A new report from Nozomi Networks Labs finds cyber threats against OT and IoT infrastructure continued to grow in number
and impact in the first half of 2020. OT-reliant organisations are increasingly embracing IoT devices, and COVID-19 has
forced a global shift to remote work. Unfortunately, threat actors appear to be capitalising on these trends. In the
first six months of this year, they used IoT botnets and shifting ransomware tactics as their weapons of choice for
targeting OT and IoT networks.
Nozomi Networks’ “OT/IoT Security Report,” gives IT security professionals an overview of the most active OT and IoT
threats seen by Nozomi Networks Labs in the first half of this year. The report found:New and modified IoT botnets are among the fastest growing categories of attacks, as threat actors take advantage of the
increased use of IoT devices in operational networks.Ransomware attackers are demanding higher ransoms, aimed at larger and more critical organisations. Additionally,
ransomware gangs are often using a two-pronged approach that combines data encryption with data theft, making it
difficult for the victim to avoid paying up.SNAKE/EKANS ransomware continued to strike, exhibiting OT-awareness and suggesting that non-state threat actors could
target industrial control systems.The COVID-19 global pandemic provided threat actors with more vectors and opportunities for exploitation. Coronavirus
has also opened the door to unscrupulous attacks targeting researchers and healthcare organisations on the front lines.Improper input validation and buffer overflows topped the ICS-Cert vulnerabilities reported in the first half of 2020.
The number of vulnerabilities tracked by ICS-Cert is growing significantly compared to 2019.
“The steep rise in threats targeting operational networks should be a serious concern for security professionals
responsible for keeping not only IT, but OT and IoT networks safe,” said Andrea Carcano, Nozomi Networks Co-founder and
CPO. “The days when threats to operational networks were few and far between and often attributed to nation-state actors
are clearly behind us. As IT, OT and IoT worlds converge, threat actors of all types are setting their sights on higher
value targets, leaving security organisations scrambling to keep up. It’s a daunting task, but not impossible. We know
from working with thousands of industrial installations that you can monitor and mitigate these risks, whether they stem
from cybercriminals, nation-states or employees.”
Nozomi Networks’ “OT/IoT Security Report” summarises the most active OT and IoT threats and vulnerabilities seen by Nozomi Networks Labs in the first six months
of this year. The report shares insights into threat tactics and techniques and provides recommendations for protecting
critical networks.
Read: OT/IoT Security Report: Rising IoT Botnets and Shifting Ransomware Escalate Enterprise Risk
Read the Blog Post: What IT Needs to Know about OT/IoT Security Threats in 2020