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In an era of rapid digital transformation, cyber security has emerged as a paramount concern, particularly for critical industries such as energy, healthcare, and transportation. As we approach the IET’s Cyber Security for Critical Industries 2024 conference, it is essential to delve into the latest cyber security challenges and explore how building resilient and responsive systems can help mitigate these risks.


The evolving cyber security landscape

The cyber security landscape is in a constant state of flux, with new threats emerging and existing ones becoming more sophisticated. Ransomware attacks, third-party vulnerabilities, mobile malware, and zero-day vulnerabilities in supply chains are among the significant challenges companies face today. Moreover, the relentless growth in cloud adoption and the decentralisation of digital capabilities across enterprises have increased the complexity of managing security exposures in a constantly evolving threat environment.


Building Resilient and Responsive Systems

To counter these challenges, companies must build resilient and responsive cyber security systems. Resilience in cyber security refers to the ability of systems to anticipate, withstand, recover from, and adapt to adverse conditions, stresses, attacks, or compromises. Responsive systems, on the other hand, are characterised by their ability to detect anomalies, analyse potential threats, respond to incidents, and recover from attacks quickly and effectively.

Harnessing New Techniques and Technologies


The rapid advancements in technology have led to the emergence of new cyber security techniques and technologies. The use of generative AI (GenAI) has become a mainstream capability, helping to improve the performance of cyber security functions. Behavioural analytics is another promising approach, involving the analysis of patterns of behaviour to identify unusual events and actions that may indicate cyber security threats. Additionally, the concept of 'zero trust' is gaining traction, operating on the principle of "never trust, always verify" to enhance the security of IT systems.

Looking Ahead: The 'Cyber Security for Critical Industries' Conference

The upcoming 'Cyber Security for Critical Industries' conference provides an excellent platform to delve deeper into these topics. The conference will focus on identifying the latest cyber security challenges facing critical industries and examining how these can be mitigated by building resilient and responsive systems. It will offer exclusive insights from industry experts, the latest developments in government policies, and case studies from key critical industries.

While the conference is an opportunity to learn and network, it is also a reminder of the collective responsibility we share in securing our digital future. As we continue to navigate the complex cyber security landscape, every step we take towards building more secure and resilient systems is a step towards a safer, more secure digital world.

In conclusion, cyber security is not just about implementing the right technologies; it is about fostering a security culture, investing in the right skills, and continuously adapting to the ever-evolving threat landscape. As we look forward to the insights and discussions at the 'Cyber Security for Critical Industries' conference, let us commit to making cyber security a top priority in our respective fields.

Cyber Securities for Critical Industries Conference, 10-11 September 2024 | London, UK

References:

"Ransomware Attacks on the Rise: Protecting Critical Infrastructure." Cyber security & Infrastructure Security Agency, 2022.
"Cloud Security Threats: Third-Party Risks and Mitigation Strategies." Gartner, 2021.
"Zero-Day Vulnerabilities and Supply Chain Attacks: Emerging Cyber security Threats." National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2020.
"The Future of Cyber security: Trends and Innovations." McKinsey & Company, 2022.
"Behavioral Analytics in Cyber security: Detecting Anomalies and Identifying Threats." Journal of Cyber security, 2019.

  • This article did not mention the critical role played by financial services such as banks.

    It also did not stress the importance of recovery times. If it takes more than a few days to resolve/correct the initial problem then that problem spreads out to other less critical industries.

    Peter Brooks MIET

    Palm Bay FL