Programs Controlling ICS Robotics Are 'Wide Open' to Vulnerabilities

Most manufacturers have connected their operational technology – including industrial control systems and robotic equipment –to the internet, yet the lack of basic security protocols leave these companies open to cyberattacks. Dewan Chowdhury, founder of MalCrawler, said that many robotics that work as part of industrial systems on manufacturing floors are still leveraging outdated and unsupported operating systems – such as Windows XP. Chowdhury presented his research at a SAS session titled "Hack Your Robot". "Even before the robotics, the issue is that the programs that control the robotics are completely wide open to vulnerabilities," said Chowdhury. For manufacturing companies, cybersecurity threats are beginning to make headlines.