Industry 4.0: Security imperatives for IoT — converging networks, increasing risks
This paper by DXC security consultant Shaun Bligh-Wall, which appeared in Henry Stewart Publications, discusses the security challenges and inherent risks that result from the Internet of Things and Industry 4.0 within the context of digital transformation. It discusses the explosive growth of devices and data, lack of standards, and ubiquitous adoption without due understanding of the need to consider the shift in implications. IoT and Industry 4.0 will accelerate the convergence of cloud, legacy IT and Operational Technology (OT) security. Securing data will be an imperative, as will a topdown approach to information security from governance to the individual, one that ensures it is a business enabler aligned to wider business strategy.
There is a buzz within the IT and manufacturing industries about the so-called ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’ — or as it is more commonly known, Industry 4.0. Currently, the excitement seems to be centred in Europe, but there is evidence that the concept is beginning to spread around the world.
There are many articles on the internet that describe the Fourth Industrial Revolution, but a reminder of each industrial phase may be useful. In addition to providing a refresher on the Industry 4.0 concept, this paper also provides some context.
The IoT explosion
It has been widely reported that there will be ubiquitous adoption of the Internet of Things as companies seek to transform into a digital business. The use of IoT will enable them to take advantage of the rich data streams that can be collected and analysed from myriad inexpensive sensors and devices. Estimates of the growth in IoT devices vary by billions, but you simply need to look around for proof points. You may even be wearing one.
The adoption of these sensors and devices will have a significant impact on traditional Operational Technology (OT) environments. Businesses are finding that IoT can deliver a shorter time to value and enable the enterprise to reach objectives in a way that could not be imagined previously.
It is estimated that some manufacturing organisations will allocate as much as 50 percent of their planned capital investment to Industry 4.0 projects, hoping to make significant gains in productivity and improve competitiveness on the world stage. Unwise IoT investments, therefore, carry a significant risk to an enterprise’s future well-being. That’s why prudent planning in keeping with wider business strategy and imperatives is paramount.
IoT and Industry 4.0 security challenges
The proliferation of IoT and adoption of Industrial Internet projects has given security professionals the opportunity to evaluate the new risks and vulnerabilities that are being introduced into organisations around the world. IoT and cybersecurity intersect with
a number of existing security disciplines.
These disciplines include: 1) Information Technology (IT Security) for protecting information systems; 2) Physical Security to protect buildings, offices, facilities and the like; and 3) Operational Technology (OT) security to protect operational systems
for plant automation and environmental monitoring systems. Securing IoT environments will require drawing from each
of these three disciplines. The combination of the elements shown in Figure 2 can be described as digital security.
Unfortunately, it is not unusual for new technologies to be introduced to the market without a robust set of security features,
and it may take some time before these are integral to IoT technologies. So what security challenges are hampering widespread adoption of IoT?
The first glaring problem is a lack of standards when it comes to IoT security features. A number of vendors and IoT developers are working on potential solutions, but there isn’t a standard solution yet that can apply to all devices and infrastructures. The problem is largely due to the limited processing power and capabilities of the devices; ‘traditional’ computers tend to use standardised operating systems and software and can be secured using tried and tested methods, but sensors and other IoT devices are not
governed by a common set of software tools and applications. This makes deploying robust security measures more difficult.
Learn more about how to prepare for:
- Distributed denial of service attacks
- IoT data breach challenges
- Secure IoT products
Read the full paper, Industry 4.0: Security Imperatives for IoT, to learn more about protecting connected systems in the age of digital transformation.