Business owners routinely rely on software applications for just about everything, and for industries that deal with large equipment, software is heavily used for monitoring. Not only do apps make it easy to monitor the status of large machinery, but it can also be helpful for diagnosing issues and catching maintenance issues early. Apps can also be used to track the location and usage of machinery, which happens often in the construction industry. However, since software applications can be vulnerable to cyberattacks, it calls the security of these apps into question.
There’s no denying that using software makes a business vulnerable to attack, but sometimes there’s no other option. When it comes to using applications to monitor equipment, the benefits far outweigh the risks and potential for error.
The benefits of using applications to manage equipment
First and foremost, monitoring equipment with software provides insights you can’t get otherwise. With sensors attached to important components, you can get alerts when something isn’t right. For example, a simple sensor can alert you to a drop in pressure throughout a hydraulic system long before any human detects the drop. This gives you the ability to investigate and fix the issue long before it becomes problematic, avoiding downtime or damage.
The downside of using apps to manage and monitor equipment
Aside from malfunctions and incorrect data, cybersecurity threats are the biggest downside of monitoring equipment with software, especially if that software provides you with control over the system. If software can control the operation of equipment and systems, then hackers can do more than just steal your data – they can hack into and override the function of your equipment.
For large equipment that doesn’t rely on software to function, like electrical transformers, operating the equipment, including maintenance, is purely mechanical and manual. You won’t see a cybersecurity incident involving a hacked transformer unless it was a sensor or monitoring device that got hacked.
Even so, monitoring devices don’t control the operation of the transformer, so the damage won’t be significant. Worst case scenario, the owner of the transformer will need to buy new sensors or equipment if they’re compromised or destroyed. The exception would be if there has been equipment connected to a transformer that can trigger fans or alter voltage.
If you’re running equipment that is controlled by the actual software through an application, it’s at risk for being hacked and hijacked.
Cybersecurity risks are prevalent
There’s no point in trying to understand how and why hackers launch attacks against certain businesses or pieces of equipment. Sometimes there’s no rhyme or reason, and it’s random based only on the fact that hackers were searching for vulnerable equipment and happened to find yours.
Unfortunately, hackers are always one step ahead of cybersecurity professionals, and hacking contests allow ethical hackers to win prizes for discovering and exploiting vulnerabilities. For example, one hacking contest revealed major vulnerabilities in industrial control systems, where hackers were able to bypass authentication in a central component used in networks all over the industrial world.
Employee deception is a possibility
In addition to cybersecurity threats, it’s also possible that employees might take advantage of a system and manipulate the data or alter the application to hide their wrongdoing. For example, companies that monitor equipment or tools with RFID sensors and barcodes might find that employees are hacking into the system to either disable the trackers or spoof equipment location.
It’s unlikely that anyone would spoof the location of large equipment, like a backhoe, but you never know. Large construction equipment does get stolen once in a while, so it’s not impossible. However, this sort of mischief is more likely when the equipment in question is smaller, like tools and equipment that can be easily loaded into a vehicle and driven offsite. Probably nothing larger than a lawn mower. Sometimes employees “borrow” tools and equipment, but sometimes they steal it to either use or resell.
If you think there’s no way employees would bother manipulating your system to facilitate tool theft, think again. It happens all the time, and tool theft is the number one reason business owners implement tracking systems in the first place. Hopefully, that’s not happening, but don’t rule it out if you’ve noticed missing tools.
Are applications secure? Yes and no, but there’s no other option
Application and network security are ongoing requirements for every business. If you use software to control or monitor your equipment, it’s crucial to conduct regular cybersecurity tests to find and patch vulnerabilities before you get hacked.
