Cybersecurity awareness month

The lack of any large cyber incidents doesn’t mean things are still deep under. Instead, this could well be the lull before a cyberstorm.     Earlier this week, Iran-linked APT group Charming Kitten (aka Ballistic Bobcat APT, APT35, and Phosphorus) initiated a fresh cyber espionage campaign targeting 14 countries across the globe. The objective of these attacks was to exfiltrate data and to open backdoors for long-term espionage.   Telemetric analysis conducted by Sectrio’s Threat Research Team revealed a higher level of APT 35 activity than ever before with governments, healthcare institutions, oil and gas, and manufacturing entities being targeted. The group is targeting these entities at two levels one is by attacking exchange servers and two by sending large-scale phishing campaigns using ‘critical media updates’ as the subject line.   In addition to this, certain groups are also scaling up their reconnaissance attacks taking advantage of the distraction that has been created by the large-scale DDoS and defacing attacks carried out by other groups. This is a pattern that we have often seen in the past where website defacing attacks are often used to cover targeted attacks.      As conflicts in the Middle East and Eastern Europe draw on, information warfare, or more specifically information held for ransom could become a game-changer for the parties involved. This is why we have not seen any major cyber incidents occurring since the latest outbreak of hostilities. However, knowing cyberspace, things could escalate quickly if the information already pilfered is put to use by the threat actor concerned or by their backers.       Cyberspace realities: Change in tactics Unlike past geopolitical conflicts where cyberspace was impacted almost immediately, the biggest impact this time around has been limited to DDoS attacks on websites and the compromise of social accounts. That’s how most of the attacks panned out. However, reconnaissance and data exfiltration attacks on businesses have also grown but not as significantly as the DDoS attacks.   To-do list for CISOs and Security leaders Thus, things might escalate quickly reducing your time to respond. Here is an immediate to-do list for you as a CISO or a security leader:   How sectrio can help Sectrio is a one stop solution to secure all the above needs and requirements. Reach out to us and find out how sectrio can help secure your organization today.

In the past few years, it has been seen that industrial control systems (ICSs) are also vulnerable to cybersecurity incidents. As a result, organizations have become increasingly aware of their vulnerabilities, which has led to the deployment of security measures to boost the cybersecurity of their networks and devices. However, a persistent issue remains – a need for more knowledge regarding the extent and total number of assets these organizations hold. With no comprehensive guidelines on the nature and scope of the assets possessed by an organization, it becomes challenging to implement security measures. Without knowing the full scope, it becomes challenging to secure all devices effectively, leaving some vulnerable and unprotected. Adhering to the age-old adage that ‘a chain is only as strong as its weakest link,’ we can infer that failing to secure all assets uniformly renders these security measures inadequate. As a result, it is highly significant to create a complete set of guidelines on asset inventory management, covering all assets involved in the operational process to counter cyber threats. If executed meticulously, this inventory will compile detailed information for each asset, including software or firmware versions that may have been installed. This information will enable organizations to manage vulnerabilities effectively, take all necessary steps to investigate, and provide adequate responses. This blog describes the different types of asset inventories that can be generated. It will also provide information on the tools that can be used to create them and give a step-by-step guide on how to manage these inventories effectively and accurately. However, before getting into the specifics of asset inventory, let us understand the significance of OT/ICS in a nutshell. For any industry, OT/ICS is the lifeblood, covering all essential segments like manufacturing, energy production, transportation, and more. They are the brains that control all systems, from the power grid in a city to conveyor belts in a factory. Without these systems, the world as we know it would come to a halt.  What Is Asset Inventory Management? Asset inventory management is the meticulous process of cataloging, tracking, and maintaining an up-to-date record of all the assets within the OT/ICS environment. That being said, the assets in question can include anything from programmable logic controllers (PLCs) to sensors, actuators, and even software systems. In short, it’s the same as making a complete inventory of every tool in a chef’s kitchen. Here is a list of the information that an OT/ICS asset inventory typically contains: Why Is It Crucial? You may be wondering why such thorough record-keeping is required. Well, here’s the crux of the matter: assets within OT/ICS are not just tools; they are the lifeline of operations. They are like the vital organs of a living organism. To keep things functioning well, you have to understand each asset’s condition, location, and function. The Role of Asset Inventory Management Asset inventory management serves several critical roles in the world of OT/ICS: Reliability Assurance: By keeping tabs on the condition of assets, organizations can schedule maintenance and replacements proactively, ensuring minimal downtime and maximum efficiency. Security