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Mining industry must urgently strengthen patchy cybersecurity strategies to profit from IOT, Inmarsat research discovers

Enterprise

Majority of mining organisations report that cybersecurity has not been a priority for their  IoT solutions

New research from Inmarsat, the world leader in global, mobile satellite communications, has found that the majority of mining organisations are struggling to meet the security challenges presented by the Internet of Things (IoT) as they look for ways to harness the technology.

Despite a significant growth in IoT adoption across the sector in recent years, the continued lack of attention on cybersecurity means there is a heightened risk of projects failing before benefits can be realised. If mining businesses are to truly manage and deliver IoT initiatives in a secure way, they will need to raise cybersecurity higher up the company agenda, while addressing skills shortages across different leadership and key stakeholder positions.

These findings are taken from the 2020 edition of Inmarsat’s research programme into IoT trends, The Rise of IoT in Mining. The research found that, unsurprisingly, respondents were very aware of the damage that a cyberattack could trigger and the range of threats they are now facing as they ramp up IoT adoption. In particular, the insecure storage of collected data (56%), employees misusing data (54%), insecure network links to external infrastructure (49%), and ransomware and malware (45%) were the most highly-ranked security risks.

Despite awareness of these challenges, the industry’s response has so far been minimal. In fact, 53% of mining organisations reported that cybersecurity has not been a priority for their IoT solutions and could be vastly improved. Although some are taking steps to protect their IoT solutions by partnering with cybersecurity specialists (50%) and implementing 24/7/365 network monitoring (41%), it was worrying to see that 11% of mining businesses have not taken any steps to strengthen their approach to IoT security.

Commenting on the findings, Nicholas Prevost, Director of Mining, Inmarsat, said: “The mining sector stands to make considerable gains by leveraging IoT. However, as IoT connects more parts of a mining company’s operations and infrastructure to the internet, this will inevitably create more access points for potential security breaches. Although most organisations are aware of these new dangers, the measures that have been introduced to address them have, so far, been insufficient. Considering the sector’s reliance on data for its operations and productivity, it is particularly worrying to see that some mining organisations have not taken any action to ensure they have an adequate cybersecurity strategy in place, as any security breach or compromise of data would likely grind an entire operation to a halt.”

The research also revealed a clear need to address a growing gap in security-related skills across the sector. Over half (64%) of respondents reported lacking the level of security skills required when it comes to successfully delivering IoT-based solutions.

Prevost concluded: “Our research clearly showed that mining businesses are not upskilling their staff to securely manage and deliver their IoT initiatives. If there is a shortage of skills in key stakeholder positions, there will almost certainly be an absence of awareness of the importance of cybersecurity. This goes some way to explain the lack of action when it comes to improving IoT security. For those organisations that are striving to become pioneers in digital transformation, upskilling current members of staff and getting the right talent in place, at all levels of seniority and stakeholder positions, simply has to be at the top of the agenda.”

Further Information

About Inmarsat

Inmarsat is the world leader in global, mobile satellite communications. It owns and operates the world’s most diverse global portfolio of mobile telecommunications satellite networks, and holds a multi-layered, global spectrum portfolio, covering L-band, Ka-band and S-band, enabling unparalleled breadth and diversity in the solutions it provides. Inmarsat’s long-established global distribution network includes not only the world’s leading channel partners but also its own strong direct retail capabilities, enabling end to end customer service assurance.

The company has an unrivalled track record of operating the world’s most reliable global mobile satellite telecommunications networks, sustaining business and mission critical safety & operational applications for more than 40 years. It is also a major driving force behind technological innovation in mobile satellite communications, sustaining its leadership through a substantial investment and a powerful network of technology and manufacturing partners.

Inmarsat operates across a diversified portfolio of sectors with the financial resources to fund its business strategy and holds leading positions in the Maritime, Government, Aviation and Enterprise satcoms markets, operating consistently as a trusted, responsive and high-quality partner to its customers across the globe.

For further information, follow us on LinkedIn or on Twitter @InmarsatGlobal.

Contacts

Jonathan Sinnatt/ Matthew Knowles
Corporate Communications
Tel: +44 (0)20 7728 1518/1355
[email protected]

Inmarsat Enterprise

Inmarsat Enterprise is the leading global provider of satellite-enabled managed connectivity services for land-based organisations. We are enabling the Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) and helping transform business outcomes across a diverse set of sectors, including agriculture, aid and NGO, media, mining, oil and gas, renewable energy, transport and utilities. 

For further information, follow us on LinkedIn or on Twitter @InmarsatGlobal.

Contacts

Christian Stevens/Connor O’Keefe
Spreckley PR
Tel: +44 (0)20 7388 9988 
[email protected]

James Grisbrook
Director of Marketing and Communications
Inmarsat Enterprise
Tel: +44 (0)7872 158548
[email protected]