Secure Out-of-Band Collaboration: Why It’s the Cornerstone for Incident Response in the Energy Sector
The hard divide between OT and IT is a long-standing tradition in the Energy industry but the lines between OT and IT in Energy are blurring more and more as both contend with a cyber security reality where adversaries find novel ways to impact both sides, and new cyber regulations further reduce tolerance for delays in responding during an incident. As this occurs, OT and IT teams need to re-think about how they communicate during a crisis.
The focus of cyber security strategy continues to evolve in this shifting environment as well. Attention and funding are increasingly being funnelled towards tools and strategies on how to survive a cyber attack, not just try (and fail) to prevent one. Within this post-breach reality, it becomes clear that the ability to maintain secure communications during a crisis is not a nice to have – it’s a cornerstone for effective incident response. Out-of-band collaboration platforms play a crucial role in this framework because they are built for the post-breach scenarios we now face; when our day to day network, tools and collaboration capabilities can’t be trusted.
ArmorText, recognized for its pioneering solutions in secure out-of-band collaboration, addresses the dual needs of post-breach incident response (right of bang) and proactive threat intelligence sharing (left of bang). These capabilities ensure that energy firms are not only ready to respond after a breach occurs but are also equipped to detect and mitigate threats before they can cause damage.
Importance of Incident Response in the Energy Sector
As highlighted by the 2024 Cybersecurity Posture Report, the energy sector’s infrastructure is a prime target for cyberattacks, such as ransomware and state-sponsored espionage, due to its critical role in national security and the economy. The stakes are exceptionally high; a successful attack can lead to widespread service disruptions, safety hazards, and substantial economic losses. This sector faces specific challenges due to the complexity and interconnectedness of its systems and the potential for attacks that exploit both physical and cyber vulnerabilities.
Real-world incidents underscore these challenges. For example, the activities of the Lapsus$ group reveal how cybercriminals exploit systemic vulnerabilities to infiltrate and extort high-profile targets. By targeting the energy sector’s communications tools, like Microsoft Teams and Slack, Lapsus$ was able to manipulate and disrupt operations long before their activities were detected. This example highlights the fragility of relying on standard communication channels, which can become espionage tools in the hands of skilled attackers.
ArmorText provides a secure communication platform that supports out-of-band, end-to-end encrypted interactions. For example, during the SolarWinds incident, ArmorText facilitated secure, real-time communications among affected entities, allowing them to share indicators of compromise and remediation strategies without risking further exposure to the attacker. Similarly, in the aftermath of the Log4j vulnerability discovery, ArmorText enabled collaborative discussions on patch management and vulnerability assessments across different entities within the energy sector.
By addressing these vulnerabilities, ArmorText’s Secure Out of Band Collaboration™ platform provides a critical defense mechanism, enabling energy firms to maintain operational integrity in the face of cyber threats. This approach not only helps to mitigate the impact of breaches but also strengthens the sector’s overall cybersecurity posture by enhancing its ability to anticipate and respond to threats.
ArmorText’s Role in Enhancing Sector-Wide Security
ArmorText’s significant integration within the US energy sector underscores its role in bolstering national cybersecurity infrastructure. With its technology deployed across major energy utilities and private sector nuclear reactors, ArmorText provides a secure backbone for critical communications. This integration extends to supporting esteemed programs such as the DOE’s Cybersecurity Risk Information Sharing Program (CRISP) and various Information Sharing and Analysis Centers (ISACs), which are essential for collective defense efforts in the energy sector.
The Secure Out of Band Collaboration™ platform’s robust architecture not only facilitates proactive threat intelligence sharing among utilities but also ensures swift and secure incident response. By allowing utilities to federate and communicate securely with entities like the Electricity ISAC (E-ISAC), ArmorText creates an environment where critical information about threats and vulnerabilities can be shared rapidly and securely, enhancing the sector’s overall resilience to cyber threats.
Right of Bang: Secure Incident Response
In the aftermath of a cyber breach, secure and reliable out-of-band communication channels become the lifeline of an effective response strategy. ArmorText excels in maintaining these channels during crises, ensuring that communications remain uninterrupted and isolated from compromised networks.
This capability is crucial for preventing further data breaches and facilitating a quicker recovery, as it allows incident response teams to coordinate their efforts securely and efficiently without the risk of eavesdropping or data manipulation by adversaries.
ArmorText’s secure out-of-band collaboration platform ensures that even during the most severe cyber incidents, critical response communications can proceed without interference. This security is vital for energy firms, where the timely coordination of response strategies can significantly mitigate the impact of attacks on critical infrastructure.
Integration of External Stakeholders
ArmorText allows admins to rapidly onboard additional parties without relying on in-band infrastructure, IDP, or even compromised email domains, to seamlessly connect critical external stakeholders during crisis management, ensuring that energy firms can swiftly bring law enforcement, Digital Forensics and Incident Response (DFIR) teams, and external legal counsel into the communication loop without compromising security. This capability is crucial during incident response, where the coordination between internal teams and external partners must be both rapid and secure from compromised networks and tools.
Our Secure Out of Band Collaboration™ platform’s capabilities ensure that all communications remain end-to-end encrypted, adhering to the highest standards of compliance and operational integrity. By leveraging ArmorText, energy firms can ensure that sensitive information shared during crisis situations is protected from unauthorized access, maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of the response process.
Left of Bang: Proactive Threat Intelligence Sharing
One key approach to a resilient security posture is adopting a post-breach mentality in your pre-breach planning and behaviors, i.e. operating under the assumption that a breach has already occurred. Threat intelligence sharing (TIS) plays a critical role in encouraging that post-breach mentality and ArmorText supports this approach by providing out-of-band collaboration tools that enable secure, real-time threat intelligence sharing. ArmorText allows energy firms to gather and disseminate information about potential threats and vulnerabilities in real time, effectively enabling them to anticipate and mitigate risks before they escalate, without tipping off adversaries.
ArmorText’s secure out-of-band collaboration platform more effectively secures data and identities, allowing energy companies to more confidently maintain a high level of vigilance and preparedness to stay a step ahead of potential attackers. This proactive strategy is not just about responding more effectively; it’s about changing the security paradigm from reactive to preemptive, significantly enhancing the resilience of the entire energy sector against cyber threats.
Conclusion
Secure out-of-band collaboration platforms like ArmorText are essential in enhancing the cybersecurity posture of firms within the energy sector. By providing robust, secure out-of-band communication channels for both proactive threat intelligence sharing and reactive incident response, ArmorText helps these firms navigate the complexities of modern cybersecurity threats.
Energy firms must consider the broader implications of secure collaboration. Adopting platforms like ArmorText, which ensure comprehensive protection and enable effective response strategies, is critical for safeguarding critical infrastructure and maintaining national security.
By understanding and implementing advanced communication security measures, energy firms can significantly enhance their preparedness for and response to cyber threats, ensuring continuity and resilience in an increasingly digitized sector. Contact ArmorText to learn more.