The benefits of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) are undeniable. Through cloud computing, analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI) in industrial processes, business value is being extracted from countless networked sensors and devices. While pursuing the potential benefits of IIoT technology, the challenges of digitalization are also becoming apparent. From the harm caused by individuals illegally obtaining data from social networks to the losses from ransomware attacks on industrial enterprises and governments, it is clear that without proactively addressing cyber risks, we cannot reap the benefits of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Businesses need to learn to mitigate these risks through "design protection."
IIoT device risks
In industrial environments such as water treatment, oil and gas, chemical industry, and manufacturing plants, many applications of IIoT devices may bring multiple security risks and vulnerabilities.
A more serious consequence of the increasing number of IIoT applications is the blurring of the lines between operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT), which control the physical hardware of industrial enterprises.
This outcome stems from the need to improve remote monitoring and data acquisition from Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and Operational Technology (OT). Providing network connectivity for these systems has led to an increasing number of situations where designs for monitoring, control, and infrastructure security have been exposed to internet-based attacks aimed at disrupting critical infrastructure in industrial processes for commercial or political gain.
Measures to protect IIoT products
The convergence of OT and IT is inevitable, and industrial installations should use IIoT products to gradually mitigate risks. Adopting industry best practices will reduce risks. When applying IIoT products, checking off the following six recommendations can help achieve basic security. Considering these recommendations at the beginning of the planning process will help identify and address potential IIoT threats:
1. Protect the interface: Insecure interfaces can result in data tampering, loss or damage; lack of accountability mechanisms; denial of access; or device takeover, etc.
2. Regularly upgrade software and firmware: To protect against the latest cyber threats, regular updates for IIoT devices are crucial, and encrypted checks are applied to ensure that updates come from reliable sources.
3. Access Control: Strong passwords, certificate protection, and role segregation must be ensured to prevent damage to devices or user accounts.
4. Protect the network: Only open necessary ports for use. Insecure network services are vulnerable to various attacks, including denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, which render devices inaccessible.
5. Eliminate backdoors: All IIoT devices should not have undocumented backdoors or hidden functions that attackers could exploit.
6. Security Configuration: Attackers often exploit a lack of granular permissions to access data or controls. This risk can be mitigated by hardening security, encrypting transmitted data, and logging security events.
These six recommendations, coupled with a rigorous lifecycle management plan and regular, ongoing testing, can provide enterprises with security, assurance, reliability, resilience, and privacy controls—essential for effectively deploying IIoT solutions. Manufacturers, end-users, and integrators must adopt a "design-safe" mindset and anticipate and eliminate potential threats at every stage of the IIoT product lifecycle.
Ignoring any item on the checklist will put your IIoT solution at risk of being exploited, and will also put other systems at risk.
Disclaimer: This article is a reprint. If there are any copyright issues, please contact us promptly for deletion (QQ: 2737591964). We apologize for any inconvenience.
