Wednesday, 07 October 2020 11:28

Majority of Industrial Enterprises Face Increase in Cyber Threats Since COVID-19 Pandemic Began

New Survey Reveals IT and OT Security Professionals’ Shifting Concerns, Attitudes, and Experiences During Pandemic

VENDOR NEWS: Claroty, the global leader in operational technology (OT) security, today released updated research on the state of industrial cybersecurity worldwide, which found that a majority (56%) of information technology (IT) and OT security professionals at industrial enterprises have seen an increase in cybersecurity threats since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March. Additionally, 70% have seen cyber criminals using new tactics to target their organisations in this timeframe.

The Critical Convergence of IT and OT Security in a Global Crisis report is based on a global, independent survey of 1,100 full-time IT and OT security professionals who own, operate, or otherwise support critical infrastructure components within large enterprises across Europe, North America and Asia Pacific, examining how their concerns, attitudes, and experiences have changed since the pandemic began in March.

Responses from IT and OT security professionals in Australia and New Zealand reveal:

  • Almost 65% said their IT and OT networks are “completely connected,” yet only 8% are prioritising OT security
  • 81% agree IT and OT have become more connected and 92% agree they will become even more connected as a result of the pandemic
  • 81% have found the collaboration between the IT and OT teams within their organisation more challenging during the pandemic

Across the globe, COVID-19 has led cyber criminals to use new tactics and organisations to become more vulnerable to cyber attacks, with 56% of global respondents saying that their organisation has experienced more cyber security threats since the pandemic began. Further, almost three-fourths (72%) reported that their jobs have become more challenging.

COVID-19 has clearly had an impact on IT/OT convergence, as two-thirds (67%) say that their IT and OT networks have become more interconnected since the pandemic began and more than 75% expect they will become even more interconnected as a result of it. While IT/OT convergence unlocks business value in terms of operations efficiency, performance, and quality of services, it can also be detrimental because threats – both targeted and non-targeted – can move freely between IT and OT environments.

“While we would be short-sighted to think that we won’t have more challenges as we continue to face unknowns from this pandemic, protecting critical infrastructure is especially important in a time of crisis,” said Yaniv Vardi, CEO of Claroty.

“As large enterprises are trying to improve their productivity by connecting more OT and IoT devices and remotely accessing their industrial networks, they are also increasing their exposure as a result. OT security needs to be brought to the fore and made a priority for all organisations. Attackers know that IT networks are covered with cyber security solutions so they’re moving to exploit vulnerabilities in OT to gain access to enterprise networks. Not protecting OT is like protecting a house with state-of-the-art security and alarm systems, but then leaving the front door open.”

In terms of industries, globally the respondents ranked pharmaceutical, oil & gas, electric utilities, manufacturing, and building management systems as the top five most vulnerable to attack. Most regions followed similar patterns, identifying three to five industries clustered closely toward the top of the list. The exceptions are the DACH region, where oil & gas clearly holds the top spot at 36%, and Singapore, where pharmaceutical is at 22%.

Claroty improves the availability, safety, and reliability of OT assets and networks within industrial enterprises and critical infrastructure. The Claroty Platform provides comprehensive OT asset and network visibility, segmentation, vulnerability management, threat detection, risk assessment, and Secure Remote Access (SRA) capabilities  — all within a single, agentless solution. Unique to Claroty, SRA provides a single, secure, and clientless interface through which all external users connect prior to performing software upgrades, periodic maintenance, and other support activities on assets within OT networks. This is all enriched by the company’s award-winning OT security research department. 

For in-depth analysis into the findings, along with full survey data, The Critical Convergence of IT and OT Security in a Global Crisis report is available here

About Claroty 

Claroty bridges the industrial cybersecurity gap between information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) environments. Organisations with highly automated production sites and factories that face significant security and financial risk especially need to bridge this gap. Armed with Claroty’s converged IT/OT solutions, these enterprises and critical infrastructure operators can leverage their existing IT security processes and technologies to improve the availability, safety, and reliability of their OT assets and networks seamlessly and without requiring downtime or dedicated teams. The result is more uptime and greater efficiency across business and production operations. 

