Book Image

Critical Infrastructure Security

By : Soledad Antelada Toledano
Book Image

Critical Infrastructure Security

By: Soledad Antelada Toledano

Overview of this book

Discover the core of cybersecurity through gripping real-world accounts of the most common assaults on critical infrastructure – the body of vital systems, networks, and assets so essential that their continued operation is required to ensure the security of a nation, its economy, and the public’s health and safety – with this guide to understanding cybersecurity principles. From an introduction to critical infrastructure and cybersecurity concepts to the most common types of attacks, this book takes you through the life cycle of a vulnerability and how to assess and manage it. You’ll study real-world cybersecurity breaches, each incident providing insights into the principles and practical lessons for cyber defenders striving to prevent future breaches. From DDoS to APTs, the book examines how each threat activates, operates, and succeeds. Additionally, you’ll analyze the risks posed by computational paradigms, such as the advancement of AI and quantum computing, to legacy infrastructure. By the end of this book, you’ll be able to identify key cybersecurity principles that can help mitigate evolving attacks to critical infrastructure.
Table of Contents (16 chapters)
1
Part 1: Introduction to Critical Infrastructure and Cybersecurity Concepts
5
Part 2: Dissecting Cyberattacks on CI
8
Part 3: Protecting Critical Infrastructure
12
Part 4: What’s Next

Common unpatched vulnerabilities

In the digital age, the importance of timely patching cannot be overstated. Neglecting to patch systems and applications in a timely manner can have dire consequences, as it opens the door for cyber adversaries to exploit vulnerabilities and infiltrate essential systems. In this section, we will explore the significance of timely patching and shed light on the common unpatched vulnerability exploits that adversaries often leverage to target CI systems.

The significance of timely patching

Timely patching is a fundamental pillar of cybersecurity, especially when it comes to protecting CI. Here are some key reasons why it’s essential.

Vulnerability remediation

Patches are released by software and hardware vendors to address known vulnerabilities. Applying patches promptly closes these security holes, reducing the risk of exploitation.

Even though zero-day vulnerabilities (unpatched and unknown vulnerabilities) pose a significant threat...