What are the security challenges of IIoT and Industry 4.0?
Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Industry 4.0 enable a higher degree of automation, improve productivity and efficiency and bring economic benefits. But with the expansion of IIoT, new security concerns arise. To avoid the risk of opening up for cyberattacks, industries and enterprises adopting IIoT have to increase the level of protection.
Questions we cover in this article
What is the difference between IoT and IIoT?
The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) refers to interconnected sensors, instruments, and networked devices connected to computers’ industrial applications. The connectivity allows for data collection, exchange, and analysis as well as a higher degree of automation by using cloud computing to refine and optimise the process controls.
What is the difference between IoT and IIoT? Both have the same main character of availability, intelligent and connected devices. The only difference is the usage and users. While IoT is commonly used by consumers, IIoT is used for industrial purposes such as manufacturing, supply chain monitoring and management systems.
What is the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4.0)?
The Fourth Industrial Revolution (or Industry 4.0) is the ongoing automation of traditional manufacturing and industrial practices using modern smart technology. Large-scale machine-to-machine communication (M2M) and the Internet of Things (IoT) are integrated for increased automation, improved communication and self-monitoring, and the production of smart machines that can analyse and diagnose issues without the need for human intervention. Without the connectivity and data that IIoT provides, Industry 4.0 would not exist, let alone impact efficiency.
What are the benefits of IIoT?
IIoT has many advantages. Here are the three most significant benefits:
Increased productivity and efficiency: This new type of connectivity allows for data collection, exchange, and analysis, potentially improving productivity and efficiency.
Improved quality: By reducing manual processes and entries, manufacturers can reduce the most significant risk associated with manual labour – human errors.
Reduced costs: IIoT solutions offer tools to reduce costs and generate more revenue. Data-driven insights into operations, production, marketing, sales, etc. can steer business operations in a more profitable direction.
As IIoT expands, new security concerns arise. Each new device or component that connects to IIoT is a potential liability. It can be difficult to maintain security amid increased connectivity.
Our solutions enable accelerated digitalisation without jeopardising the accessibility and integrity of the OT systems.
How should security challenges in IIoT be addressed?
Many security problems associated with IIoT stem from a lack of basic security measures in place. Security gaps like exposed ports, inadequate authentication practices, and obsolete applications contribute to the emergence of risks. To address this, solutions that can separate and control data flows are necessary. Deploying segmentation with high assurance solutions preserves physical separation between sensitive network systems while enabling completely secure communication. The result is high-level protection.
With this in place, logging security data is the next priority. By monitoring logins, failed login attempts, transactions, USB usage etc., effective preventive measures can be mapped out, and damage control can be taken without delay.
In short, the following solutions are necessary:
Physically separate IT and OT by using zoning
Use data diodes in the zone border for outbound data flows from OT
Apply allowlisting of information in the zone border
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FAQ
What is the main difference between IoT and IIoT?
The only difference is the usage and users. While IoT is commonly used by consumers, IIoT is used for industrial purposes such as manufacturing, supply chain monitoring and management systems.
Which sectors does Advenica specialise in?
Advenica provides cybersecurity solutions within encryption and network segmentation with the highest level of EU-and national approvals and specialises in the sectors of defence, authorities, infrastructure, and industry.
Why do you need to protect your information?
Availability: So that the Information is accessible whenever it is needed.
Integrity: So that we can trust that the information is correct and has not been tampered with, altered, or destroyed by unauthorized parties.
Confidentiality: So that authorised persons may take part in it.
What is the main purpose of cybersecurity?
The main purpose of cybersecurity is to protect systems, networks, and data from digital threats such as unauthorized access, cyberattacks, and data breaches. Cybersecurity helps organisations to ensure that their information remains confidential, accurate and available when needed.
How much does a data diode cost?
There are different types of data diodes with different functions, which also means that the costs can vary. Something that also can affect the price is if the data diode is certified.
Advenica’s data diodes have a unique certification, N3, in Sweden – Advenica are the only ones with this certification level in Sweden. N3 is a certification issued by the Swedish Armed Forces.
Advenica’s data diodes DD1000A and DD1000i are approved by the Swedish Armed Forces at component assurance level N3, which e.g. handles data up to and including level KVALIFICERAT HEMLIGT/TOP SECRET according to the Swedish Armed Forces’ “Krav på säkerhetsfunktioner” (KSF). So a higher cost for a data diode with a high certification will also give you much higher security.
Do you want to know more about our data diodes? Do not hesitate to contact us. We are at your service.
How does a data diode work?
A data diode allows data to move in only one direction using optical fiber with a sender and receiver. This prevents two-way communication, stopping cyberattacks, data leakage, and manipulation. Because it is hardware-based, it cannot be compromised by malicious software, helping protect the network’s confidentiality and integrity.
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Rickard Nilsson
COO
