"Evolution of ICS Cybersecurity: Is Your Organization Ready for the Next Cyber Apocalypse?"

The evolution of ICS cybersecurity.

In recent years, the risks associated with cyber attacks on industrial control systems (ICS) have become increasingly apparent, for many to see.

From the Stuxnet worm that targeted Iranian nuclear facilities to the ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline in the United States, ICS cyber attacks have the potential to cause significant disruption and damage - and we should worry.

In my latest newsletter, we'll explore the evolution of ICS cybersecurity, and examine some of the key trends and challenges that organizations face today.

Early Days

When ICS systems were first developed, cybersecurity was not a major concern. Most organizations relied on physical security measures such as locks and cameras to protect their systems from intruders. However, as ICS systems became more sophisticated, they also became more vulnerable to cyber attacks. Sophistication of ICS systems means a sophistication of new ideas needed.

Rise of the Internet

With the progressiveness of the internet and technology, ICS systems became increasingly connected, which opened up new vulnerabilities for cyber attackers to exploit. Many early cyber attacks on ICS systems were carried out by hobbyist hackers looking to prove their skills, a challenge, an obsession, a competition. However, as the risks associated with ICS cyber attacks became more apparent, the nature of the threat evolved.

Increased Threat Landscape

Today, organizations must be prepared to defend against a wide range of threats, including nation-state attacks, organized crime, and hacktivist groups. The world is becoming a more dangerous place, more political and crime becoming smarter. These attackers are often motivated by financial gain, political objectives, or a desire to cause disruption. As a result, ICS cybersecurity has become a key focus for many organizations across a range of industries.

Increased Regulation

Governments around the world have introduced regulations aimed at promoting cybersecurity for ICS systems. These regulations often require organizations to adopt specific cybersecurity measures and report cyber incidents to relevant authorities. For example, in the United States, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has developed guidelines for securing ICS systems, and many industries are subject to regulations such as the NERC CIP standards for the power industry. In my opinion, we haven't even scratched the surface, in terms of what we should be doing. Governments and businesses need to do more.

Emerging Technologies

As new technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing have emerged, the attack surface for ICS systems has expanded even further. Organizations must now be prepared to defend against attacks on a wide range of interconnected devices and systems. This has led to the development of new cybersecurity strategies, such as zero-trust architecture and network segmentation, that are designed to protect against advanced threats.

Focus on Resilience

With the growing recognition of the inevitability of cyber attacks, organizations are increasingly focused on resilience. This involves designing systems that can withstand cyber attacks and recover quickly in the event of a breach. Many organizations are adopting a "assume breach" mindset, in which they operate under the assumption that their systems have already been compromised and focus on quickly detecting and responding to cyber incidents. There simply isn't enough being done on the focus of having strong resilience protocols in place. We're still in the active mindset rather than the proactive mindset.

Collaborative Approach

Finally, as the complexity of the threat landscape has grown, many organizations are recognizing the need for a collaborative approach to cybersecurity. This involves working with industry partners, government agencies, and other stakeholders to share threat intelligence and coordinate responses to cyber incidents. By working together, organizations can better understand the evolving nature of the threat landscape and develop more effective strategies for protecting their ICS systems. This is certainly a collective responsibility - are governments, heads of state and businesses listening? In my personal opinion - not enough.

The evolution of ICS cybersecurity has been marked by significant changes in the threat landscape, the regulatory environment, and the technologies used to protect against cyber attacks. As the risks associated with ICS cyber attacks continue to grow, organizations must remain vigilant and adopt a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity that encompasses people, processes, and technology. By doing so, they can better protect their systems from the growing threat of cyber attacks. This indeed is a must. It's on par with climate change, the threat of nuclear war and I would certainly include Cyber attack in this threat to humanity.

Thanks for reading,

Stay safe.

John