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What is cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity serves as the last line of defence against adversaries attempting to compromise the safety of computers, devices, networks and data. It safeguards against unauthorised access, theft, loss or damage. A breach can have far-reaching consequences, directly impacting people’s livelihoods, communities, health and well-being, while eroding the trust organisations have worked hard to build in an instant.
The essence of cybersecurity lies in protecting digital systems, data and infrastructure. However, as technology becomes more entrenched in personal and professional spaces, the challenge evolves due to rapid advancements and increasing reliance on new technologies. From workplaces to homes, every click, device and network we interact with carries potential vulnerabilities.
What does cybersecurity look like tomorrow?
Cutting-edge technologies have become more intertwined with businesses and communities today, increasing operational efficiencies and providing greater quality-of-life improvements. However, the rapid adoption and evolution of these technologies create new security challenges that are yet to be addressed. The swift adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), more advanced robotics, autonomous transport systems, and the digitisation of critical infrastructure continually alters the risk dynamics involved with technology use, and these issues require urgent attention.
Emerging challenges in cybersecurity
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AI and automation
The widespread integration of AI and automation poses questions about the systems’ ability to perform its required operations. Trust needs to be built that these tools are performing tasks that are safe and secure across a wide area of influence. Threat actors are also leveraging AI to launch more frequent cyberattacks that are more sophisticated and harder to recognise. -
Interconnected systems
The increased interconnectedness of systems means more dependencies on a wider range of external influences, from people to robots, on-premise to cloud, business-to-business, and business-to-consumer. Feeding the wrong information to these systems could lead to undesirable consequences. Reliable communication, higher integrity systems and establishing trust are necessary to address this challenge. -
Digitisation of critical infrastructure
Infrastructure such as energy grids and water services have become more digitised to improve operations, efficiency and asset management. While modernisation has its benefits, it also introduces complexities that make them more susceptible to cyberattack. Breaches in these systems pose real-world threats, such as blackouts and disruption to water supply.
Technological advancements often push the boundaries of innovation and engineering, but they also highlight the need for greater vigilance, collaboration and resilience in cybersecurity.
Establishing trust and effectiveness in cybersecurity
The invasive nature of cyber threats calls for systems that people can trust. However, how do we build confidence and certainty in the technology used to protect assets? And how can we validate that our methods are effective?
Addressing these questions requires a multi-faceted approach across organisations, involving trusted processes and advanced technologies. Companies need to develop verifiable and validated security practices, integrating secure designs into their technological solutions from the ground up.
Verification and validation
Regularly and rigorously test and review all implemented cybersecurity measures. This makes organisations and systems adaptive to new challenges so that they deliver the required protections. For example, verify data integrity through advanced technology like blockchain or harness AI to perform real-time anomaly detection.
Proven practices with innovative solutions
Establish layered defences combining human oversight with advanced technologies like AI to expand the ability to detect and respond to cyber events. Integration of tools like Entity and Behaviour Analytics alongside robust training programs leads to technological and personnel readiness.
Building confidence
Confidence is built through measurable outcomes. For businesses, this means audits, transparent reports and consistent upgrades to security frameworks. These efforts establish trust in the processes and technologies which then needs to be managed through regular communication to stakeholders.
Management of change
Change must be deliberate, documented and secure. In operational technology, this involves assessing the impact on systems, people and processes, as well as understanding the benefits of the proposed change. Employ robust design and thorough testing before deployment to confirm cybersecurity is maintained without disrupting operations.
How GHD implements cybersecurity
We focus on embedding cybersecurity by design, offering clients tailored and sustainable security strategies. Below are insights into two projects that highlight GHD’s capability in safeguarding critical infrastructure and operational systems:
1. Cybersecurity throughout the project lifecycle in rail
GHD Digital has worked on Australia's largest public transport project, embedding cybersecurity design into its lifecycle from the outset to manage driverless trains. We conducted security risk assessments for line wide systems and train signalling and maintenance operations to meet New South Wales's standards and the IEC 62443 international cyber standards. This provided:
- Enhanced security readiness from the start, reducing risks as the metro expanded
- A consistent, industry-aligned framework that aids in future project phases
- Scalable cybersecurity design solutions for long-term operational safety
2. Improving network security for a water services provider
For one of Australia's largest regional water service providers, we created a robust cybersecurity framework grounded in the NIST standards. Our team delivered a clear roadmap that prioritised critical vulnerabilities, aligning practical solutions with budget considerations. This resulted in:
- Identification of critical vulnerabilities prioritised by urgency
- A roadmap addressing short-term fixes and long-term improvements
- Alignment of strategies with operational requirements to reduce risks
- An affordable yet robust implementation plan delivered on budget and time
Bolstering cybersecurity amidst future uncertainty
The rapid pace of change in technology calls for a proactive, resilient approach to cybersecurity to mitigate risks to infrastructure, operations and assets. It is crucial to leverage experienced cybersecurity professionals and take on a collaborative approach for organisations’ systems to be well-protected yet flexible enough to evolve with emerging challenges.
Want to go deeper?
To dive deeper into the evolving cyber threat landscape and discover actionable strategies for protecting vital systems, download GHD’s report on critical infrastructure cybersecurity.
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