A recent study has shown that an estimated 6.4 billion people use or own a smartphone. This number is expected to increase in the incoming years, showing that a dependency or trends on mobile devices are imminent.
With a steady increase of applications and whatever you can do on your phone, the future of mobile devices seems secure. Today, you can do almost anything with a phone. You can order food, pay bills, contact friends, play games, and so much more.
Mobile devices have begun to show their potential in terms of industrial uses. Plenty of applications convert phones into remotes for television sets and other electronic devices. A new trend involves phones to control industrial control system
What is an Industrial Control System
An Industrial Control System or an ICS is a general term for anything that combines hardware and software to help run an industrial process. These come in many forms but are all geared towards making a process run smoothly and efficiently.
Generally, an ICS helps monitor automated processes and maintain consistency. You can find these control systems in virtually any industry such as transportation, electricity, and even in water supplying.
Since an ICS is electronic or virtual this means that they have different vulnerabilities than a simple switch would have. If a company utilizes an ICS then they need to invest in proper cyber security to make sure that nothing goes wrong.
Such industries tend to go for professional ICS security vendors. These are the people that have been at the top of the cybersecurity game for years. They are equipped with decades of experience along with the right tools.
An Industrial control system makes things incredibly efficient and consistent. However, in doing so, the entire process becomes vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
Generally, an industrial company wouldn’t have to invest so much into cybersecurity. This is because most processes don’t require an electronic device.
However, an ICS converts a majority of the process into a digital or virtual process. This makes things faster but vulnerable to a whole new world of issues.
3 Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities
ICS and mobile applications seem like the modern dream team for industrial efficiency. These combine the best of both modern worlds. Technology tends to combine innovations and make a whole new world.
Thus, leading to ICS mobile applications, these applications combine the convenience of a smartphone with the efficiency of an ICS. These mobile applications may very well be the future of all industrial processes.
As mentioned, an ICS leaves the industry faster and more consistent but vulnerable to a whole new world of weaknesses.
1. Malware
Malware is a common form of cyber-attack, these are malicious software that attacks a specific user. Different kinds of malware attack in varying ways. Some act as a trojan horse and destroy from the inside out while others simply steal information.
Malware plagues almost all electronic devices out there, and cellphone or smartphones are no exception.
It’s one thing for a hacker to get your list of contacts and personal information but it’s a whole other concept to lose industrial control. This control may lead to a compromise in an assembly line or maybe the water supply. Mobile phones have always had the reputation of being an easy target for hackers.
Although it comes in many shapes and sizes, malware is deadly to all ICS mobile applications and their users.
2. Phishing
Phishing is another form of cyber-attacks, they are known for their delivery and attachment. The term phishing comes from the analogy of hackers “fishing” for financial data from a “sea” of netizens. Phishing is all about throwing out the fishing line and seeing who bites.
Phishing usually comes in the form of emails that act like they are from a different group of people. They can act like a legitimate company that wants to collaborate or maybe a friend that just wants some time. Phishing is all about getting unsuspecting employees to click on a link.
This link, if clicked, may lead to hackers stealing your personal information, along with a bunch of other things. Anything such as credit card information, login details, addresses, all become known to hackers.
This cyber-attack isn’t usually given the limelight since it tends to only lead to personal information being leaked.
However, if you fall victim to phishing on your phone that connects to an industrial control system then all of it becomes vulnerable. Usually, phishing is simply avoided with people not clicking on unknown links.
3. SQL Injection
This is a particular weakness for mobile devices and web applications. SQL injections involve hackers inserting a specific line of code into a vulnerable spot of a web box. If hackers can input this line then the code will function differently.
This can be avoided with proper programming and maintenance of code. An SQL injection is an extremely complicated topic and the overview involves hackers finding a soft spot and exploiting it.
A successful SQL injection may lead to
A. Authentication Bypass
Hackers can get your login credentials and get all the access that they need. The entire application becomes free real estate for them and they get to do whatever they wish.
B. Remote Command Execution
This is related to the first point but essentially gives them free rein over the entire application and system. They can execute various commands without needing to be on-site or even on your phone.
C. Compromised Data Integrity
The data and information that is taken may no longer be valid or accurate. This data and information may have been tampered with. If anything, accessing the compromised data may lead to even more cyber-attacks. Once the hackers are in they can set traps throughout the code or the application.
D. Compromised Availability of Data
Other than worrying about the kind of data you get, there is the added concern of not getting anything in general. Hackers can control what information or reports you get and essentially keep you in the dark. They can learn about the industrial system and receive status reports without you even being aware that there was a report.
E. Information Disclosure
The bread and butter for all cyberattacks is the leaking of information, whether it be personal or business information. You can say goodbye to every bit of sensitive information linked to your phone or the application.
Key Takeaways
The world of smartphones looks like it has a bright future. This seems to appear even brighter when the potential of industrial control systems is mentioned. Combining efficiency with accessibility is an incredibly powerful thing.
With all the benefits of ICS mobile applications, one needs to be wary of the vulnerabilities they still have. ICS mobile applications typically have 3 main vulnerabilities
- Malware
- Phishing
- SQL Injections
Improvements and changes are what keep businesses prospering. Keeping up with the many innovations doesn’t mean implementing every new trend out there. One needs to consider the strengths and weaknesses that this innovation has.