Safety and Security Violations
Safety and security violations, when considered within an ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) framework, primarily fall under the "Social" component. They involve a company's failure to establish and maintain safe and secure conditions for its workers, customers, and the communities it impacts.
In the context of cybersecurity, safety and security violations can manifest in ways that might not be immediately obvious but have significant consequences:
Critical Infrastructure Attacks:
Cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure (e.g., power grids, water treatment plants, and transportation systems) can have devastating safety consequences.
A company's failure to implement robust cybersecurity measures to protect critical infrastructure can be seen as a safety and security violation, especially if it leads to physical harm or endangers public safety.
Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Vulnerabilities:
Like critical infrastructure, industrial facilities rely on ICS to control machinery and processes.
If a company neglects the cybersecurity of its ICS, it can create vulnerabilities that could lead to accidents, equipment malfunctions, and harm to workers or the environment.
Data Breaches Leading to Physical Harm:
In some cases, data breaches can have direct safety implications. For example, a patient data breach in a hospital could compromise medical devices or systems, leading to errors in treatment or care.
A company's failure to protect sensitive data, where a breach could foreseeably lead to physical harm, can be considered a safety and security violation.
Neglecting Cybersecurity in Product Development:
Companies that develop products with embedded technology (e.g., connected cars, and IoT devices) are responsible for ensuring their security.
Suppose a company releases a product with known cybersecurity vulnerabilities that could be exploited to cause physical harm (e.g., hacking a connected car's brakes). In that case, this is a safety and security violation.
Workplace Safety Compromised by Cyberattacks:
Cyberattacks can disrupt workplace safety systems or processes. For example, a ransomware attack could disable safety monitoring systems or prevent workers from accessing safety protocols.
A company's failure to protect its systems from such attacks, where it foreseeably compromises workplace safety, can be a safety and security violation.
These examples show that safety and security in cybersecurity go beyond simply protecting data. They involve ensuring that digital systems and technologies do not create unsafe conditions or increase the risk of physical harm.
To explain how ThreatNG helps address safety and security violations in the context of cybersecurity, here's a breakdown:
1. How ThreatNG Helps
External Discovery: ThreatNG's external discovery capabilities can help identify potential safety and security risks indirectly. By providing visibility into a company's external-facing systems and digital footprint, it can help uncover systems or platforms that, if compromised, could lead to safety violations. This is particularly relevant for companies with industrial control systems (ICS) or IoT devices.
ESG Exposure: ThreatNG's ESG Exposure rating is essential. It analyzes and highlights areas such as safety-related offenses.
For example, if a company has a history of safety violations or incidents, ThreatNG will reflect this as an ESG risk.
Suppose a company has a record of neglecting cybersecurity measures that could have safety implications (e.g., inadequate security for ICS). In that case, ThreatNG will flag this as a safety and security violation-related ESG concern.
Reporting: ThreatNG's reporting functions can highlight potential safety and security violations linked to cybersecurity practices.
ESG reports can highlight a company's history of safety violations and potential risks related to cybersecurity.
Technical reports can detail system vulnerabilities that, if exploited, could lead to safety incidents.
Continuous Monitoring: Continuous monitoring is crucial for detecting evolving safety and security risks. ThreatNG can help organizations stay aware of new vulnerabilities or threats that could compromise the safety of their operations.
Investigation Modules: ThreatNG's investigation modules can provide valuable insights:
Domain Intelligence: This module can help uncover information about a company's infrastructure and identify vulnerabilities in systems that control critical operations.
Code Repository Exposure: Discovering exposed code repositories can be relevant if they contain code related to ICS or other systems where security breaches could have safety consequences.
Sentiment and Financials: This module tracks lawsuits and legal actions, which can reveal a company's history of safety violations or legal challenges related to safety and security.
Intelligence Repositories: ThreatNG's intelligence repositories, particularly those related to ESG violations and threat intelligence, provide context for assessing safety and security risks.
2. ThreatNG Works with Complementary Solutions
ThreatNG's capabilities can be enhanced by integration with other systems:
Operational Technology (OT) Security Solutions: Integration with OT security solutions can provide a more comprehensive view of security risks in industrial environments. ThreatNG can provide external threat intelligence to complement internal OT security monitoring.
Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security Platforms: Integration with ICS security platforms can help organizations identify and manage cybersecurity risks that could impact the safety and reliability of industrial operations.
