other devices across a factory floor , which leverage data analytics and AI-powered “ smart machines ” for greater automation , efficiency and productivity . So desirable are its potential benefits that global spending on IIoT platforms for manufacturing is expected to grow from $ 1.67 billion in 2018 to more than $ 12 billion in 2024 .
A growing number of connected “ things ” equates to a growing attack surface . Each of these things can be seen as an endpoint , and endpoints are vulnerable to exploitation by anyone with the will and the means to do so . By using such vulnerabilities as a point of entry , hackers can introduce malware into a manufacturer ’ s network ; to exfiltrate sensitive corporate information , for example , or to take control of systems – and even shut them down . Sometimes , their aim may be simply to wreak havoc . Devices can be hacked to misbehave , performing the wrong action , or communicating the wrong information with other connected devices , causing them to fail .
Compromised devices can also be used to disable an organisation ’ s IT network as part of a distributed denialof-service ( DDoS ) attack . Forming a botnet made up of a large number of compromised devices , attackers can bombard a victim ’ s server with queries , overwhelming it to the point that is no longer able to function .
These are , of course , only a few of the many threats faced by manufacturers today . Cyber criminals don ’ t rest on their laurels ; they ’ re constantly updat-
CENSORNET FACTS
• 55 % of UK businesses faced an attack in 2019
• Average losses from breaches rose to $ 369,000
• British firms have the lowest cyber security budgets , averaging a spend of $ 900,000 compared to $ 1.46mn across Europe
• Almost three quarters of firms were ranked as novices in terms of cyber readiness
• Eight in 10 UK firms have made changes since EU data protection rules were introduced last year
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