The recent release of the National Cybersecurity Strategy by the White House is a pivotal moment for our collective digital security. While collaboration between public and private sectors is highlighted, it's imperative to recognise the vulnerabilities stemming from decades-old legacy devices still in operation. Although new regulations can ensure security for future technologies, they can't immediately address the risks posed by these ageing systems.
The healthcare sector is a prime example, with a significant number of digital medical devices containing unpatched vulnerabilities, leaving them susceptible to attacks. While recent legislation, like the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act, empowers the FDA to enforce stronger security requirements for medical device manufacturers, this process will take time, and the threat landscape remains active.
To counter these risks, real-time visibility into connected device inventories, encompassing IoT, IoMT, operational technology (OT), and cyber-physical systems, is crucial. This proactive approach to identifying vulnerabilities and risky behaviour is the first step toward maximizing security. Every organization, irrespective of mandates, should adopt this strategy. Together, we can build a cyber-resilient future, fortifying our digital environment against relentless threat actors who endanger public safety and economic security.
#Cybersecurity #LegacyRisk #ConnectedDevices #Collaboration #VisibilityIntoThreats
Source: forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2023/08/02/addressing-the-national-legacy-of-iot-and-ot-risk/?sh=689c1c91c3d6