"IoT sensors, AR devices and autonomous vehicles boost efficiency, yet a single cyber incident can halt operations entirely."
Traditional ICS now coexist with drones, autonomous trucks and remote telemetry, north-south and east-west network links dramatically expand attack surface.
Remote sites often run proprietary, outdated protocols with minimal built-in security, leaving telemetry and control systems exposed.
Mining OT networks are often less hardened than IT: IoT links convert negligible vulnerabilities into prime targets.
Compromised OT can stop extraction, endanger workers and even inflict environmental damage.
Increasing high-impact OT attacks: malware on control systems, ransomware locking out IT and OT alike. Convergence, connectivity, geographic spread and low OT security maturity inflate risk exposure.
Mining OT networks are often less hardened than IT: IoT links convert negligible vulnerabilities into prime targets. Compromised OT can stop extraction, endanger workers and even inflict environmental damage.
We recommend a two-phase, holistic OT cyber risk program:
Identify critical OT functions (autonomous vehicles, drones, crushers), assess impact of disruptions, and engage engineers to map real-world attack paths: covering network maps, access controls, supply chains and physical security.
Establish formal policies, procedures and playbooks aligned to: Typical elements: Governance model (RACI roles), End-to-end operating model, Regulatory compliance mapping, Asset inventory, Network diagrams, Incident response plan.
These services are best suited to address the OT risks in this industry.