Enhancement: In an age where cyber threats are ever-looming, knowing your assets inside out is essential for strengthening the cybersecurity of these systems. It is similar to building a fort with no internal flaws. Compliance Adherence: Different industries have specific regulations and standards to follow. Maintaining an accurate asset inventory helps organizations stay compliant with these rules, avoiding costly penalties. Risk Mitigation: Unexpected situations can arise, like equipment failures or security breaches, that can wreak havoc. Asset inventory management helps you identify and mitigate such risks, thus allowing organizations to be prepared for the worst at all times. Recommended reading: How to get started with OT security In crux, asset inventory management is the watchful guardian of the OT/ICS world, ensuring everything runs smoothly and securely. It’s the difference between chaos and order, vulnerability and resilience. What Are the Types of Asset Inventory? There are several types of asset inventories that organizations may use, depending on their specific needs and the nature of their assets. Here are the most common types of asset inventories: Type of Asset Inventory Description Physical Asset Inventory Tracks tangible assets like machinery and equipment. Digital Asset Inventory Manages software, licenses, and digital content. Fixed Asset Inventory Monitors long-term assets like buildings and major equipment. Movable Asset Inventory Tracks easily relocatable assets like laptops and mobile devices. IT Asset Inventory Manages IT resources, including servers and software licenses. Financial Asset Inventory Tracks investments, securities, and financial holdings. Personnel Asset Inventory Manages human resources, skills, and training records. Inventory of Consumables Monitors consumable items like raw materials and office supplies. Software Asset Inventory Manages software licenses, installations, and updates. Intangible Asset Inventory Tracks non-physical assets like patents and copyrights. Facility Asset Inventory Focuses on building and facility assets like HVAC systems. Transportation Asset Inventory Tracks vehicles and assets in transportation and logistics. What are the Steps to Creating an Asset Inventory in ICS? Creating an asset inventory in ICS  involves several key steps to ensure that all assets are accurately identified, tracked, and managed. Here are the essential steps to create an asset inventory in ICS: Define the scope: Clearly delineate the boundaries of your ICS environment, including all interconnected systems, subsystems, and networks. Define what is within its scope and what is outside of it. Gather stakeholder input: Engage with various departments, such as operations, IT, maintenance, and security teams, to understand their needs and priorities regarding asset identification and management. Identify asset categories: Create asset categories that align with your organizational goals. For example, categories might include “Control Systems,” “Networking Equipment,” “Physical Devices,” and “Software Applications.” Asset Discovery: Implement network scanning tools that can identify assets automatically. These tools should provide information about asset IP addresses, MAC addresses, and open ports. Manual Verification: Not all assets may be discoverable through automated scans. Perform physical inspections to identify assets that might be offline, hidden, or not connected to the network. Asset Documentation: Create a comprehensive

Have you ever wondered about the hidden chinks in the armor of your operational technology systems? In the interconnected web of technology, where the digital landscape extends its reach into every corner of our lives, safeguarding data and systems has never been more crucial. This is especially true regarding Operational Technology (OT), the silent sentinel that oversees the vital functions of industries and infrastructures worldwide. Imagine power plants humming with life, assembly lines in synchronized motion, and transportation systems moving seamlessly, all orchestrated by the intricate dance of OT. Yet, amid this balance of efficiency and productivity lies an unseen battlefield – a digital frontier where vulnerabilities could turn harmony into chaos.  Welcome to Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) in Operational Technology.  In this blog, you’ll learn how to identify weaknesses in your vital infrastructure and combat potential cyber threats. In a time when technological progress offers unmatched potential, it also invites unimaginable risks. The potency of Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) becomes apparent in this situation. Understanding OT Vulnerabilities OT forms the backbone of industries and infrastructures, governing processes that range from power generation to transportation. Yet a vulnerability landscape lurks beneath the facade of seamless operations, waiting for an opportunity to disrupt.  