Critical infrastructure organizations have been under renewed attacks in the U.S. and globally. Utility companies and pipelines provide a lifeline to the millions that depend on them, and attackers target these assets for various reasons. This can include things such as geo-political aims, money, and leverage in a negotiation.
Research by Trend Micro and the Organization of American States found that of the 500 U.S. critical infrastructure suppliers, 54% had detected attempts to control their systems. Forty percent saw attempts to completely shut down their systems.
Of those surveyed:
- Over half said attacks have increased in volume
- 75% said attacks were becoming more sophisticated
Many things can make these facilities more vulnerable. A lack of proper cybersecurity protections, inadequate IT staffing or experience, and a lack of a comprehensive vulnerability management process.
Vulnerabilities that exist through technology infrastructure are one of the main drivers for data breaches. Hackers introduce malicious malware designed to take advantage of software running processes that a company relies on. Or they will look to firmware vulnerabilities introduced by a poorly secured device.
IT managers of mission-critical organizations need to continually stay on the lookout for vulnerabilities cropping up. This involves continuous monitoring, vulnerability assessment of all network systems, endpoints, and assets, and mitigation of those vulnerabilities as they are found.
Here are some of the main factors that can create vulnerabilities in a system. Knowing where to look reduces the risk of a vulnerability sitting in a network for months or longer without being detected.
1. Neglecting Vulnerability Assessment & Management
The weakness that is widely used by hackers to breach an organization’s network is a code vulnerability. Hackers write exploits that take advantage of the vulnerabilities and through that code loophole can do things like give themselves elevated privileges in a system, steal data, plant malware, and take over a system.
Mitigate this risk by using automated vulnerability management software like CyberWizPro. This type of tool makes finding and removing vulnerabilities simply because it handles most of the process for you (including detecting assets, scanning, prioritizing, and recommending mitigation measures).
2. Unauthorized Devices
Networks are made up of multiple parts. Once these endpoints are connected, one vulnerability in a device can lead to a breach that impacts multiple other endpoints, cloud data, servers, and more.
When unauthorized employee devices connect to your network, they can introduce vulnerabilities to your network as a whole. For example, if a smartphone is running an outdated operating system, this can mean an undetected vulnerability that leads to a breach.
Mitigate this by using a mobile device management tool that allows you to automatically block unauthorized devices.
3. Lack of an Automated Update Process
Updates are being pushed through by manufacturers all the time. On any given day, your facility may have a server OS that needs to be updated, an application patch that impacts hundreds of your employees, and updates issued in a cloud storage environment.
Relying on a manual process for all these updates is a recipe for disaster. Updates can easily get missed, leaving vulnerabilities lurking for months until a facility is suddenly caught off guard by a breach.
Mitigate this risk by automating the update process for all devices and software.
4. Introduction of Unsecure IoT Hardware
The use of internet-connected IoT devices has been increasing in organizations and mission-critical facilities. Sensors, locks, lighting, and other “smart” devices enable companies to connect their systems in multiple ways.
However, these devices often lack proper firmware security and introduce vulnerabilities into a network as soon as they are connected.
Mitigate this risk by choosing IoT with good firmware security, ensuring your smart devices are included in automated updates, and following best practices for IoT security (such as turning off unnecessary features).
5. Shadow Cloud Applications Used by Employees
Sixty-nine percent of tech executives cite shadow IT as a top security concern. Shadow IT is another term for cloud applications that employees use without going through authorization.
Unsecure cloud applications can introduce risk into a network in a number of ways:
- The employee can enter sensitive company data into the app
- The cloud app could be connected to a network device
- The employee may leave, and the organization is unaware of the active account
Mitigate this risk by creating and enforcing a cloud use policy that restricts the use of shadow IT. You can also use a vulnerability management tool that searches out all cloud services connected to your network.
6. Lack of Proper Phishing Training
Vulnerabilities can be exploited when employees fall for phishing. Phishing attacks have become more sophisticated over the years and now come via more than just email.
Phishing can be introduced by text messages and over social media, in addition to in email messages. Employee training is an important way to reduce this risk, as often awareness is a powerful cybersecurity tool.
Mitigate this risk by training employees on cybersecurity using various methods and a continuous approach.
Need a Tool That Can Catch Vulnerabilities as They’re Introduced?
Don’t let vulnerabilities sit in your network waiting to be exploited. CyberWizPro is an easy-to-use software that handles much of the vulnerability lifecycle for you.