Cybercrime is increasing year by year, exposing industrial companies to new dangers and the challenge of introducing appropriate cybersecurity measures. The following article provides interesting information on cybercrime and cybersecurity, as well as information on what preventive measures companies can take in the age of Industry 4.0.
In recent years, cybercrime has become a threat to the entire economy that should not be underestimated. In addition, the use of artificial intelligence in industry has also increased the attack potential for cybercriminals. For example, many machines are already networked – for example, to independently report missing industrial spare parts.
The terms cybersecurity, digital security and IT security refer to one and the same thing. They refer to actions aimed at defending computers, servers, electronic systems and networks.
Cybersecurity and protection against cyber attacks can be divided into the following categories or areas:
Network security: This is a process that secures computer networks against attacks – regardless of whether they are targeted attacks or non-specific malware.
Program security: According to program security, programs and devices are already equipped in the design phase in such a way that they offer fewer attack surfaces for threats. This approach is based on the knowledge that unprotected programs can grant access to a wide range of data.
Information security: This form of cyber security refers to the privacy of data, which is protected as best as possible when it is stored and sent.
Operational security: This aspect of security refers to how data is handled and protected. Good operational security is expressed in the authority that users have to access networks, as well as in the decisions about how data is stored and shared.
Data recovery and replacing damaged infrastructure: this is about how an organization responds to a cybersecurity breach. For example, disaster recovery policies define how a company will restore its operations and data after the event. The business continuity plan also helps companies resume operations – in other words, perform a quick "recovery."
End-user education: This involves educating users about how their behavior can contribute to cybersecurity compromise. For example, employees learn how quickly it is possible to violate proven security principles and, for example, introduce a virus into a secured system. For example, end-user education includes lessons that teach employees not to open or insert unknown email attachments and USB sticks.
Experts frequently cite people as a contributing factor in the development of computer crime. The main reason for this is the ignorance and carelessness of inadequately trained employees. For this reason alone, well thought-out training and a company-wide security culture are essential for prevention.
Many countries have established their own IT security standards and cybersecurity rulebooks. For example, the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recommends organizations continuously monitor their electronic assets in real time. The federal government has also recognized the signs of the times and published a new cybersecurity strategy in 2021.
What’s more, many high-revenue companies, especially financial services firms, are already taking advantage of the opportunity to purchase cyber insurance. This insurance cover for companies covers damage arising in connection with hacker attacks or other cybercrime offenses.
A distinction is made between three types of cyber security threats:
Cybercrime: This includes groups or individual actors who attack systems for financial gain or to disrupt their business operations.
Cyberattacks: Cyberattacks are crimes committed by perpetrators that are often politically motivated. The focus is on the goal of obtaining information.
Cyberterrorism: In this case, perpetrators subvert electronic systems in order to spread fear.
Common methods used to undermine the cybersecurity of a computer system are as follows:
Malware is the abbreviation for "malicious software". Malware is one of the most common cyber threats. It is software written to damage or disable a computer system. It is often distributed via email attachments or downloads. Cybercriminals use malware to get money or they pursue political goals.
There are different types of malware. These include viruses, for example, which are self-replicating programs that infect clean files and then gradually infect other files with a malicious code. Another variant is Trojans, which masquerade as trustworthy software and, once uploaded to a computer, damage the system or steal data.
The category of malware also includes spyware, which is used to spy on credit card data, for example, and ransomware, which blocks a user until he pays a ransom. While adware is usually more annoying than harmful, but can also be used to spread malware, botnets are computer networks that can be used to perform actions without user consent.
SQL stands for Structured Language Query. Such an attack aims to steal information from databases. Cybercriminals gain access to the confidential data by exploiting vulnerabilities in data-driven programs and then inserting them into the database via malicious codes.
Phishing emails are emails sent by cybercriminals to their victims. For example, the emails pretend to be from a well-known company and request confidential information. Phishing attacks are designed to trick people into giving out personal information such as credit card details.
In this case, cybercriminals intercept messages or emails to illegally obtain data. Thus, in unsecured Wi-Fi networks, theft of data exchanged between a device and the network can occur.
In December 2019, the several governments and companies around the world were affected by the so-called Dridex malware attack. This is a financial Trojan that attacks computers via phishing emails or malware. The Trojan can steal passwords and personal data such as bank access. The damage caused from the subsequent fraudulent transactions was huge.
This is a relatively new, sophisticated Trojan that has the ability to collect data and load malware. Insecure passwords are particularly vulnerable to the Trojan.
Global cyberthreats are evolving very quickly, so the number of data sets attacked and data breaches is increasing every year. Among these, most attacks hit retailers, medical services and government agencies. The financial and healthcare industries in particular are attractive to cybercriminals because they collect a lot of interesting data. Nevertheless, companies of all kinds should be aware that they can be targeted – especially for their customer data and for industrial espionage reasons.
At a time when people are storing ever greater amounts of data on Internet-connected devices, the potential for cybercrime is also increasing. If criminals gain access to sensitive data such as passwords or financial data, this can jeopardize the entire IT security of the company. There is a risk that the information could be leaked or that passwords could be used to steal money.
In addition, careless handling of data security can call into question the DSGVO conformity and thus the entire compliance of companies. Therefore, companies need proper security measures to protect their data, finances, as well as intellectual property. With a well-developed cyber protection, there is no longer an increased risk that unauthorized users could access networks or data. This helps to protect their own profitability, employees as well as end users.
Attacks on cybersecurity are increasing, becoming more dangerous and costing the victims of the attacks more and more. The topics of data security and cyber security in production are therefore playing an increasingly important role for industrial companies. Companies would do well to take preventive measures and plan their cyber security in the form of appropriate guidelines for the long term. Suitable measures include holding IT security training sessions for all employees in addition to the appropriate security software. In addition, high-revenue companies in particular should consider taking out cyber protection insurance.