Industry 4.0 is an industry built on technological intelligence, hence the term “smart manufacturing”. The intervention of intelligent systems and automation in this industry is driven by data through Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning technology.
Previously, in Industry 3.0, computer intervention actually already existed. Computers are considered capable of creating new market opportunities, aka “disruptive”. Industry 4.0 has been able to accept computers as part of manufacturing. Industry players let computers make decisions without human involvement. Industry 4.0 can be realized because of the combination of cyber-physical systems, the Internet of Things (IoT), and the internet of systems.
List of Industry 4.0 Cyber Security challenges
Smart factories are highly vulnerable to cyberattacks. Vulnerability exploitation, malware, denial of service (DoS), device hacking, and other common attack methods are the same as those faced by other networks. The proliferation of smart factories is making it harder for business owners to detect and defend against cyberattacks. These cyber threats are now at a new level with the advent of IoT, and can result in serious physical consequences, especially in the IIoT realm.
Here are some cybersecurity challenges for Industry 4.0:
Ransomware
During the first period of the COVID-19 pandemic, ransomware attacks increased by a staggering 148% year-on-year. For this reason, some have called 2020 the “year of ransomware”. In 2021, the IBM Security X-Force Threat Intelligence Index found that ransomware attacks were the most prominent form of cyberattack, at 23% in 2020 and 21% in 2021. There was a reduction in the number of attacks in 2022, but it is still a current threat. Ransomware will continue to be a problem in 2023, especially as double blackmail attacks and ransomware as a service become more prominent.
IoT Security
The purpose of IoT is to make life easier and more convenient, both personally and professionally, but these internet-connected devices greatly expand the attack surface, and many are not designed with security in mind. Efforts to strengthen IoT other than by enforcing cybersecurity are to use state legislation.
Evil AI
The use of AI, both for enterprises and consumers, will increase by 2023. Of course, this has both good and bad potential for cybersecurity.
AI that is used for good purposes, for example, is incorporated into the daily work of a company. It can be used to detect and mitigate threats, as well as manage and detect fraud. However, the use of AI can also add work to the IT team. The team must be aware of privacy and security issues when using AI.
Meanwhile, the problem is when AI is used for the benefit of bad people. Such as being used by people who threaten to attack a company’s security system. An example of an AI-powered attack is deepfake, which is then used for social engineering.
Inadequate human resources
To be able to run Industry 4.0 well, many employees are needed. However, employees in the field of cybersecurity are still lacking, both in terms of numbers and skills. Hiring employees with the necessary skills, and retaining them, continues to be a challenge. Especially with the threat of the 2023 Recession, budget cuts, and layoffs.
Security for remote and hybrid work
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the work culture from mostly office workers to hybrid, WFH, and even remote. Accessing data with their own devices from different places exposes companies to opportunities for cyberattacks, such as malware or phishing attempts.