OT Vulnerabilities: The Unseen Threats Operational technology encompasses many physical devices, control systems, and networks. These systems control critical processes, making them a prime target for cyberattacks. The vulnerabilities that plague OT environments can stem from various sources, potentially undermining safety, efficiency, and functionality. Legacy Technology: Many OT systems were designed before cybersecurity became a paramount concern. This legacy technology often lacks the built-in security measures present in modern systems, making them vulnerable to attacks. Lack of Regular Updates: Unlike consumer technology, OT systems may not receive regular updates or patches. This absence of updates leaves security gaps that attackers can exploit. Proprietary Protocols: OT often relies on proprietary communication protocols unique to specific industries. While these protocols enhance efficiency, they can also obscure vulnerabilities from common security assessments. Impact on Critical Infrastructure The consequences of exploiting OT vulnerabilities extend far beyond the digital realm. Consider a scenario where an attacker gains unauthorized access to a power plant’s control system. They might tamper with the settings by exploiting weaknesses, resulting in power outages or equipment damage. This poses a possible risk to both public safety and the economy in addition to being an inconvenience. Furthermore, the ripple effect of an OT breach can extend to other sectors that depend on the affected infrastructure. A single breach could trigger a chain of disruptions, potentially causing widespread chaos. Bridging the Gap: IT vs. OT One of the challenges in understanding OT vulnerabilities lies in the different approaches to cybersecurity between Information Technology (IT) and OT. While IT focuses on data security and confidentiality, OT prioritizes the uninterrupted functioning of physical processes. This discrepancy can lead to blind spots in security measures, exposing OT systems. To complicate matters, IT and OT often share networks due to cost-saving measures. This convergence introduces vulnerabilities in both systems, as attacks could migrate from one to the other. Recommended Reading: Getting started with OT security Understanding the vulnerabilities in Operational Technology is the first step toward securing critical systems. By recognizing the challenges posed by legacy technology, the lack of updates, and the unique landscape of OT, we gain insight into the vulnerabilities attackers seek to exploit.  The Significance of Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) in Operational Technology (OT) The marriage of digital technology with physical processes creates a unique challenge that traditional security measures struggle to address. This is where Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) is a guardian of reliability, safety, and operational continuity. Protecting the Heartbeat of Industries Operational Technology serves as the heartbeat of critical infrastructure. Whether it’s the controlled flow of electricity, the precision of manufacturing, or the orchestration of transportation, OT’s influence is undeniable. Yet, as industries rely increasingly on interconnected systems, the potential for cyber threats to infiltrate and disrupt these processes grows exponentially. While essential, traditional security methods, like firewalls and antivirus software, fall short in the face of rapidly evolving cyber tactics. Here, VAPT emerges as the linchpin of defense. By proactively identifying vulnerabilities and simulating attacks, VAPT exposes weak points that adversaries could exploit, enabling timely remediation. The Limitations of Traditional Security The limitations of traditional security measures in OT environments become apparent when we consider the unique characteristics of these systems. Unlike Information Technology (IT), where data protection is paramount, OT focuses on maintaining the continuity and reliability of physical operations. The primary concern isn’t just data breaches but potential operational disruptions that could have cascading effects. VAPT bridges the gap between traditional security and the specific needs of OT. It assesses the cybersecurity landscape through the lens of operational impact, highlighting vulnerabilities that might otherwise go unnoticed by generic security measures. The VAPT Approach: Proactive Defense Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing don’t wait for attackers to strike. Instead, they adopt a proactive stance. Here’s how each component contributes to the robust defense of OT systems: Vulnerability Assessment (VA): This phase systematically identifies vulnerabilities across the OT environment. Automated scans and manual analysis uncover potential weak points, whether they stem from outdated software, configuration errors, or undiscovered backdoors. Penetration Testing (PT): With insights from the VA, the PT phase simulates attacks in controlled environments. Ethical hackers attempt to exploit identified vulnerabilities, mimicking the tactics of real attackers. The goal is to understand how these vulnerabilities could be leveraged and assess their impact. A Unified Defense Strategy VAPT’s significance lies in its ability to unite IT and OT security efforts. The collaboration between these two traditionally separate domains is vital to safeguarding the convergence of digital and physical processes. VAPT testing ensures that security measures don’t inadvertently disrupt operational functionality, striking a delicate balance that secures without hindering. In a landscape where the stakes are as tangible as digital, VAPT serves as a vigilant watchman, detecting vulnerabilities that could

