Talk to us to ensure you don’ t miss a single issue!
INSIGHT
Securing the future: cybersecurity in the digital age
By Robyn Grimsley
In the information age, information is a valuable commodity, and with increasing digitisation comes an increased need for digital security. The recent headlines generated by the WannaCry ransomware reinforced the importance of cybersecurity, particularly for global operations.
While most people are aware of the potential for cyberattacks and the importance of cybersecurity in a general way, the recent outbreak of the WannaCry ransomware in May made international headlines, as it affected hospitals, banks, universities, automotive companies( including Nissan and Renault), manufacturing plants, telecommunications companies( including Telkom), and even government ministries.
One of the companies affected by the outbreak was Sandvik, a global engineering group specialising in materials technology, mining, and construction. Computers handling both administration and production for the company in multiple countries were affected, and some production was forced to stop.
Although the effects of this particular attack were relatively minor, they highlight the importance of cybersecurity as we move further into the digital age. The advent of the Internet of Things( IoT) has given computers the ability to affect the physical world directly. Stuxnet, a worm that affected Iran’ s nuclear programme back in 2010, is another well-known case of malicious software causing substantial damage to industrial computer systems. Initially spread via Microsoft Windows, Stuxnet was the first malware discovered to spy on and subvert industrial systems, allowing the attackers to take control of industrial control systems and manipulate real-world equipment.
Deloitte and PwC have both published reports looking at the importance of cybersecurity given the increased connectivity that comes with the IoT. A report from Deloitte University Press( DUP), titled Safeguarding the Internet of Things: Being secure, vigilant, and resilient in the connected age, states that as more data is created and transmitted, so opportunities arise for more data— and more sensitive data— to be compromised.
And given the increasing adoption of advanced technology, including the telemetry devices found on many construction and mining machines, the danger is even greater. If these machines are hacked, results could range from minor interruptions to site operations, to catastrophic failures, plant shutdowns, and significant risks to site safety. This point is emphasised in Deloitte’ s CIO perspectives: Mining industry report, published in February 2016.
According to PwC’ s Shaping the mine of the future report,“ Rapid advances in digital, mobile, analytics, and other technologies have transformed the global mining industry. They’ ve also greatly increased opportunities for cybersecurity breaches that can cause significant financial, operational, and reputational damage.” The report points out that cyberattacks can potentially access almost any system“ from water and power management to ventilation systems and autonomous vehicles”, bringing operations to a halt.
The DUP report also highlights the potential danger of the security of on-site machines being compromised, quoting the World Economic Forum’ s Global Risks 2015 insight report:“ Hacking the location data on a car is merely an invasion of privacy, whereas hacking the control system of a car would be a threat to a life.” This threat is even higher when it comes to the kind of heavy equipment used on mining and construction sites.
The results of PwC’ s 2017 Global digital IQ survey indicate that investments in Africa are“ focused on IoT and artificial intelligence( 69 % and 42 % are investing heavily today, respectively)”, a trend that they expect to continue over the next three years. This focus requires us to pay more attention to ways to keep both the data and the devices that generate, record, and transmit it, secure. n
HAVE YOUR DETAILS CHANGED?
PHYSICAL ADDRESS | POST BOX | COMPANY | TELEPHONE | EMAIL
Talk to us to ensure you don’ t miss a single issue!
DISTRIBUTION @ INTERACTMEDIA. CO. ZA
40
JULY 2017