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HOW MANUFACTURERS CAN SECURE THEMSELVES AGAINST CYBER THREATSHOW MANUFACTURERS
CAN SECURE THEMSELVES AGAINST CYBER THREATS

Good risk management is necessary to protect customers, ensure operational
continuity, safeguard intellectual property, and maintain fiscal responsibility.

Matthew Warner, CTO and Co-Founder, Blumira

July 15, 2024

4 Min Read
Source: Ron Buskirk via Alamy Stock Photo


COMMENTARY

Manufacturers have been feeling urgency around cybersecurity for several years —
and it's little wonder given their sector remains the No. 1 ransomware target.
Ransomware attacks threaten to affect manufacturers by interrupting operations
that ripple through supply chains, leading to significant financial losses
through ransom payments, revenue decline, and recovery costs.

Despite the looming threats, there is a notable shortage of cybersecurity
professionals who can shield manufacturers from bad actors. But with the proper
training and tools, manufacturers can still implement a strong security posture,
even if they don't have a security expert on staff. Let's drill down on how can
manufacturers can bolster their cybersecurity defenses and, should an attack
occur, steps they should take to control the damage.


CONSIDERATIONS FOR SECURING THE ENTIRE ECOSYSTEM

Small to midsize manufacturing businesses are especially vulnerable to cyber
threats due to a lower level of preparedness as compared to enterprises,
unprotected data, and willingness to pay ransoms. Strengthening cybersecurity is
crucial for product safety, quality assurance, and operational efficiency. For
instance, implementing stringent controls on industrial control systems (ICS),
operational technology (OT), and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems can
reduce vulnerabilities.

With a comprehensive risk management strategy, manufacturers can protect end
customers, ensure operational continuity, safeguard intellectual property, and
maintain fiscal responsibility. However, even with robust preventive measures,
the possibility of a cyberattack remains. Therefore, manufacturers need to be
prepared to identify risks.


WARNING SIGNS OF RANSOMWARE

Timing is critical when assessing cyber threats in manufacturing, and early
detection is the most effective way to prevent ransomware. The longer a breach
goes undetected, the more damage attackers can inflict on production lines,
supply chains, and intellectual property. Fortunately, even lean manufacturing
IT teams can implement robust defense measures without the need for a dedicated
cybersecurity expert.

In manufacturing, common warning signs include unusual activity on the network
segments that control machinery, production lines, or ERP systems. Another
common indicator is unusual network traffic, which can mean that someone has
external data access or is conducting other malicious activities within the
system. Manufacturers might notice unexpected data transfers from supervisory
control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems or other critical OT components.

Consider a scenario where a manufacturer notices an unusual spike in network
traffic late at night when production lines are typically idle. This anomaly
could indicate an unauthorized party is attempting to transfer data or conduct
other malicious activities. Other red flags include unauthorized administrative
activities, such as installing programs without official approval or user
sign-ins from unusual locations or unfamiliar devices.

Recognizing these warning signs is crucial for early detection and prompt
response, preventing minor breaches from turning into major incidents. However,
if a ransomware attack occurs, act quickly and efficiently to mitigate damage
and begin recovery.


WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF AN ATTACK

If hackers strike, manufacturers should take these critical steps to prevent
significant damage and begin the recovery process:

 1. Isolate impacted systems: Immediately identify and isolate compromised
    systems — including production machinery, assembly lines, SCADA systems, or
    ERP software — from the network. If isolation is not possible, shut them
    down to prevent further spread.

 2. Create an incident document: Maintain and update a document to log
    discoveries and affected systems — e.g., computer numerical control (CNC)
    machines, robotic systems, or programmable logic controllers (PLCs) — and
    coordinate response efforts across the team.

 3. Examine detection systems: Review existing detection systems — such as
    antivirus, endpoint detection and response (EDR), security, information, and
    event management (SIEM), and intrusion prevention (IPS) systems — for signs
    of compromise, such as newly created accounts, or indications of persistence
    mechanisms. This process should include checking logs from ICS and OT
    monitoring tools.

 4. Report the incident: Contact agencies, such as the US Cybersecurity and
    Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), your security vendors, the FBI, or
    the US Secret Service for assistance and to report the attack. Additionally,
    inform industry-specific bodies or associations that may provide support.

 5. Coordinate communication: Work with communications staff to ensure accurate
    information is shared internally and externally, according to the company's
    corporate communications guidelines. Use nonstandard communication methods
    (e.g., phone calls and encrypted messaging apps) to avoid alerting
    attackers. Notify key stakeholders, including suppliers and customers, about
    potential impacts on production schedules.

 6. Rebuild and restore systems: Prioritize and rebuild critical systems,
    focusing on restoring manufacturing operations, such as manufacturing
    execution systems (MES), human-machine interfaces (HMI), and other essential
    production control systems. Issue password resets for affected accounts and
    restore data from offline encrypted backups to ensure the integrity and
    availability of production data.

 7. Document lessons learned: After the incident is under control, document your
    insights and update organizational policies, plans, and procedures
    accordingly. Conduct a post-incident review to identify gaps in the response
    and improve resilience against future attacks. Include lessons learned about
    specific manufacturing processes and impacted technologies.

Manufacturing organizations and professionals know the urgency required to
address cybersecurity threats. By recognizing early warning signs, responding
swiftly to incidents, and strengthening their cybersecurity posture,
manufacturers can protect themselves against the growing wave of attacks,
allowing the industry to build resilience and ensure the continuity of critical
manufacturing processes.




ABOUT THE AUTHOR(S)

Matthew Warner

CTO and Co-Founder, Blumira

Matt is CTO and Co-Founder of Blumira, a leading cybersecurity provider of
automated threat detection and response technology. At Blumira, he leads the
security and engineering efforts to provide actionable insights into
cybersecurity risks at scale. Matt has over 10 years of experience in IT,
Information Security, and Software Engineering, focusing on business strategy,
architecture, compliance, threat detection and penetration testing. Previously,
he was Director of Security Services, Development & Security at NetWorks Group,
responsible for defensive information security and services.

See more from Matthew Warner
Keep up with the latest cybersecurity threats, newly discovered vulnerabilities,
data breach information, and emerging trends. Delivered daily or weekly right to
your email inbox.

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