HOUSTON, TX--(Marketwired - August 27, 2013) - For more than two decades, the cyber threat of hackers and malicious software has continued to grow. Today, this threat represents one of the most serious security challenges. In 2012, according to the Industrial Control Systems Cyber Emergency Response Team (ICS CERT), 40 percent of all cyber attacks reported targeted the energy industry.
It's critical that companies take the right security precautions sooner rather than later. "Many legacy systems in oil and gas and other pieces of critical infrastructure are essentially wide open to attack or inadvertent infection," said Jeff Walsh, Cimation Director of Industrial IT. "The prevalence of nefarious information flow between amateur hackers is creating a huge problem for cyber security professionals."
To help educate companies in susceptible industries of the impeding threat and their best cyber security options, Cimation created "Not Hacking Around: Protecting Your Company from Cyber Attacks."
The first brief in a series of six on cyber security, available for free download at www.cimation.com/not-hacking-around, provides industry background and sets the stage for future discussion of specific vulnerabilities and remediation. Cimation is a global leader in automation, industrial IT and enterprise data solutions whose researchers recently presented on SCADA vulnerabilities at the Black Hat conference in Las Vegas.
"It is imperative with today's increased global connectivity that we provide our customers the very best in automation design and security for their critical process control systems," said Marc Ayala, Cimation ICS/SCADA Security Manager. "At Cimation, we are actively involved with groups like DHS, ICS-CERT, ISA and their local charters and actively present security awareness workshops for the Oil & Gas and Chemicals industries. Awareness and training are key in driving a successful security program."
"But it's not just about preventing cyber crime," Walsh said. "It's also about stopping the types of accidental exposure that are happening more and more often."
"Cyber security shouldn't be an afterthought; it should be built in from the get go," he added.
To download "Not Hacking Around: Protecting Your Company from Cyber Attacks," visit www.cimation.com/not-hacking-around.
About Cimation
Cimation is a leader in the delivery of automation technology projects, industrial IT consulting, and enterprise data solutions for the Energy Sector. With 6 offices throughout North America, Cimation is experienced in a wide variety of industrial projects, including Upstream Shale Oil & Gas Production, Upstream Offshore Oil & Gas Production, Midstream Gas Processing & Compression, Midstream Pipelines and Terminals & Storage.
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