Preparing the manufacturing industry for new age cyber-attacks

In the dynamic industry of manufacturing, the rise of technology has given rise to increased chances of cyberattacks. Therefore, employees in the manufacturing industry need to equip their businesses well with the latest tools to combat cybersecurity attacks. It’s crucial for manufacturers to understand the importance of fortifying their defenses against advanced cyber threats to safeguard their manufacturing infrastructure.

The best practices for strengthening cybersecurity in the manufacturing industry:

Implementing solid cybersecurity defenses or solutions to ensure the security of the manufacturing industry has become the need of the hour. The best practices to solidify defenses from potential cyber threats include:

1. Implement a zero-trust approach.

Companies these days are adopting a zero-trust policy to protect their businesses. A zero-trust approach requires the verification of all users or devices before they are allowed access to the company’s vital systems. This approach reduces the chances of cyber-attacks because it carries out constant authentication of people and systems throughout the entire network system. The zero-trust approach does not allow the company to make any kind of trust assumptions.

2. Strengthen Endpoint security.

Endpoint security is essential to protect your system from cyberattacks such as malware or attempts at unauthorized access to the company’s private data. Hence, all manufacturing industries should deploy an all-encompassing endpoint security solution so that they can defend their systems from potential attacks and cyber bullies and ensure real-time protection for desktops, mobile phones, or servers.

3. Zero trust network access or ZTNA

Zero Trust Network Access, or ZTNA, is nothing but an advanced cybersecurity solution that ensures an organization’s applications, data, and services are secured by controlling remote access. While virtual private networks or VPNs allow access to the entire network, Zero Trust Network Access only grants access to some specified services or applications.  ZTNA limits and controls access to the company’s applications by analyzing user identity as well as device context. By implementing a Zero Trust Network Access policy, manufacturing industries can enable cybersecurity and make sure all their connections are secured all the time.

4. Keep all your systems updated:

It’s important to update and patch systems on time and maintain a regular updating routine to overcome vulnerabilities and ensure protection against known threats. Every manufacturer must build a systematic process for identifying and implementing updates for systems and networks.

5. Make sure your supply chain is secure:

Manufacturers must evaluate the security solutions of their suppliers or customers to make sure their practices are truly secure. Therefore, manufacturing industries should maintain a robust security standard and carry out regular audits to identify as well as mitigate cybersecurity risks.

6. Run security awareness training:

Owners should create a security-conscious environment in the workplace. This can be achieved by implementing regular security awareness programs to train all the employees and teach them everything about cybersecurity. Your workers must have basic knowledge about password protection, how to practice safe browsing, and how to tackle phishing attacks and ransomware attempts. If your employees are educated, then you have already resolved half of your problems.

7. Indulging in Threat Intelligence:

Threat Intelligence means gathering well-researched information about potential cyber threats to protect organizations better. Cyber Threat Intelligence experts analyze the latest and emerging cyber threats in the online market and provide organizations with information regarding the mechanisms of attacks, how to identify potential risks, and how to defend their systems against malicious activities. This information is based on evidence. The most common forms of cyberattacks include zero-day exploits, phishing attacks (where attackers trick employees into disclose private and sensitive information), man-in-the-middle attacks, malware, sophisticated ransomware attacks (where criminals encrypt sensitive data and demand a huge sum as ransom in exchange for allowing access to that data) and denial-of-service attacks. Cyber Threat Intelligence not only educates organizations about how to tackle the newest threats but also helps them to mitigate in-progress attacks.

8. Monitor the network traffic:

Constantly monitoring network traffic is crucial to identifying potential threats that are approaching and responding immediately to fight them. Advanced analytics and detection systems are available that can track network traffic, display real-time network activities, and implement rapid action as soon as threats are detected.

Note: taking up cyber security insurance policies can greatly benefit companies to recover from huge financial losses that comes from severe cyberattack incidents.

Wrapping up:

Not just manufacturing industries but all industries have become digitized in recent times. And with new-age digitization, the need to implement strong cybersecurity measures has become extremely critical. Cybersecurity is a constant and ongoing process that demands the support of employees, regular vigilance, an adaptation of the latest software and tools that address cyber threat challenges, and the implementation of well-informed strategies to strengthen cybersecurity defenses. The first step is to understand the complexities of new-age cyber threats. By following the above-mentioned steps and using the right technologies and practices, manufacturers can proactively safeguard their businesses.