Security in Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) or Internet of Things (IoT) in general have become the most talked about topics in recent years, along with globalization and digitization. Somewhere all these terms are linked to one another.

Though there is no denying that IIoT and IoT in large have changed the face of how we look and use the internet today, providing great opportunities and helping businesses flourish and take things to the next level. There is also no denying that at the end of the day, there are still security and cybersecurity challenges that prevail, which in turn create a hindrance for businesses to achieve their full potential.

That is our topic for discussion today. Keep in mind that IIoT is a sub-category of a much large phenomenon called IoT. Understanding the current state, challenges, and threats of IIoT along with the steps we ought to take to be safe.

Prevailing Threats and Risks

IIoT undoubtedly is increasing productivity, but devices connected to the internet are always at a risk of being subject to cyber threats. Some of the current threats or challenges are as follows –

• Stuxnet   – A virus is a computer worm which spreads throughout the entire computer network and specific programs. A hidden virus, individuals will think their device is working just fine, but it introduces rootkits, making them infect the device,without the users realizing that the operations are hampered with. Research shows that Stuxnet has infected around 200,000 computers in process.
• Industroyer – Industroyer a malware is known to exploit legacy industrial protocols, which in the first place are designed without thinking about cybersecurity. In turn, when the in contact with the internet, this malware affects the entire system.
• Device Hijacking – Hijackers get control of the devices, in a way such that it may get difficult to detect. In turn, compromising data and the device as well.
• Permanent Denial of Service ( PDoS) – It is also known as phlashing, an attack which damages the device in a way that it needs to be either replaced or reinstalled.

Preventive Measures To Take

When dealing with the internet, there is always the risk of being attacked by viruses or having various other threats that can hamper the business continuity and affect the organization’s functioning. There is no running away from this, but there are always ways to prevent such attacks.

• Device connectivity layer segmentation
• Easy Password Management
• Advanced firmware security functions
• Mutual authentication
• End-to-end encryption
• Security lifecycle management
• Monitoring and analysis

The Future

The future for IIoT is bright and one which will bring in many opportunities for business advancement. But at the same time, the scare and risk of jeopardy always looms. Keeping a check on the security measures that are being taken is a constant process and one which will help minimize threats. Nexapp’s gateways and routers always prioritize security, making sure the data that is being transferred is safe from such risks. To find out more about Nexapp and its security measures, register for our newsletter at Nexapp Technologies.