Page 221 - Cyber Defense eMagazine September 2025

P. 221

Manipulation of Physical Processes

Enemies can hack sensor feedback or command messages to cause machines to crash, produce
defective products, or even become safety hazards. The Stuxnet worm was a pioneering case of such
an attack, but today's attacks such as FrostyGoop malware are much more diversified and advanced.

Supply Chain Attacks

Vulnerabilities may be injected during the manufacturing or software update of IoMT devices themselves.
These supply chain vulnerabilities are used by the attackers to gain access to industrial networks in
general.

Strategies for Securing CPS and IoMT

1. Segmentation and Network Design

Isolate IT and OT networks wherever feasible, using firewalls and data diodes to restrict unauthorized
access. Implement micro segmentation to restrict lateral movement between networks.

2. Zero Trust Principles

Adopt a zero-trust approach by treating all users and devices as unverified. Implement stringent IAM
policies, multi-factor authentication, and real-time activity tracking.

3. Device and Firmware Security

Implement tamper-evident hardware and secure boot protocols in every device. Update firmware
periodically and cryptographically sign the updates.

4. Behavior Analysis and Anomaly Detection

Implement AI-driven monitoring solutions that detect device behavior patterns and alert teams of possible
anomalies that signal a possible breach or system failure in real-time.

5. Supply Chain Risk Management

Properly screen all your vendors, use robust security best practices for your vendor infrastructure, and
beware of unauthorized firmware updates or unauthorized hardware revisions.

6. Incident Response and Recovery Planning

Design effective response procedures with definite roles and job profiles and perform recovery simulation
on a regular basis to effectively manage breaks and continue business as usual when breaches take
place.

216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226