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

NotPetya (2017)

NotPetya is one of the most notorious cyberattacks in history, believed to have been initiated by a state-sponsored actor. The malware rapidly spread across the globe, affecting thousands of computers in numerous organizations, and causing significant disruptions.

The malware was named NotPetya because, at first glance, it appeared to be a variant of the Petya ransomware, which had been previously identified and studied by cybersecurity experts. Petya was known for encrypting the MBR of infected systems, preventing them from booting up, and then demanding a ransom.

However, as researchers studied this new variant more, they found significant differences in its operation and intent. While Petya was a genuine ransomware that provided victims with the possibility (though not a guarantee) of decrypting their files after paying a ransom, NotPetya was designed more as a wiper, with the primary objective of causing destruction and disruption. Its encryption was done...