With technological advancement comes the need to be cyber secure. As a result, cyber security is essential more than ever before. Also, with the rise of businesses on the global network, strong security measures need to be in place.
Research shows that approximately 90,000 people get affected by cybercrime each month. With these numbers, you need to ensure that you are cyber secure.
What Is Cyber Security?
Cyber security is the process of shielding sensitive information and systems from attacks. This process is also known as information technology (IT) security. It protects against theft and damage to software or any electronic data.
What Operational Technology Security Is All About
Apart from IT security, there is also operational technology (OT) security. OT security ensures the protection of physical assets and devices. It detects or affects alterations through the direct control of physical devices.
OT security operates by meeting the protective needs of the OT space. Some of these protective measures are;
- It prevents attacks aimed at the systems used often in OT environments.
- Dispersing protocols that are OT inclined
- Shielding the availability of systems
- It ensures vulnerability management
All these attacks are avoidable if you have an excellent cyber security guide. Several defender industries provide optimal OT cyber security services. Also, there are OT security vendors who can provide the needed services you need to be cyber safe.
Best Techniques in Operational Technology (OT)
Operational Technology (OT) work hand in hand with Information Technology (IT). But, their processes and techniques to ensure computer security are different. Some OT techniques are;
Discovery of OT-Related Assets
OT connections can be intricate, and most industries do not have complete insight into their resources. This issue is further complex as the OT networks could extend to several locations. An effective security framework will need complete insight into the available assets connections.
Fragmenting the Network
Throughout history, we see operational technology networks use air gaps for protection. This air gap is where OT and IT networks are physically separated from each other. Although, this protective action does not provide a complete cyber defense. Yet, this procedure makes it difficult for cybercriminals to attack OT resources.
To protect systems, companies must replace these air gaps when OT and IT connect. This step is vital, even though these systems were never fashioned to connect to the internet. Fragmenting networks provide access to the following;
- It isolates assets within a given network
- Detection of vicious commands and contents by a firewall
- Enhances the access control across OT network fragment boundaries
Risk Prevention on OT
Due to the tendency of false positive errors in the prevention of attack, OT focuses on the detection. It checks if a genuine procedure has an incorrect label and blocks it as vicious. With this, it could regulate the routines of the system.
IT vs. OT
- IT security is data inclined. OT security tools focus on sensitive assets. It checkmates the performance and quality of systems. It also ensures the safety of people and the environment.
- IT deals with data and the movement of cyber information. OT deals with the running of the actual procedures alongside the gadgets used.
- IT security covers SQL, cloud, HTTP, business and marketing data, RDP, and the like. OT cybersecurity covers RTUs, HMIs, PLCs, assembly lines, modus, and machinery.
- IT system administration has centralization. The administration of the OT system is local delegation to figures.
- IT needs high bandwidth to have optimal performance. OT runs on low bandwidth
But, If you don’t have a clue on how to be cyber safe, you could engage the services of mitre framework. But, before we begin the prevention, let’s have a little insight into crime attacks
What Cyber Attack Is All About
A cyber attack is an intentional manipulation of computer software or system. This act uses deceptive codes to alter your data, logic or workstation. It could have programming to steal, leak or keep your data detained.
Some examples of cyber-attacks are;
- Physical stealing of devices, such as phones and laptops
- Breaching access
- Alteration of password
- Unwanted text messaging
- Identity fraud, theft, or extortion
- Unauthorized access
- Stealing of Intellectual Property
- Infiltration of system
- Disfiguring website
- Access Denial
- Introduction of viruses, spyware, phishing, spoofing, or spamming
- Exploiting web browser, either public or private
Steps to Prevent Cyber Attack in an Organization
There are several procedures to prevent cyber attacks in an industry. They are;
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Access Supervision
You should have supervised administration rights that stop employees from installing any program. Besides, they should not access sensitive data on your business network. You put your company at risk when you install programs on commercial-owned gadgets. Proper supervision is mandatory to protect your company from cyber-attacks.
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Updating Computers and Software
Most attacks occur when the system or software is not up to date and weak. Thus, cyber crooks take advantage of this loophole to gain access and break into your network. Unfortunately, with this entry, it is somewhat late to take any protective measures. To prevent this from happening, you should have a patch management system.
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Data Backup
If a cyber attack is successful and there is data compromise, you should have a data backup. Backing up your data will save you a lot of financial loss and loss of sensitive information. Also, it could prevent a severe crisis that could arise, like a lawsuit and a total shut down of the company.
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Equipping Employees
Cyber bullies can access information or data through your employees. These criminals could send malicious emails posing as someone in your organization. With this, they can request critical info and have access to specific files. They can use links as a legitimate excuse to make your untrained staff fall for their trap. But, a knowledgeable employee will see this mirage and sound the alarm.
Here are a few things your employees need to know to prevent an attack:
- Vet critical information before sending it
- Cross-check links before opening them
- Check the email address of the email received
- Cross-check identity with the members of the organization, both past, and present
- Give the sender of the mail a phone call and ask intricate questions
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Firewall Installation
Never underestimate data breaches as they could evolve, and a comeback could occur. Instead, put your network behind a firewall to defend your data from a cyber attack. This simple technique has proven to be a sure, cost-effective defense over time. Installing a firewall will stop any vengeful assault on your computer or network. Thus, keeping it keeps the computer safe so that no damage occurs.
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Safeguard Your Data With Endpoint Protection Software
Endpoint protection provides security to networks that are only linked to devices. For example, cyber threats come from corporate networks linking laptops, phones, or computers. These pathways, if exposed, could provide access to data breaches or attacks. To prevent this, protect these links with endpoint protection software. To help you with this, you contact cyber defender industries.
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Your Employees Should Have Personal Accounts
To ensure cyber protection, staff should have their login. A company can be at cyber risk when diverse users link under one credential. Also, the intensity of cyber attacks is minimal when employees have separate logins. Each staff will only log in once a day with their unique login code. These procedures not only ensure security but also enhance usability.
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Checkmate Access to Your Computer
Some cybercrimes are physical, so you need to take physical preventive measures. An example of a physical cybercrime is stealing laptops, phones, tablets, or computers. Thus, it would be best if you controlled who gains access to where these devices are.
Another physical assault could be someone who walks into the company and plugs in a USB key. This USB key could contain all sorts of infected files. Thus, your computer receives these files, corrupting the entire network. In essence, controlling your physical space is essential. You could install security agents to stop break-ins and spot malicious persons.
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Have a Functional Wifi Security System
Wifi is an integral part of today’s devices. So, having it protected is very important. Your device could get infected if it gets connected to a corrupt network. This corruption poses a severe risk if this device links up with your business network. This could shut down your entire business network if the infestation is massive.
Passcodes are best to secure your business wifi network and keep them secret. This action prevents other devices from connecting to your wifi network.
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The Intricacies of Password
As safe as installing programs’ passwords, they are also avenues for cyber crimes. Now, having the same type of password for everything is risky. If a cybercriminal figures out this one password, this criminal will have access to all your data. It is wise to have different passwords installed in every application. This technique will add the extra security measure needed.
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Conclusion
There are several measures to take to prevent your company from cybercrime. For example, have wifi security, different passwords, backup data, installing firewalls, and others. You could also engage the services of a mitre attack framework. But, to have complete data security, you should have a fusion of OT and IT security frameworks.
