News

In today's interconnected industrial landscape, industrial cybersecurity has evolved from an IT afterthought to a mission-critical business imperative. While cybersecurity actions in critical spaces have become increasingly commonplace, with dedicated teams directly protecting the assets, reputations, and ultimately profits of their respective companies, it is surprisingly common to overlook cybersecurity in industrial environments.

The consequences of this oversight are staggering. According to recent industry reports, cyberattacks on industrial systems have increased by 87% over the past two years, with the average cost of a manufacturing cyber incident exceeding $5 million in downtime, recovery, and reputation damage.

The Hidden Vulnerability: When Design Teams Overlook Security

Often, design departments focused on product development, or integrators focused on applications, unintentionally overlook all the necessary security considerations when it comes to edge computing security or IoT hardware security solutions. This oversight occurs during the most critical phase of any industrial project: the initial planning and hardware selection.

Every year, the technology industry introduces new or updated solutions, including increased connectivity. The trend towards connected devices aims to improve data collection and automation, which we fully support. However, cybersecurity must be a priority from the beginning, right from the initial design requirements document.

The Critical Design Phase: Where Security Wins or Fails

During the design requirements phase, parameters are established that influence the selection of components for the final product. This is where industrial cybersecurity either becomes embedded into your system's DNA or gets overlooked until it's too late to implement effectively.

For example, although they may seem harmless, decisions such as the number of USB ports can unintentionally create vulnerabilities. Each additional USB port represents a potential attack vector that malicious actors can exploit to gain unauthorized access to your industrial systems. Choosing a platform with only essential USB ports minimizes this risk significantly.

On the software and firmware side, the system BIOS and boot process should also be carefully considered and documented. These fundamental system components often contain the most privileged access levels and, if compromised, can give attackers complete control over your industrial operations.

Practical Industrial Cybersecurity: Real-World Solutions

Cost-Effective Security Through Smart Hardware Choices
Some may argue that custom hardware solutions are financially impractical for lower-volume deployments. In such cases, suppliers can offer their expertise to provide "customizations" of standard products that enhance security without breaking the budget.

For example, Contec's BX-M2500 box computer provides the capability to configure USB ports by selecting from several configuration options. This feature, combined with BIOS password protection, can greatly improve your edge computing security posture without requiring a completely custom solution.

Key Security Features of the BX-M2500:

• Configurable USB port options (reducing attack surface)
• BIOS password protection
• Secure boot capabilities
• Industrial-grade chassis protection
• Extended temperature operation (-10°C to +60°C)
• Vibration and shock resistance

This example highlights how cybersecurity considerations should shape hardware selection from the earliest stages of your project planning.

Physical Security: The Often-Forgotten First Layer

Other important factors include the physical location and security of the device. Placing a boxed computer on a manufacturing line can put it at risk of tampering, and potentially compromising data integrity. The end goal of cybersecurity is to protect that data, which comes in many different forms in industrial environments.

Physical Security Considerations for Industrial Environments:

1. Tamper-evident seals and enclosures
2. Secure mounting systems that prevent easy removal
3. Environmental protection from dust, moisture, and temperature extremes
4. Cable management that prevents unauthorized access
5. Strategic placement away from high-traffic areas

For example, it is imperative to ensure that sensors properly communicate with the computers and that algorithms perform as expected, thus achieving the goal of protecting the data that enables the algorithm to function properly, resulting in expected actions and outcomes.

The Secure Chassis: Your Physical Cybersecurity Foundation

The importance of a secure chassis in a solution is sometimes overlooked. This component provides not only protection from an often-rugged industrial environment but also protection from cybercriminals who might attempt physical access to your systems.

The AI Edge Computing Security Challenge

Now that we are in the age of artificial intelligence, the demand for advanced computing power is increasing daily. One of the platforms that excel in this application is NVIDIA's Jetson, which includes small, power-efficient modules and developer kits that power generative AI at the edge.

However, relying solely on the SDK or module as a final solution is not enough; additional features are needed to ensure reliability and security. Part of that reliability lies in the chassis, which serves as the first layer of security, providing a physical barrier that prevents easy physical access to the module.

Advanced Security Features for AI Edge Computing:

• Intrusion detection systems that alert security personnel if hardware is compromised
• Secure element chips for hardware-based authentication
• Encrypted storage for sensitive AI models and data
• Secure communication protocols for data transmission
• Hardware-based random number generation for cryptographic operations

Contec box computers also include a variety of features that make them a more robust solution, such as:

• Wide range of input voltages (9-36V DC)
• Tolerance to high temperatures and dusty environments
• Standard certifications (CE, FCC, UL)
• Long-term availability and lifecycle management

When considering cybersecurity requirements, it is essential to consider the consequences of physical access to a device. Choosing the right hardware is the first step to a secure system.

Implementing a Comprehensive Industrial Cybersecurity Strategy

Phase 1: Risk Assessment and Planning

• Identify Critical Assets: Catalog all industrial systems, data, and processes that could impact operations if compromised.
• Threat Modeling: Analyze potential attack vectors specific to your industrial environment and operations.
• Compliance Requirements: Understand industry-specific regulations and standards that apply to your operations.
  

Phase 2: Hardware Security Foundation

• Secure Hardware Selection: Choose industrial computing platforms with built-in security features like TPM, secure boot, and hardware encryption.
• Physical Security Implementation: Deploy tamper-evident enclosures, secure mounting systems, and environmental monitoring.
• Network Infrastructure: Implement network segmentation, industrial firewalls, and secure communication protocols.
  

Phase 3: Ongoing Security Operations

• Monitoring and Detection: Deploy security monitoring tools designed for industrial environments with minimal operational impact.
• Incident Response: Develop and test incident response procedures that balance security with operational continuity.
• Regular Updates: Establish procedures for security updates that work within industrial maintenance windows.

Your Next Steps:

1. Assess your current cybersecurity posture using the framework outlined in this article
2. Evaluate your hardware security features and identify gaps in your current systems
3. Develop a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy that addresses both immediate needs and long-term threats
4. Partner with experienced providers who understand the unique challenges of industrial cybersecurity

By prioritizing cybersecurity in hardware selection and system design, businesses can reduce the risk and costs of lost data, damaged reputations, and operational disruptions.

The investment in proper edge computing security and IoT hardware security measures pays dividends not just in protection, but in competitive advantage, customer confidence, and operational excellence.

Remember: in industrial cybersecurity, your hardware choices today determine your security posture for years to come. Choose wisely, and secure your industrial future.

Ready to strengthen your industrial cybersecurity posture? Contact Contec Americas to learn how our secure, industrial-grade computing solutions can protect your critical operations while maintaining the performance and reliability your business demands. Call (888) 285-0172 or visit our cybersecurity solutions page to explore our comprehensive range of secure industrial computing platforms.