Operational technology (OT) provides a wealth of benefits for manufacturing companies. Unfortunately, it can also provide new vulnerabilities for hackers to exploit. OT devices aren’t new. However, they are new to the external linking technology of modern communication systems. In the past, these devices didn’t require security measures designed to protect them from outside threats. Unfortunately, this means that manufacturing companies often still use them with the same lack of security practices. While there are some concerns surrounding attacks that utilize OT devices as a way to gain access to a network, the implications of danger due to equipment sabotage are far more sinister. When devices are managed and controlled with the use of connected devices, there is potential for damage from malicious attackers with an intent to make devices behave harmfully.
IP Theft
The theft of intellectual property (IP) is a type of information theft more likely to go overlooked than the theft of customer data. Yet, it’s a serious crime that can damage a company significantly. Your company owns the intellectual property that makes your products or services innovative. That information can be valuable in a variety of ways. As cyberattackers learn new ways to enter a network without detection and discreetly move laterally throughout the system, the dangers of potential IP theft grow. Hackers can quietly mine the information they need over time and even exit the system without detection. This can lead to data that is stolen or altered without detection until your company’s trade secrets are used elsewhere.
