Modern Mining July 2021

CYBERSECURITY

The rising threat of cyber-attacks in the Increasingly, mining companies are looking to adopt smart technologies to optimise production and decision-making to future-proof their businesses. The reliance on such connected and internet-dependent systems, however, is not without its risks. According to PwC, as reliance on autonomous and digital technology grows, so too does the risk of cyber-attacks. By Munesu Shoko .

T he mining industry is increasingly making use of innovative and cutting-edge technologies to run more efficient operations, to manage risk, to improve health and safety, reduce the cost of maintenance and extraction, as well as bring‑ ing about a skills uplift. The COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated the digitisation of the work process, as well as the adoption of automation and other innovative tools in the mining industry. Digital is a pivotal game-changer in the mining industry. It is disrupting mining operations and busi‑ ness models and, in some instances, changing the entire fabric of the mining industry. According to a PwC research, new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), Robotic Process Automation (RPA), smart sensors, big data analytics, 3D printing and machine learning will all boost productivity in the mining industry. However, as technologies become more inter‑ connected, the potential cybersecurity threats and attack vectors are growing. The conse‑ quences of these threats can be severe, resulting in production and revenue losses, regulatory fines, reputational damage, as well as the shutdown of critical infrastructures. This has been further compounded by the com‑ plexities and uptake of smart systems that use

advanced technologies such as machine learning and IoT. PwC has issued a point of view on emerg‑ ing cyber threats in the mining and manufacturing industries. The document focuses on emerging cyber threats affecting these sectors, with a focus on South African and other Africa-based organisations. Although there are considerable benefits in the convergence of these advanced technological sys‑ tems and the operational technology that makes up the backbone of the sectors, it is important to note that the reliance on such connected and internet- dependent systems is not without its own risks. Different cyber threats Organisations in the manufacturing and mining sec‑ tors face a myriad of different cyber threats. Junaid Amra, PwC Forensics Technology Solutions leader, says that a number of organisations have not been paying enough attention to these threats. They are also not prioritising the implementation of the appro‑ priate mitigation strategies, while threat actors are starting to take an interest in organisations operating in this space. “Due to the increasing level of technology adop‑ tion, the consequences of attacks on organisations in these sectors can be far-reaching and potentially devastating. It is therefore important for businesses to understand key risk areas, attack vectors and vul‑ nerabilities to ensure that they employ the correct

As technologies become more interconnected, the potential cybersecurity threats and attack vectors are growing.

Photo by Adi Goldstein on Unsplash

32  MODERN MINING  July 2021