Automation to impact various Industries

Nick FitzGerald, Senior Research Fellow, ESET. 

“Automation will definitely have an impact on various industries and is attractive because of the increased efficiencies it offers. However, it also opens new risks as several large manufacturers and businesses discovered from the NotPetya ransomware attack in 2017, which resulted in billions of dollars in damages. Again, it is critical to have network design with segmentation isolating automation, Industrial IoT (IIoT) such as ICS, and any other critical production systems from possible sources of attack, including from machines inside your corporate network,”

“The growth of technology means more connected devices, both in terms of total numbers and different models of devices and hence more exposed attack surface. More diverse kinds of connections, such as direct B2B connectivity with suppliers and partners, also mean that some of that attack surface that may seem “internal” to your business is actually exposed outside your direct control, even if it is not openly connected to the internet and hence not publicly exposed.

As you cannot assure the security and integrity of these partners, you have to secure these connections against your partners, while also securing the rest of your network infrastructure. 

Therefore, with our increased dependency on technology, thorough risk analysis and careful network design and segmentation will be critical in ensuring a safe and secure network.”