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The addition of 5G connectivity to industrial plants turns the game around and opens up the opportunities to achieve unprecedented automation, real-time data analytics, and operational efficiency. Nevertheless, such a new level of hyper-connectivity also exposes the factory floor to an elegant panorama of cyber threat. The process of securing such environments requires an expert strategy that is specific to the particular requirements of 5G industrial networks.
Understanding the Cybersecurity Challenges
The networks of traditional factories tend to be isolated and use air-gapped systems to protect themselves. 5G breaks this paradigm because it opens wireless connectivity that, although potent, increases the attack surface exponentially. The main issues are the growth of the Industrial IoT (IIoT) devices that can be easy access points, the sensitivity of the data being transmitted over the network, and the necessity of ultra-reliable and low-latency communication without the possibility of failure by malicious activity.
Practical Strategies for a Robust Defense
The security strategy that should be implemented to safeguard key manufacturing processes is a multi-layered one.
Securing Industrial IoT Devices
A vulnerability of every connected sensor and IIoT device exists. Set up a rigorous inventory and management policy. Modify default passwords, regularly install firmware packages and turn off services that are not in use. Enforce effective device identity management so that only authorized devices should access the network.
Protecting Data in Transit
Production and process data must be encrypted with high level of sensitivity. Although 5G has built-in standard encryption such as AES-256, very sensitive data must be secured with extra end-to-end encryption, where the information is secured at the edge device and to the application server. Use the high level of encryption protocols in separate 5G structures, including higher user plane integrity defense. In the case of the most sensitive data and the most important control commands, it is possible to introduce several extra end-to-end encryption layers to protect the information at the device up to the application server.
Implementing a Zero-Trust Architecture
Trust can never be implicit in a contemporary industrial network. Zero-trust requires that none of the devices and users either within or outside of the network perimeter are allowed entry before their identity and security posture is strictly validated. This entails micro-segmentation that subdivides the network into small and isolated areas to isolate any potential breach to avoid future lateral movement by the attackers.
How SMAwave Integrates Built-In Security
An infrastructure that is secure is essential in any cybersecurity system. The industrial 5G terminals of SMAwave are designed in this security-first attitude. They offer a platform of hardened hardware and comes loaded with enhanced and integrated security services that proactively fight against emerging threats. This inbuilt resilience makes it easier to implement a zero-trust architecture as it provides secure authentication of identity and promotes the policies of network segmentation at that very edge of connection.