Cybersecurity in IIoT

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May 27

Without robust security, innovation is at risk.

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) refers to the extension and use of the Internet of Things (IoT) in industrial sectors and applications. With a strong focus on machine-to-machine communication, big data, and machine learning, IIoT drives the automation and improvement of manufacturing and industrial processes. Main cybersecurity considerations for IIoT include ensuring the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data, protecting against unauthorized access and cyber attacks, and maintaining robust network security to handle the increased connectivity and interoperability of industrial devices and systems. Additionally, continuous monitoring and applying stringent security protocols are crucial to safeguard against potential vulnerabilities and threats in a dynamically evolving technological landscape.

Did you know that according to Very’s 2024 State of IoT Report, 52.47% of professionals identified IoT Security as the top knowledge gap? And McKinsey reports that 32% of enterprise buyers see cybersecurity as the biggest barrier to B2B IoT adoption and spending. These aren't just numbers—they're a wake-up call.

Moreover, Microsoft's 2023 Digital Operations Report for IIoT reveals that when companies seek external help for IIoT integration and implementation, a solid IT security track record is paramount. In fact, a staggering 100% of respondents emphasized this as their top priority.

These insights underscore a critical reality: As we embrace more connected devices, the importance of securing these technologies cannot be overstated.

Useful tools to help with your IIoT Cybersecurity strategy

NIST IR 8259 – A Series of reports provides guidance for manufacturers and their supporting third parties as they conceive, design, develop, test, sell, and support IoT devices across their spectrum of customers.
Industry IoT Consortium Industrial Internet Security Framework – Provides architectures and best practices to construct trustworthy systems. It addresses considerations such as security, safety, reliability, privacy, and resiliency and represents industry collaboration and consensus to protect ICS/SCADA systems.
Industry IoT Consortium IoT Security Maturity Model - The Internet of Things (IoT) Security Maturity Model (SMM) builds on the concepts identified in the Industrial Internet Security Framework (IISF) and provides a path for IoT providers to understand where they need to be, make intelligent choices about which mechanisms to use and how to invest in the mechanisms to meet their needs.
MDPI Industrial IoT, Cyber Threats, and Standards Landscape: Evaluation and roadmap for IIoT cybersecurity, emphasizing the vulnerability due to new communication technologies and IT/OT gaps. It discusses current standards and strategic implementations for securing M2M communications, serving as a vital resource for enhancing IIoT cybersecurity frameworks.
ISA/IEC 62443 - Series of standards that define the requirements and processes for implementing and maintaining electronically secure industrial automation and control systems (IACS). These standards provide a holistic approach to cybersecurity, integrating operations with information technology and bridging the gap between process safety and cybersecurity.