Attacks: These groups often have specific targets, aiming to disrupt critical infrastructure, steal intellectual property, or gain strategic advantages.
• Long-term Operations: Unlike typical cybercriminals, state-sponsored actors often play the long game, infiltrating systems and remaining undetected for extended periods.

Blending and Sneaking Past Defenses

• Advanced Evasion Techniques: These actors are adept at using techniques that allow them to evade detection by standard cybersecurity tools. This includes polymorphic malware, which changes its code to avoid signature-based detection and leveraging zero-day vulnerabilities.
• Deep Integration: They often integrate deeply into systems, making their activities appear legitimate and thus harder to detect. They might use stolen credentials and mimic normal user behavior to blend in.

The Implications for Manufacturing

• Supply Chain Vulnerability: Manufacturing supply chains are often targeted as they can be the weakest link, providing a backdoor into more secure systems.
• Intellectual Property Theft: For manufacturing firms, the theft of intellectual property and trade secrets is a significant risk, potentially undermining competitive advantages.
• Operational Disruption: Cyberattacks can disrupt manufacturing operations, leading to downtime, safety incidents, and financial losses.

So, there you have it! The manufacturing world is facing some unique cyber challenges that need smart, tailored solutions. We’re diving deep into this topic, so stay tuned for more insights and tips on how to stay safe in the cyber world of manufacturing. Catch you in the next article!

Jonathon Gordon

With over 30 years of experience in cybersecurity, information systems, and telecoms, Jonathon provides focused research and actionable insights to industrial enterprises and those responsible for safeguarding them against cyber threats. Since joining TPR in 2018, he has published numerous reports and playbooks on various industrial cybersecurity topics, including secure remote access, network visibility, asset inventory, perimeter security and ransomware attack recovery. Jonathon is also known as the author of the annual buyers guide for industrial cybersecurity. Prior to joining TP Research, he held various technical, managerial, and senior executive positions with prominent technology companies.