“Is our critical infrastructure truly secure in the face of ever-evolving cyber risks and insider threats?” This question resonates with an urgency that cannot be disregarded in a world where technology is woven into every facet of our existence. The pulse of modern industries relies on the seamless convergence of Operational Technology (OT) and digital systems. While this fusion promises efficiency and progress, it also opens the floodgates to potential cyber vulnerabilities that could cripple vital infrastructure. Recommended Reading: How to get started with OT security As industries become increasingly interconnected, the need for robust security measures has birthed the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 800-82 Revision 2 (R2) and Revision 3 (R3). These seminal documents offer more than just guidelines; they are a beacon guiding OT security professionals in safeguarding our critical systems from digital perils. In the subsequent sections, you’ll embark on a journey deep into the heart of NIST 800-82 R2/R3. You’ll explore its significance and practical implementation and understand how it weaves a protective cocoon around our operational technology landscape.  This is not just a technical endeavor; it’s a call to action, a rallying cry to ensure that our industries stand fortified against the tides of cyber threats. Let’s unravel the layers of NIST 800-82 R2/R3 and discover how its wisdom can pave the way to a safer digital future and be a practical guide for OT security professionals. Understanding the Significance of NIST 800-82 R2/R3 Framework Picture a world where power grids, manufacturing plants, and transportation networks suddenly come to a grinding halt. The lights go out, production lines cease their rhythmic hum, and vehicles stall on highways. The very fabric of our modern society frays at the edges, all because of a few lines of malicious code.  This scenario isn’t a dystopian fantasy; it’s a chilling reality that underscores the fragility of our critical infrastructure in the face of cyber threats. Operational technology, the backbone of these infrastructural giants, wields the power to shape economies and societies. Yet, this power also paints a bullseye on its back. As the world transitions into the digital era, the convergence of Information Technology (IT) and OT systems opens Pandora’s box of vulnerabilities.  It’s a landscape where an attack on a single OT component could trigger a cascading catastrophe affecting countless lives. NIST 800-82 R2/R3 Framework:  The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 800-82 R2/R3 framework offers a comprehensive roadmap designed to empower OT security professionals with the necessary guidance to secure their infrastructure. NIST 800-82 R2: Built on Experience, Forged by Challenges The evolution from the original NIST 800-82 to Revision 2 is a testament to the rapid transformation of the threat landscape. Every breach, every incident, and every challenge that emerged since the inception of the original framework has been meticulously woven into the fabric of R2. It’s a living document, breathing in past lessons to arm us against present and future threats. NIST 800-82 R3: Holistic Resilience in a Digital Age But NIST didn’t stop there. With the emergence of Revision 3, the framework blossoms into a more holistic approach, emphasizing risk management, resilience, and adaptability. R3 encourages us to transcend the traditional notions of security and embrace a mindset that anticipates, mitigates, and recovers from threats. It underscores the urgent need for organizations to not only shield themselves but also to build a shield that evolves and strengthens over time. The Essence of NIST 800-82 R2/R3 Template These documents transcend technical jargon; they encapsulate a philosophy that acknowledges the dynamic interplay between technology, strategy, and human behavior.  In a world where change is the only constant, NIST 800-82 R2/R3 becomes the rock on which organizations can build their defenses. It’s a promise that, regardless of the shape-shifting nature of cyber threats, we stand united with a framework that equips us with the right strategies to secure what matters most. Key Components of NIST 800-82 R2/R3 Risk Management: Illuminating the Path Ahead In OT security, ignorance is not bliss—it’s a ticking time bomb.  NIST 800-82 R2/R3 acknowledges this reality and places risk management at the very core of its philosophy. It’s a call to arms, urging OT security professionals to proactively identify vulnerabilities and assess threats before they manifest into full-blown crises. Categorizing Assets: Know Your Terrain Imagine embarking on a journey without a map. Chaos would reign, and progress would be hampered by uncertainty. Similarly, in the world of OT security, understanding the lay of the land is paramount.  NIST 800-82 R2/R3 advocates for the meticulous categorization of assets—both physical and digital. This comprehensive inventory lays the foundation for effective risk assessment, enabling security professionals to identify potential weak points and allocate resources where they matter most. Security Controls: Building the Bastions While risk assessment is the compass, security controls are the fortress walls. NIST 800-82 R2/R3 presents a comprehensive list of security controls and countermeasures that collectively bolster the defense mechanisms of OT systems.  From access control and network segmentation to intrusion detection and incident response, each control serves as a sentinel, vigilant against threats that may attempt to breach the barriers. Layered Defense: The Power of Synergy The strength of NIST 800-82 R2/R3 lies in its emphasis on a layered approach to security. It recognizes that a single defense mechanism is insufficient to thwart the myriad of threats lurking in the digital landscape.  Just as a medieval castle featured multiple layers of walls, moats, and gates, OT systems must employ diverse security measures that, when combined, create a formidable defense against adversaries. Adaptive Strategies: Navigating the Unknown In the world of cybersecurity, stagnation is akin to defeat. NIST 800-82 R2/R3 champions the concept of adaptability—a strategy that acknowledges the dynamic nature of threats and the need to evolve defenses in response.  By incorporating the principles of continuous monitoring, organizations can swiftly detect anomalies, assess their potential impact, and recalibrate defenses to address emerging threats. Practical Implementation of NIST 800-82 R2/R3 Building the Foundation: Asset Inventory and Management Imagine