Critical infrastructure depends on interconnected operational systems, where cyber incidents can disrupt essential services, safety, and availability.
Search across headline titles and summaries.
Background for this topic.
Critical infrastructure includes systems and assets vital for public health, safety, and economic stability, such as power grids, water treatment, transportation networks, and healthcare facilities. These systems often combine physical components with industrial control systems (ICS) and operational technology (OT) that manage essential services in real time.
From an information-security perspective, critical infrastructure faces risks like unauthorized access to control systems, disruption of service availability, and manipulation of sensor data. Defending these assets requires specialized security measures tailored to ICS environments, including network segmentation, strict access controls, and continuous monitoring for anomalies. Ensuring resilience also involves coordinated efforts between operators and government agencies to address vulnerabilities unique to legacy systems and proprietary protocols.
Researchers track the healthcare sector as experiencing the biggest financial losses, with banking and transportation following close behind.
The individual is part of a DPRK-backed group known as Andariel, which is known for using the 'Maui' ransomware strain to target and extort healthcare entities.
The Andariel group is targeting critical defense, aerospace, nuclear, and engineering companies for data theft, the FBI, NSA, and others said.
Our critical systems can be protected from looming threats by embracing a proactive approach, investing in education, and fostering collaboration between IT and OT professionals.
Russia has cast aside its focus on civilian infrastructures and is instead targeting Ukraine's military operations in myriad ways.