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Critical Infrastructure and Cybersecurity: A Standard of Sound Practice

As the world becomes increasingly reliant on digital systems, the importance of protecting critical infrastructure from cyber threats cannot be overstated. In this article, we will explore a standard of sound practice for managing cyber risks in critical infrastructure, highlighting key areas of focus and best practices for ensuring the integrity and security of these systems.

Third-Party Dependencies

When it comes to critical infrastructure, third-party service providers can pose significant cybersecurity risks. To mitigate these risks, DTIs must engage in robust planning and due diligence to identify and assess potential threats. This includes:

  • Conducting cyber risk assessments and due diligence before entering new third-party relationships
  • Verifying that third-party systems are operational and consistent with internal standards

Cybersecurity Awareness and Training

Cybersecurity awareness is a crucial component of any critical infrastructure protection strategy. DTIs must educate individuals within their organizations to recognize and mitigate cyber threats, enhancing overall security. This can include:

  • Training users to delete suspicious email attachments
  • Avoiding the use of unknown USB devices
  • Implementing other best practices for staying safe online

Risk Identification and Assessment

Identifying and assessing cyber risks is a crucial step in the risk containment exercise. DTIs must be vigilant in identifying potential threats and analyzing their impact on critical infrastructure. This includes:

  • Conducting regular scenario-based cyber exercises to test systems and identify vulnerabilities
  • Analyzing the potential impact of identified threats on critical infrastructure

Cloud Security

As more organizations move to cloud-based solutions, it’s essential to prioritize cloud security. This includes:

  • Applying security policies, practices, controls, and technologies such as:
    • Identity and access management
    • Data loss prevention tools
  • Securing cloud environments against unauthorized access, online attacks, and insider threats

Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning

Unplanned events can have a significant impact on critical infrastructure operations. To minimize disruption, DTIs must develop robust business continuity and disaster recovery plans, including:

  • Tools and procedures for responding to:
    • System or network failures
    • Natural disasters
    • Power outages
    • Cyber incidents

Conclusion

Protecting critical infrastructure from cyber threats requires a comprehensive approach that includes identifying and assessing risks, developing robust cybersecurity strategies, and prioritizing awareness and training. By following this standard of sound practice, DTIs can ensure the integrity and security of their systems, minimizing the risk of disruption or damage to operations.

In the next article, we will explore the importance of incident response planning in critical infrastructure protection and provide guidance on how to develop an effective response plan.