With the increasing digitization, the danger of hacker attacks increase. But almost half of German companies still do not have a comprehensive IT security concept.
The numbers are scary. According to a study by the cybersecurity company Kaspersky, German companies still have a lot of catching up to do when it comes to computer security. In the past year alone, security experts registered cybercriminal attacks on 47.2 percent of industrial computers.
Lack of awareness in IT security
The sources of the infection have been known for years and yet the sensitivity of the staff is still lacking. According to Kaspersky, “most industrial computers are not infected by a targeted attack, but by widespread malware. “The malware is accidentally acquired over the Internet via removable storage devices such as USB sticks or emails,” explains Kirill Kruglov, security researcher at Kaspersky Lab ICS CERT. So the specialist advises to more training and a sensitization of the workforce.
Basically, a lot of IT security is already happening in German companies – big or small. However, according to Kaspersky estimates, theory and reality are still far apart. According to a Europe-wide study of their own, 80 percent of companies surveyed in Germany have taken precautions against cyber attacks. However, only 54.8 percent of corporate IT executives (54.8 percent) believe that their own systems are robust enough to fend off attacks.
BSI supports companies
Companies rin need of support in this area can contact the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) at any time. The authority has developed a basic IT protection. This methodology should make it possible to increase your own IT security. A corresponding compendium can be found on the website of the BSI. According to the agency, the compendium presents IT protection modules, in which the hazards and safety requirements for each topic are explained.
The three biggest sources of danger for industrial computers:
- Internet (26 percent)
- Removable Disks (8 percent)
- Emails (5 percent)
