Breaches impacting critical infrastructure serve as valuable reminders to organizations of the need for robust and evolving cybersecurity governance, security tools deployments, processes, procedures, and training. Here are some key takeaways from past breaches that every company with critical infrastructure should consider:
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Never underestimate the basics
Many cyber breaches stem from simple, preventable mistakes—weak or shared passwords, outdated software, unsecure and misconfigured networks being among the most common culprits. Addressing these basics is a foundational step in strengthening your security posture.
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Breaches not targeted at OT can still affect operations
It’s a common misconception that breaches affecting operational technology (OT) are always deliberate. In reality, most breaches weren’t explicitly aimed at OT systems. Instead, they began as IT breaches that spread to OT environments due to poorly designed or configured networks. This highlights the importance of strong network segmentation and robust configuration management to prevent cross-domain risks.
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Be proactive, not reactive
A reactive approach to cybersecurity often means responding after the damage is done. Previous breaches highlight the importance of being well-prepared. Shifting to a proactive mindset allows organizations to identify and mitigate risks before they escalate into full-scale incidents.
Having a solid incident response plan in place and tested means that sites are not reacting to incidents as they occur, but are proactively prepared, with security measures prioritized and targeted to the specific risks identified in advance.
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People are just as important as technology
Even the most advanced cybersecurity tools are ineffective without trained personnel to effectively use them. It’s like having a high-performance car: it’s only as safe as the driver behind the wheel. Ensuring that employees at all levels are educated about cybersecurity threats and adequately trained to use security tools is just as vital as having the tools themselves.
Effective governance plays a crucial role in this. Clear policies, standards, and structured processes should be established to manage cybersecurity tasks on a daily basis. These governance elements ensure that employees understand their roles and responsibilities, follow standardized procedures, and are held accountable for their actions. This includes establishing protocols for incident response, access control, and regular security checks, ensuring everyone knows what to do, how to do it, and when to act, to maintain a secure environment.
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Preparation and vigilance are key
The overarching lesson from recent incidents, such as ransomware, is simple: preparation is everything. A proactive, consequence-driven approach ensures that organizations are not only responding to the threat landscape but are also prepared to mitigate the impact of any potential breach before it happens.
A consequence-based risk assessments are crucial for this preparation. By evaluating the potential impact of breaches, organizations can prioritize assets and implement tailored security measures. This ensures that they can effectively mitigate risks before they escalate. Success in cybersecurity relies on having the right mix of processes, procedures, and tools—and ensuring everyone in your organization knows how to use them effectively.
As organizations grow and change, so too does the complexity of their infrastructure, which introduces new potential attack vectors. Vigilance must also be an ongoing priority.
Building a resilient cybersecurity strategy
Especially for companies with critical infrastructure, these lessons highlight the need for a holistic approach to cybersecurity. By addressing the basics, securing networks, empowering teams, and planning proactively, organizations can significantly reduce their risk of breaches. The stakes are high, but the path forward is clear.
