An expert in the field of cybersecurity confirmed that the rapid development of cyberattacks threatens to cause huge damage to the global economy, especially since these attacks can target all industrial systems at the same time, which represents the highest level of threat to critical infrastructure and assets around the world, and he believes that system threats The industrial sector is one of the most prominent cyber threats facing the Middle East region.
(Robert M. Lee), CEO of Dragos, a global leader in cybersecurity, indicated that the past year 2022 witnessed a dangerous development in malware targeting industrial systems, as a new set of malware tools was discovered capable of targeting an industrial sector. Not only that, all at once, but potentially all industrial systems.
He said the new threat, called PIPEDREAM, represents the highest level of threat to critical infrastructure in the world, given its massive potential to spread across many sectors and industries.
Saudi vision of cyber security
Regarding the cyber threats facing the Middle East, Dragos CEO believes that the threats to industrial systems, including the possibility of increasingly sophisticated and scalable attacks, represent a great danger in the region, especially in Saudi Arabia.
And he indicated that the industrial establishments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, especially with the great digital transformation, are at risk of this type of complex and rapidly spreading attacks, pointing out that the Saudi government and the owners of private establishments are aware of the importance of cybersecurity solutions to protect industrial control systems ICS, and its operational technologies OT, He described the Saudi steps in this regard as "a very mature position in the region."
He continued, saying: “Saudi Arabia has an advanced vision regarding cybersecurity solutions, and it has alignment on the necessary measures to protect society from cyberattacks, which are measures that are almost comparable to other measures in the world.”
Protecting industrial environments
On the protection of industrial environments, Robert M. Lee advised technical leaders to follow a path dedicated to the unique challenges and tasks of OTs, pointing out that if they seek to imitate their own IT strategies and apply them to OT environments, they will fail to protect their industrial systems.
The CEO of (Dragos), in his capacity as a member of the Cyber Security Center of the World Economic Forum (CSS), spoke about the center's priorities in facing cyber challenges and improving digital trust in the world, and said that they are represented in building electronic resilience, enhancing global cooperation, and understanding future networks and technologies with the aim of exploring challenges. and cybersecurity opportunities in the future.
Cyber security platform
Regarding the tasks of (Dragos) in countering cyber attacks, (Robert M. Lee) said: “Dragos focuses on supporting the industrial community, providing its cybersecurity platform to customers, and working to enhance collective defense; By helping to foster a collaborative strategy in which organizations work together to defend against cyber threats, and to provide resources; to build knowledge and training, and transfer knowledge through our experts to local experts; To ensure that Saudi citizens are the leading experts in the field of cyber security in the world.
He added that the technology of the (Dragos) platform gives customers a view of industrial control systems and their operational technologies, in addition to the vulnerabilities that they need to discover. To defend, respond to, detect and prevent threats.
He pointed out that the strength of the Dragos platform is represented in the intelligence of its operating technologies, its ability to record threats, provide in-depth forensic evidence, and technology operating manuals. To help organizations quickly respond to incidents, as well as support from Dragos experts; To help build safe, effective OT programs.
(Robert M. Lee) emphasized that the company's mission is to protect the industrial infrastructure on which we depend; By providing cyber security solutions for industrial control systems, their operational technologies, and the protection of industrial enterprises in the fields of electricity, oil, gas, manufacturing, building automation systems, chemicals, governments, water, food, beverages, mining, transportation, and pharmacy.
