As a result, PMMI has created CyberHealth, to assist you with your cybersecurity needs and keep you up to date on current business practices, key trends, and imminent threats. Check this page often as we will be updating the information and resources on a regular basis.
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As technology continues to evolve, so does the sophistication of malware to exploit it. Manufacturing in particular has become familiar with Ransomware in recent years as a growing threat that has given rise to massive business and supply chain disruption. Ransomware has traditionally targeted computer systems and networks with the goal of holding them hostage for payment, and has almost become an industry of itself for cyberattackers. As technology has evolved to include more and more interconnected devices as well as devices with interconnected components, we are now seeing the rise of a new type of threat called Jackware.
Ransomware has become a well-known cyber-threat over the past several years, with more and more criminal organizations leveraging it as a way to disrupt all types of businesses in the hopes of a quick pay day. Ransomware is a particularly nasty strain of malware because it encrypts your data and holds it hostage for payment, and has the ability to spread across devices and networks with the potential to infect the entire technology infrastructure of companies which can cause months of disruption.
With the risk of cyber attacks higher than ever before, it’s never been more crucial to ensure that your business is adequately protected from disruption. Many companies think they have coverage for cyber incidents through their business or liability insurance provider, but did you know that all cyber coverage is not the same?
Weak passwords and compromised credentials have been among the top reasons behind cyber breaches for some time now. Did you know that simple passwords that are less than 7 characters in length can be cracked in mere seconds? Commonly used passwords such as “123456” or “password”, or even your dog’s name, can be easily cracked and are not considered secure at all.
Cybersecurity awareness training has been identified as one of the most key actions that companies can take in order to prevent cyber attacks. Employees using computers to do their jobs every day are the first line of defense against cyberattacks. Since the pandemic began, the number of floor manufacturing staff with access to corporate e-mail, applications, and networks has risen sharply with many of these employees having never had access to these systems previously. It is essential that every company establish a security awareness training program to regularly keep its employees apprised of common threats and new attack vectors, and most importantly, how to spot them in order to keep your systems safe.
In 2018 the US Government created the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency with the goal of connecting the public and private sectors to each other and to resources, analyses, and tools to help build their own cyber, communications, and physical security and resilience. With the development of recent geopolitical events, CISA launched the Shields Up program to provide the latest cybersecurity updates and information as well as guidance for all organizations on measures to adopt to enhance cybersecurity.
In our first issue of PMMI CyberHealth, we explore passwords and authentication. It is estimated that over 80% of cyberattacks are caused by weak passwords that are easily guessed or “cracked”, making it one of the easiest and most dangerous vectors for attackers to gain access to your systems and wreak havoc.
The Biden-Harris Administration has warned repeatedly about the potential for Russia to engage in malicious cyber activity against the United States in response to the unprecedented economic sanctions we have imposed. There is now evolving intelligence that Russia may be exploring options for potential cyberattacks. The White House has issued the following guidance to provide you with the urgent steps necessary to protect your business.
Small and medium-sized manufacturing operations are now the companies that hackers and bad actors target the most as the stressed supply chain can become wholly unhinged with a few mouse clicks. Obviously, the events unfolding in Ukraine only add to the concern for IT and OT professionals. In this episode of unPACKed with PMMI, IT Manager Ben Spencer explains how more often than not, employees prove to be a weak point in cybersecurity prevention plans.
With the development of the recent events in Ukraine and U.S. sanctions on Russia starting to sink in, government authorities are warning of imminent increases in state-sponsored hacking attempting to disrupt infrastructure and supply chains.
