11 Security Measures for Protecting Your Manufacturing Systems from Cyberattacks

11 Security Measures for Protecting Your Manufacturing Systems from Cyberattacks

Cybersecurity is one of the most essential needs in the world today. Many of us have heard of businesses closing. At the same time, some companies are paying enormous penalties. The reason might be that their systems encountered hacker infiltrations.

These risks target business owners and employees, as they could affect their livelihoods. With the growing threats to businesses, they should invest in protecting their systems. This article will identify security measures to protect systems from cyberattacks. Further, we will introduce the importance of operational technology and how it works.

What is a Cyberattack?

A cyberattack is a way to exploit your company’s network to extinguish your computer or data. This is what hackers do best. Preventing your data from cyberattacks is essential for every business today. Below are some examples of cyber-attacks that you might encounter.

• Hardware stealing (mobile phones and laptops)
• Exploring password
• Breach of access
• Identity theft
• Phishing, spyware, malware, and Trojan viruses
• Fraud and extortion
• Infiltrating your system
• Spoiling the website

These simple, practical cybersecurity guides can help you safeguard your business.

1. Invest in an OT (Operational Technology) Cybersecurity

One of the best cybersecurity protections is OT. It offers the best practices and procedures to prevent cyberattacks. OT helps detect, keep track of, and control changes in a system. It records the activities and processes happening on the industrial network. OT protects the business systems and networks against any suspicious attacks. OT will meet our need for high-quality security measures against cyberattacks.

OT asset management is essential. Businesses must be capable of having a consistent and proper classification. Their system manages the data, devices, networks, personnel, and facilities. The company must have a solid foundation to support the structural cybersecurity program.

Operational Technology management is vital to guarantee the safety of employees and customers. It is also essential since it could provide an operational cyber   security guide. It is also crucial for future requirements. An industrial organization should have a future-proof foundation. It can be achieved through monitoring, identifying, and controlling changes in all OT assets. Below are some features of OT asset management:

• OT asset management ensures the safety of unauthorized variations in a system. This is a need as online assets will impact the physical world in the OT environment.
• A durable cybersecurity platform must have precise asset records and security standards. Getting network history is vital for OT. It will report and record for recovery and backup if an unwanted incident occurs.
• Your company’s future is the most critical, as it is your livelihood. Operational technology will give you help with the following years’ compliance regulations.

You can generate a well-organized structure and process with Operational Technology Asset Management. You can shorten the recovery time if an undesirable incident happens. You will have an established recovery and backup foundation.

2. Use a Unique and Strong Password

• Your system password should be unique and challenging to guess.
• Do not use personal data.
• Never make the password the same for several accounts.
• Have a combination of characters, letters, and numbers.
• Change passwords from time to time.

A password policy is one of the best security practices a business could have. Encourage your employees to follow these steps. An example is a scheduled password reset.

3. Assign Authorized Personnel to Access your Data & System

• Your employees should only access data for which they have authority.
• Limit their access to data depending on their work position.
• Restrict websites that are not important or not included in your work.
• Do not give access to unauthorized users.
• Limit access to computer networks.

4. Keep track and update systems timely.

To prevent getting hacked, ensure that you update software and devices. Software updates carry significant security upgrades that help protect your system.

5. Install a Firewall

A firewall protects computers from the internet. It prevents viruses and malware from infiltrating your system. For firewalls to be effective, the installation should be correct. Ensure that it has undergone updates from time to time and is up-to-date, or it won’t work when needed.

6. Install Security Software on your System

These software security applications, such as anti-virus, anti-malware, and anti-spyware, are helpful. These programs detect and delete suspected codes that harm your network.

7. Install Intrusion Detectors

You can keep track of your system for unusual activities in your network. An alarm will be generated if your system detects a malicious security breach. Malicious emails go straight to the spam folder once they come from unusual senders.

8. Install UPS (Uninterruptible power supplies)

A UPS is a device that provides enough power to your desktop. This will allow you to save your data or network if power interruptions occur. Ensure the type of UPS is compatible with your system’s needs and standards. A UPS connection must be direct to all devices on the system and network. A standard surge protector is also needed. They are for use on devices without a network and less sensitive gadgets.

9. Create Encryption

Have full-disk encryption for sensitive information. This encryption will protect all your devices. Save a copy of the key in a secure place isolated from the stored backup.

10. Reformat before Disposal

Reformat or delete all hard drives before disposing of old computers. You have to clear out all valuable data installed on the desktop.

11. Employees’ Awareness

Your employees should also be responsible for the security of your business. They must follow the company’s policy and procedures about system confidentiality. Schedule cyber security awareness and training. This training will ensure employees are following best practices.

• Employees should know that permission for business is different from permission for personal use.
• They should treat business information with complete confidentiality.
• Employees must understand the measures to take if a cyberattack occurs.

Conclusion

Securing our personal, industrial, manufacturing, or business systems is essential nowadays. We need to close our doors to any damage or theft. Without these cybersecurity programs, our company cannot defend itself against hackers. We could be an easy target for cyberattacks.

This year, we are forecasting the progress of online security. An upsurge in cyber security compliance requirements will be continuous. We can prevent cyberattacks due to the progressive increase in threat detection tools.

Cybersecurity continued to classify, track, document, and manage the changes in every asset. Remember that we are living in a diverse world. We never know what others think. Our company might be our source of income, and it is for our employees too. Protecting our company is the same as saving the lives of our employees.