Hacking Attempts on Critical Infrastructure Up 70% Worldwide

Global cybersecurity firm Smarttech247 has revealed the last year has seen a 70% jump in the number of attempted hacking attacks on Operational Technology or Industrial Control Systems worldwide. The news comes over a week after it emerged 12 government ministries in Norway had been the victims of a cyber-attack.

The team at Smarttech247 says this and other recent attacks have exposed vulnerabilities in the public sector on a global scale, underscoring the pressing need for proactive and resilient cybersecurity measures. It’s working with a number of critical infrastructure agencies to fortify their own strategies and is appealing for all organisations that have OT systems in place to do the same.

CEO of Smarttech247, Raluca Saceanu says the dramatic rise in attempts seen by her team is a major problem: “This year-on-year spike of 70% poses serious risks to the essential services that our societies depend upon. These threat actors think nothing of targeting critical infrastructure, such as power grids, transportation networks, and water supply systems”.

“We are committed to empowering organisations to tackle these evolving challenges head-on, safeguarding critical infrastructure with robust defence strategies and cutting-edge technologies – but organisations must also be aware of the risks themselves and adapt to the situation to protect their users and the wider economy. With the number of IoT connections projected to reach 25 billion by 2025, the importance of being prepared is growing by the day”

Smarttech247 recently launched a drive to support critical infrastructures throughout Europe. The programme offers complimentary cybersecurity health checks to their teams to help identify vulnerabilities and strengthen defences, in order to further safeguard against potential cyber risks.