Backed and adopted by leading industrial automation vendors, Claroty is deployed on all seven continents globally. The company is headquartered in New York City and has received $100 million in funding since being launched by the famed Team8 foundry in 2015. For more information, visit www.claroty.com.  

Read 2811 times

Please join our community here and become a VIP.

Subscribe to ITWIRE UPDATE Newsletter here
JOIN our iTWireTV our YouTube Community here
BACK TO LATEST NEWS here




WOMEN IN PROCESS MINING VIRTUAL EVENT

Enterprises are looking to integrate AI into process mining to future proof their operations.

The recently formed Australian chapter of Women in Process Mining (WIPM) is hosting a Zoom event from 1pm to 2pm on November 14 on the topic Using AI for Process Optimisation.

WIPM is a community designed for women in process mining; to strengthen their leadership, magnify their influence, and pave the way for process mining together.

The event is being hosted by Chapter Leads Kanika Goel, PhD, Claudia M., and Susana Zavaleta, with special guest speaker Jack Basley from global process mining leader Celonis

Register for the Zoom event now!

REGISTER!

PROMOTE YOUR WEBINAR ON ITWIRE

It's all about Webinars.

Marketing budgets are now focused on Webinars combined with Lead Generation.

If you wish to promote a Webinar we recommend at least a 3 to 4 week campaign prior to your event.

The iTWire campaign will include extensive adverts on our News Site itwire.com and prominent Newsletter promotion https://itwire.com/itwire-update.html and Promotional News & Editorial. Plus a video interview of the key speaker on iTWire TV https://www.youtube.com/c/iTWireTV/videos which will be used in Promotional Posts on the iTWire Home Page.

Now we are coming out of Lockdown iTWire will be focussed to assisting with your webinars and campaigns and assistance via part payments and extended terms, a Webinar Business Booster Pack and other supportive programs. We can also create your adverts and written content plus coordinate your video interview.

We look forward to discussing your campaign goals with you. Please click the button below.

MORE INFO HERE!

BACK TO HOME PAGE

Related items

  • Predicting the future of cybersecurity for 2025 Predicting the future of cybersecurity for 2025

    The cybersecurity landscape is poised for transformative shifts in 2025 driven by technological innovation and evolving threats. As cybercriminals become more sophisticated, organisations must stay ahead by proactively adopting strategies that prioritise identity security and business resiliency. CyberArk area VP ANZ Thomas Fikentscher outlines his key cybersecurity predictions highlighting a singular truth: businesses must prioritise robust, forward-thinking security measures to stay ahead in an increasingly complex digital environment.

  • Balancing security and customer experience: 4 tips for fraud prevention during peak seasons Balancing security and customer experience: 4 tips for fraud prevention during peak seasons

    GUEST OPINION:  Consumers spend billions during the end-of-year shopping season, with businesses on Stripe processing over AUD 47 billion globally over the Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend. Pre-Christmas sales in Australia are expected to grow by 2.7% from last year. With increased activity meaning the potential for more fraud, one important way retailers can make the most of this time of year is to ensure they have measures in place to prevent fraudulent activity while also not deterring customers. 

  • Amazon CISO CJ Moses gives rare interview Amazon CISO CJ Moses gives rare interview

    GUEST INTERVIEW:  CJ Moses moves out of the shadows to discuss day-to-day issues at one of the world’s most scrutinised companies

  • RLAN and WA WBB to share upper 6 GHz band in Australia RLAN and WA WBB to share upper 6 GHz band in Australia

    The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has determined that Radio Local Are Network (RLAN) and Wide Area Wireless Broadband (WA WBB) services should share the upper 6 GHz wireless spectrum band following publication of two papers by the ACMA this week.

Share News tips for the iTWire Journalists? Your tip will be anonymous

Subscribe to Newsletter

*  Enter the security code shown: img0