TOP 10 Critical Infrastructure and SCADA/ICS

Cyber Security Vulnerabilities and Threats

Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and Operational Technology (OT) networks are prime targets for cyber attacks for various reasons. Here are some common threats:

Critical infrastructure and SCADA/ICS are prime targets for threat actors due to their high impact on critical infrastructure, potential for economic disruption, opportunities for espionage and intellectual property theft, geopolitical motives, lack of security awareness, potential cascading effects, and limited detection capabilities.

ICS and OT systems often have long lifespans and are designed with a primary focus on facilitating production processes rather than prioritizing cyber security. This situation creates significant vulnerabilities that must be addressed to protect critical infrastructure.

01 Legacy Software ICS and OT systems lack modern cyber security

practices.

IoT applications run on legacy operating systems, lacking authentication and data integrity features.

Allows attackers unrestricted access to systems.

03 Lack of Encryption Legacy SCADA controllers and industrial

protocols lack encryption.

Attackers can sniff and discover usernames and passwords.

05 Inconsistent Policies and Procedures IT and OT personnel have different approaches to

securing industrial controls.

Unified security policy needed to protect both IT and OT technology.

Collaboration between IT and OT teams is essential.

02 Default Configuration Out-of-box systems with default or simple

passwords and baseline configurations.

Makes it easy for attackers to enumerate and compromise systems.

04 Remote Access Increasing interconnectivity provides

unauthorized access to critical operations.

SCADA systems connected to unaudited dial-up lines or remote-access servers create backdoor access to OT network and corporate LAN.

06 Lack of Network Segmentation Internet-connected OT networks without proper

segmentation create vulnerabilities.

Misconfigured networks and lack of a firewall increase the risk of unauthorized access.

01 Legacy Software

ICS and OT systems lack modern cyber security practices.

IoT applications run on legacy operating systems, lacking authentication and data integrity features.

Allows attackers unrestricted access to systems.

Makes it easy for attackers to enumerate and compromise systems.

03 Lack of Encryption

Legacy SCADA controllers and industrial protocols lack encryption.

Attackers can sniff and discover usernames and passwords.

04 Remote Access

Increasing interconnectivity provides unauthorized access to critical operations.

SCADA systems connected to unaudited dial-up lines or remote-access

servers create backdoor access to OT network and corporate LAN.

05 Inconsistent Policies and Procedures

IT and OT personnel have different

approaches to securing industrial controls.

Collaboration between IT and OT teams is essential.

06 Lack of Network Segmentation

Internet-connected OT networks without proper segmentation create vulnerabilities.

Critical Infrastructure and SCADA/ICS

Cyber Security Vulnerabilities and Threats

TOP 10

Critical infrastructure and SCADA/ICS are prime targets

for threat actors due to their high impact on critical infrastructure, potential for economic disruption, opportunities for espionage and intellectual property theft, geopolitical motives, lack of security awareness, potential cascading effects, and limited detection capabilities.

ICS and OT systems often have long lifespans and are

designed with a primary focus on facilitating production

processes rather than prioritizing cyber security. This

addressed to protect critical infrastructure.

Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and Operational Technology (OT) networks are prime targets for cyber attacks

for various reasons. Here are some common threats:

07 DDoS Attacks Attackers exploit unprotected ICS systems with

limited access controls.

Vulnerable and unpatched OT systems are targeted for takeover, to be used as bots in DDoS campaigns.

09 Malware OT systems require robust defenses against

malware attacks.

Anti-malware protection, host-based firewall controls, and effective patch management are crucial.

Virtual patching helps reduce exposure to threats and vulnerabilities.

ICS and OT devices connected to critical infrastructure and manufacturing industry networks are prime targets for cyberattacks. These systems play a crucial role in controlling and managing essential operations, making them attractive to threat actors. It is crucial for organizations to recognize vulnerabilities associated with these systems and networks and take appropriate measures to protect them. This includes implementing robust cybersecurity practices, conducting regular risk assessments, applying security updates and patches, improving network segmentation, and promoting a culture of security awareness among employees.

08 Web Application Attacks Increasing connectivity exposes traditional OT

systems to web-based attacks.

HMIs and PLCs accessible via web interfaces are vulnerable to XSS and SQL injection.

10 Command Injection & Parameter Manipulation Lack of validation allows attackers to execute

arbitrary commands on OT systems.

Unvalidated data poses a significant risk.

The Check Point Rugged security firewalls, featuring the 1595R deliver proven, integrated AI security, high-speed 5G connectivity and more for deployment in harsh environments as part of a complete end-to-end ICS security solution.

To learn more about Check Point’s Solutions for Critical Infrastructure,

please visit www.checkpoint.com/ics

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www.checkpoint.com

Worldwide Headquarters

5 Shlomo Kaplan Street, Tel Aviv 6789159, Israel | Tel: +972-3-753-4599 U.S. Headquarters

100 Oracle Parkway, Suite 800, Redwood City, CA 94065 | Tel: 1-800-429-4391

www.checkpoint.com

To learn more about Check Point’s Solutions for Critical Infrastructure, please visit www.checkpoint.com/ics

ICS and OT devices connected to critical infrastructure and manufacturing industry networks are prime targets for

cyberattacks. These systems play a crucial role in controlling and managing essential operations, making them attractive to

threat actors. It is crucial for organizations to recognize vulnerabilities associated with these systems and networks and take appropriate measures to protect them. This includes implementing robust cybersecurity practices, conducting regular

risk assessments, applying security updates and patches, improving network segmentation, and promoting a culture of security awareness among employees.

The Check Point Rugged security firewalls, featuring the 1595R deliver proven, integrated AI security, high-speed 5G connectivity and more for deployment in harsh environments as part of a complete end-to-end ICS security solution.

07 DDoS Attacks

Attackers exploit unprotected ICS systems with limited access controls.

Vulnerable and unpatched OT systems are targeted for takeover, to be used as bots in DDoS campaigns.

08 Web Application Attacks

Increasing connectivity exposes traditional OT systems to web-based attacks.

HMIs and PLCs accessible via web interfaces are vulnerable to XSS and SQL injection.

09 Malware

OT systems require robust defenses against malware attacks.

Virtual patching helps reduce exposure to threats and vulnerabilities.

10 Command Injection & Parameter Manipulation

Lack of validation allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on OT systems.

Unvalidated data poses a significant risk.

https://www.checkpoint.com/ics https://www.checkpoint.com/ics