Electricity + Control November 2017

Protecting Critical Infrastructure in Africa In a Converging IT/OT Environment

Goran Novkovic, Valiver

of critical infrastructure, placing national security, economy, public safety and health at risk … like never before. Due to the increasing pressures from external and internal threats, organisations responsible for critical infrastructure need to have a consistent and iterative approach to identifying, assessing, and managing cybersecurity risks. This approach is necessary regardless of size of the or- ganisation, threat exposure, or cybersecurity so- phistication today. Operational Technology (OT) and Industrial Control Systems (ICSs) are the fundamental components of national critical infrastructure in any country. Most sectors rely on ICSs to ensure process con- trol and safety, which ensure continuity of nation- al critical functions. Key industry sectors such as energy, water/wastewater, telecommunication, OT and ICS – fundamental components of national critical infrastructure

W e hear about cybersecurity incidents on a daily basis, but how relevant are these incidents to your organisation? Cybersecurity incidents are happening globally; do you think that they are just too far from you? If you are an organisation that manages critical infra- structure, these cybersecurity incidents are more relevant than you may think. National and economic security of Africa, South Africa in particular, depends on reliable function- ing of critical infrastructure. Cybersecurity threats exploit the increased complexity and connectivity As industrial cybersecurity attacks con- tinue to increase in frequency and so- phistication, we need to do everything to stay protected.

4 Electricity + Control

NOVEMBER 2017