The Growing Threat of Email-Based Attacks on Critical National Infrastructure
As technology continues to advance, cyber attackers are finding new ways to infiltrate critical national infrastructure. A recent report from security solution provider OPSWAT revealed that up to 80% of CNI companies experienced a security breach through malicious emails in the past year.
From utilities to transport and data centers, critical infrastructure is a prime target for cyber attacks. The services industry, in particular, has been heavily impacted by ransomware attacks, accounting for almost a quarter of global incidents.
The OPSWAT report highlighted some alarming statistics, showing that CNI organisations are facing numerous email-based threats, including phishing incidents, account compromises, and data leakage. Despite these risks, a significant number of respondents still assume email messages and attachments to be safe.
Why Threat Actors Target Email
Email is a convenient tool for attackers to deploy phishing attempts, malicious links, and harmful attachments. The report emphasized that over 80% of CNI organisations expect email attack levels to rise in the next 12 months, with phishing, data exfiltration, and zero-day malware attacks being the most prevalent.
With the increasing convergence of operational technology and IT systems, securing email communications has become a top priority. The interconnected nature of these systems means that a successful email attack can quickly spread to the organization’s OT network, causing significant damage.
The UK Recognizes Data Centers as Critical National Infrastructure
In a recent announcement, the UK government designated data centers as critical national infrastructure to enhance security measures. This new classification aims to provide greater support to data centers in recovering from incidents and accessing essential security agencies when needed.
However, CNI organizations in the UK also face heightened regulatory scrutiny, with regulations like the Network and Information Systems Regulations and the Telecommunications Security Act imposing strict requirements on operators. Compliance with these regulations plays a crucial role in protecting against cyber attacks.
Cyber Attacks on Critical Infrastructure
The latest Threat Pulse report from NCC Group revealed a concerning trend of increasing ransomware attacks targeting CNI. As threat actors become bolder, there is a growing need for enhanced security measures in critical infrastructure sectors to mitigate these risks.
Legacy technology poses a unique challenge to CNI organizations, as outdated systems are more vulnerable to cyber threats. With the rising number of attacks on essential infrastructure, it is crucial for organizations to prioritize cybersecurity and adopt preventive measures to safeguard against potential breaches.