Defending Critical Infrastructure Against Cyber Attacks: A Comprehensive Guide
Protecting critical infrastructure from cyber threats is a matter of national security and societal function. With increasing reports of cyber attacks on important sectors of our society, the need for effective defense strategies is more apparent than ever. In this article, we discuss the recent trends in cyber crime, vulnerabilities in critical infrastructures, and effective measures to secure our environments against these threats.
Understanding the Importance of Critical Infrastructure
According to senior solution architect at SIS, Alexandra Weaver, there are 16 critical infrastructure sectors as defined by the government. In 2021, 14 out these sectors experienced ransomware attacks, underscoring the vital need for refined defense strategies. With identities being the 'keys to our kingdom,' it is crucial to guard these assets; the duty falls to directory administrators in various sectors of society and the economy.
Infamous Cyber Attacks on Critical Infrastructure
- Colonial Pipelines: This attack crippled the eastern seaboard, wreaking havoc on fuel and jet fuel prices.
- Ukraine's Power Grid: A significant part of a town’s power grid was shut off during winter months, leaving numerous households in the cold.
- Universal Health Services: Over 400 hospitals were severely impacted, which led to old school pen-paper methods being employed and services being rerouted.
The Existence of Vulnerabilities in our Systems
Most of our critical infrastructures are legacy environments, initially designed with levers or buttons and are now managed by third-party applications. The rapid internet advancements have made these environments vulnerable due to unforeseen attack vectors. Coupled with the fact that all data have value, these defense nuances require a more significant consideration.
Defense Strategies: Protections and Challenges
Implementing Data Classification
As we navigate through these challenges, implementing data classification is a crucial step in securing our environments. The process involves categorizing the information, reviewing who has access, and determining what protection policies are in place. It provides a strategic way of identifying what information is critical to the business.
Developing Tiered Structures
Implementing tiered structures allows us to prioritize systems based on their classification as critical. It aids in identifying what needs to be restored first in case of a breach, thereby allowing for quick incident resolution.
Deploying Zero Trust
The concept of "Zero Trust" is an integral part of security that involves constant checks and verifications of user authorizations and access. Despite the trust ultimately placed in either the user, service, or device during authentication, regular audits minimize system vulnerabilities.
Employing Defense-In-Depth And Layered Security Strategies
Defense-in-depth and layered security tactics are often employed to strengthen the protection of our environments. The former approach involves setting up multiple security mechanisms such as firewalls, strong passwords, and patch management at different points in the network. Conversely, the latter is about deploying redundant products to achieve a similar purpose. While the two are similar, they offer complementary and intertwined benefits.
The Continuity Of Cyber Crime
Cyber crime, specifically ransomware, has become a major concern in our digital ecosystem. It is easily deployable and increasingly sophisticated, with attackers demanding ransom at every stage. Social engineering, the most common form of cyber crime, is becoming more complex with more tools and techniques at the disposal of cyber criminals.
Conclusion
As the perimeters of our networks continue to evolve, our security measures must adapt to the new landscape. We have seen the damaging effects of unsecured infrastructures on our societies and economies. Thus, we need to deploy advanced defense mechanisms to outpace the attackers. Strategies involving people, process, and technology are a step in the right direction for a more secure infrastructure.
Keep in mind; this is a continuous effort. In the evolving world of cyber threats, we always need to stay a step ahead. To have any questions about active directory security answered or to delve more into defending critical infrastructure, feel free to reach out on Linkedin.