INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Enterprise Security
Eaton focuses on cybersecurity for mission critical power infrastructure
Facilities management ( FM ) and IT professionals are working more closely than ever before to defend the built environment from cyberattack . In the worlds of operational technology ( OT ) and IT , the new buzzword is ‘ electrification ’ and that ’ s because power supply is critical to digitalisation . To address the issues this raises , Eaton has just launched a new whitepaper called ‘ The importance of life cycle cybersecurity in mission critical power infrastructure ’.
The whitepaper explains how components such as switchgear , automatic transfer switches ( ATS ), uninterruptible power supplies ( UPS ), transformers , breakers and
OUR INTENSE FOCUS ON CYBERSECURITY MEANS WE ARE AWARE OF THOSE ENTRY POINTS AND CAN OFFER SOLUTIONS AND ADVICE . DEFENDING THE BUILDING IN A UNIFIED WAY AND KEEPING UP A CONTINUOUS GUARD , IS VITAL . protective devices – together with the programmable logic controllers ( PLC ) and commercial off-the-shelf ( COTS ) switches , routers and firewalls used to integrate them into an OT control and monitoring network – can form an attack surface from which cybercriminals can gain access to a business and interact illicitly with its systems .
The whitepaper explores what can be done to prevent this happening by plugging security gaps and introducing regular monitoring and upgrade routines with signed software to guarantee authenticity . It includes a useful supply chain cybersecurity checklist .
As more aspects of our economy – including our vehicles – are electrified , every physical and digital link throughout our built environment must be secured . Systems that traditionally were standalone such as heating , ventilation and air conditioning ( HVAC ), indoor and outdoor lighting and power supplies to car parks are increasingly sophisticated and necessarily interlinked , so they must be protected ‘ as one ’.
Cybercriminals can enter a business IT system and attack all parts of it through a single weak link such as an office printer , ceiling lights or an electric vehicle charging point . The only way to prevent this is by auditing every component and introducing new routines to ensure that the cybersecurity measures protecting them , and the links between them , remain up to the task . Signed software to guarantee the authenticity of upgrades is crucial .
Ashraf Yehia , Managing Director , Eaton Middle East , said : “ We have noticed how buildings owners and managers , and FM and IT professionals who work for them , assume all entry points into their systems are covered when they may be open to attack . Our intense focus on cybersecurity means we are aware of those entry points and can offer solutions and advice . Defending the building in a unified way and keeping up a continuous guard , is vital .” p
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