- Published: 04 Dec 2020

It’s also a reality that some operations may not have extra room in the budget for a top-of-the-line Industrial Cyber Security platform.
(Here is a handy graph showing the relationship between the cost of an Industrial Cyber Security product versus the probability of a breach.)
However, there is good reason for industrial operations to take cyber security seriously. Recently, the country’s 70,000 water and wastewater facilities are dealing with a wave of online threats – with one IT manager at a midsize water utility plant saying, “It’s not a question of if (there will be an attack), it’s a question of when. Most small and midsize utilities are overstressed.”
There has also been a rise in targeted attacks, including ransomware that specifically goes after Industrial Control Systems. These ransomware attacks have increased rapidly – particularly in the health care and utilities markets.
That’s why it’s important for companies to take a preventative approach, instead of a reactive approach. For example, Middlesex County Utilities Authority (MCUA), responsible for management of wastewater and solid waste services in Central New Jersey, identified a Critical Remote Facility that needed protection. They found a cost-effective solution to secure the remote facility – and one that was implemented quickly.
In addition to AutomaTech’s Industrial Cyber Security offerings, here are some actions that are a step in the right direction and can be implemented without breaking the bank.
- Assess Your Systems
- Review Password Policies
- Regularly Update Control System Software
- Implement Industrial Firewalls & VPNs
While these simple steps won’t offer the full protection that industrial operations may need, they are an excellent starting point. If you’re interested in scheduling an assessment to see how protected your network is against an attack or would like to learn more about Industrial Cyber Security, reach out to the experts at AutomaTech or email us at solutions@automatech.com.