Complexity breeds potential points of failure, and a few failures are more devastating than a data breach. As a company grows in headcount and revenue, its potential attack surface swells with it. Too often its cybersecurity strategy and risk posture lag. Enterprises cannot implement a sufficient cybersecurity strategy without understanding the fundamentals of identity security. Let’s explore two key concepts in modern cybersecurity through the lens of manufacturing: authentication and authorization.
Defining Authentication and Authorization
Authentication and Authorization are two distinct functions related to how users are identified and access applications. While these words are typically used interchangeably, they are specific terms for different things in the context of identity management. One relates to how a user confirms their identity, while the other builds upon that confirmation to assign privileges. Consider these expanded explanations:
- What is Authentication?
Authentication is validating your credentials such as Username/User ID and password to verify your identity. The system determines whether you are who you say you are using your credentials. In public and private networks, the system authenticates the user identity via login passwords. Authentication is typically done with a username and password, plus additional multi-factor steps of authentication.
- What is Authorization?
Authorization determines your ability to access the system and the levels of your access. If authentication is about proving who you are, identity authorization concerns the practical consequences of being authenticated. In other words, authorization is the process to determine whether the authenticated user has access to the products.
While authentication and authorization are critical to any industry operating on digital platforms, the realm of manufacturing carries some particularly complex challenges. A compromised robot with a crushing power of several thousands of pounds is not something you want to get running around in the wrong hands. An authorization platform must account for these “machine identities” on top of human user identities. In a secure identity fabric, machine identities must be just as tightly verified and monitored.
Only by implementing the proper policy and monitoring measures can manufacturers keep their systems safe, from employee databases to who gets to control the 30 meter-high piledriver.
The Challenges of Access Security in Manufacturing
Now, consider how these principles of authentication and authorization relate to the manufacturing industry. Cybersecurity threats targeting manufacturers are on the rise. The 2021 Global Threat Intelligence Report revealed that the worldwide manufacturing sector experienced a 300% increase in cyber-attacks. This trend has continued into the current year. Deloitte’s 2024 Cyber Threat Trends Report revealed a 400% increase in Internet of Things-based attacks, with manufacturing being the most targeted sector.
Even more troubling is the rise in attacks targeting the physical machinery used in manufacturing. The Wall Street Journal reports that ransomware attacks against manufacturers increased by 50% in 2023. This suggests the frightening possibility of hackers compromising heavy machinery, gaining access not only to private data but also direct control over potentially destructive systems. Previous victims of cyber-breaches include food companies, automotive factories, and even spacecraft component manufacturers. Imagine a malicious actor hijacking one of the packing, assembly, or welding mechanisms. The factory-floor damage to equipment and personnel could be catastrophic.
Furthermore, many manufacturing enterprises face exacerbated regulatory burdens due to their overseas status. Compliance standards including the international IEC 62443, NIS2 in the EU, CCoP 2.0 in Singapore, and NIST SP 800-171 all lay out specific authentication and authorization requirements. Even discounting the considerable damage done to risk posture, ignoring these regulations has steep consequences. These include higher liability, loss of reputation, and government fines.
Addressing Authentication and Authorization with IGA
Fortunately, many manufacturers are stepping up to combat these dangerous trends. Deloitte’s 2024 Manufacturing Industry Outlook reports that 76% of manufacturers are gaining enhanced transparency into their supply chain by adopting digital tools. Compromised credentials (the primary method of identity authentication) account for as much as 86% of data breaches. No wonder why authentication and authorization are considered critical vectors. These vectors require purpose-driven solutions, and several have arisen to meet the challenge including MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication) and other passwordless methods.
At the top of the list is Identity Governance and Administration (IGA). IGA helps keep track of what people are doing with their permissions and can automatically enforce policies. Identity governance is a cornerstone of mature identity management and is especially important for implementing adaptive MFA. These authentication methods overcome the vulnerabilities of traditional password systems by requiring additional verification steps such as timed login tokens and biometrics. Adaptive MFA also includes automated monitoring. This feature checks for suspicious activity in real time and can even lock out users flagged for potentially malicious activity. This, in turn, bolsters the security of the authorization process, ensuring that resources that are not accessed are quickly flagged.
However, IGA systems cannot properly administrate an identity fabric without a core management system. In part 2, we will look at the crucial role of Privileged Access Management (PAM) in enforcing IGA policies. With a well-designed IGA platform backed by a tailored PAM solution, your enterprise will finally be ready to face your authentication and authorization challenges.
Contact an identity advisor now and learn how Simeio sets up your authentication and authorization solutions for success.
