A Kaspersky report highlights that one in three industrial companies regularly face network problems, with 45% experiencing issues multiple times per month. The report emphasizes the need for improved cybersecurity and network management solutions to prevent costly disruptions and safeguard business operations.
15 October 2024 – A recent Kaspersky report has revealed that one in three industrial companies face persistent network issues, with 45% of businesses reporting problems several times a month. Only 12% of respondents experience these issues less frequently, facing them once a year or less. The report, titled “Managing Geographically Distributed Businesses: Challenges and Solutions,” sheds light on the critical network and information security challenges plaguing industrial organizations with multiple locations.
Industrial companies typically operate through geographically dispersed infrastructures, managing factories, branch offices, and critical facilities across various regions. This structure introduces unique challenges, such as communication breakdowns, logistical complications, difficulties in maintaining operational consistency, and compliance with local regulations.
Adding to these concerns, industrial enterprises are increasingly grappling with IT infrastructure and cybersecurity issues. Nearly half (49%) of manufacturing companies highlighted the detection and resolution of cybersecurity incidents as their most pressing challenge. Other significant concerns include monitoring the implementation of security measures (46%) and establishing a unified security policy (42%).
In terms of network reliability, 30% of respondents reported regular occurrences of network failures, poor service performance, and inadequate connection capacity. The frequency of these disruptions varies, with 38% experiencing issues one to three times a month, 28% encountering problems every few months, and 7% suffering network failures weekly.
When it comes to recovery times following outages, most companies (74%) reported needing between one and five hours to restore operations, while 15% said they could resolve issues within one hour. However, 10% of respondents required up to a full working day to resume normal functions. These delays not only result in financial losses but also damage reputations, potentially costing companies thousands of dollars per minute in downtime.
Maxim Kaminsky, Business Development Manager for Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) at Kaspersky, emphasized the severe impact of network disruptions. “When network issues arise, production slows, financial losses mount, and reputational damage can be extensive. Timely and strategic measures to prevent and address these challenges are essential to ensure business continuity.”
To mitigate these risks, Kaspersky recommends using OT XDR platforms like Kaspersky Industrial CyberSecurity (KICS) to provide centralized asset management, security audits, and scalability. For companies requiring centralized network management, Kaspersky suggests its SD-WAN solution, which enhances application performance and supports the construction of reliable networks. The integration of both solutions offers comprehensive protection, enabling centralized monitoring and safeguarding industrial operations.
