Keys to the Growth of the Industrial Security Market
The industrial security market is growing rapidly, what is the reason for this great growth? We'll tell you about it
According to a report by Market and Markets, the Industrial Control System (ICS) market is expected to grow from $7.82 billion in 2014 to $11.29 billion in 2019, i.e., an Annual Growth Rate of 7.6% from 2014 to 2019. Significant numbers, which indicate that something is moving (and very fast) in this sector… What is behind these figures? What is the reason for this great growth? What consequences will it bring? Let’s explain it.
In recent years, national and supranational institutions have been developing policies and regulations to ensure the proper functioning of critical infrastructures. These Infrastructures are found in networks and services whose interruption or destruction would have a major impact on the health, safety, or economic well-being of citizens and the efficient functioning of a country. In cases where these interruptions occur, there will always be costs of time, resources, and in the most extreme cases even lives.
Thus, we find ourselves in a scenario in which investments in the development of information, communication, and technology (ICT) are considered actions that not only contribute to the development of any country, but also to the construction of a better future for future generations.
Descending to a more operational level, all this translates into progress in the construction of robust and resilient security architectures to protect networks, records, and control systems. The Industrial Control System (ICS) is a vital aspect in the critical infrastructures of any country at the level ofue icadosso and of prevencite sector(public service pipelines, oil and gas, nuclear facilities, etc.) since they define the ability of organizations to secure their automation processes and critical information against (increasingly sophisticated) cyberattacks. Industrial control systems such as the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System or the Distributed Control System (DCS), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) are used to manage critical industrial infrastructures remotely from a central control room. But these systems are vulnerable and prone to being at risk due to cyber threats. Therefore, it is important that system security and risk reduction be the priority of all ICS users and that a proactive and preventive attitude be adopted against these threats.
The great sophistication, the specialization of these cyber threats are causing many security solution providers to be personalizing their offerings as much as possible according to the demands of each client. Companies are offering intrusion detection, encryption, and prevention systems with a level that matches the cyberattacks they face.
It is a fact that during these last years there has been a substantial increase in cyberattacks around the world. Threats such as Stuxnet, Flame, Dugu, and Night Dragon have spread and caused serious damage to critical infrastructures: power grids, oil pipelines… As the use of IT systems, data communication, or automatic command and control systems increases, these infrastructures have become more vulnerable.
Much of the problem lies in the fact that many ICS such as SCADA, DCS, and other systems such as HMI that are normally used for the control and monitoring of critical infrastructure processes and operations, such as power generation units, power grids, transport system infrastructures, manufacturing and chemical industry infrastructures, or public services, collect information from sensors that are connected by IT communications networks and are accessible via the Internet. In such a way that these systems become potentially vulnerable to remote attacks. In this context, network security solutions have no choice but to evolve at great speed, so it is not surprising that both public administrations and companies are already turning to robust and sophisticated security solutions.
Based on these premises, we can now better understand the figures handled by the report, as well as the scenario of sustained growth that is glimpsed in the near future for the ICS market.
