On November 21, 2024, at the Melia Hanoi Hotel, OPSWAT participated in Vietnam’s Cyber Security Day. During the event’s conference and exhibition, our cybersecurity experts shared insights into applying multi-layered technologies to secure critical infrastructure network systems. Vietnam’s Cyber Security Day 2024 was organized by the Vietnam Information Security Association in collaboration with the Authority of Information Security.
The Increasing Risk of Cyberattacks on Critical OT Systems During Digital Transformation
With the currently undergoing digital transformation in Vietnam, the risk of cyberattacks and cyberterrorism targeting critical IT (information technology) and OT (operational technology) systems is increasing. During the plenary session of the Vietnam Cyber Security Day conference, Mr. Cuong La, Vice President of R&D and General Director of OPSWAT Vietnam, discussed two cyberattacks on critical OT systems worldwide, Stuxnet (2010) and FrostyGoop (2024). He also proposed effective, comprehensive solutions to counter cyberattacks on critical IT and OT systems.
The Stuxnet Cyberattack
In June 2010, sophisticated malware spread via USB into the air-gapped network of Iran's Natanz nuclear facility, targeting Siemens' SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems. The malware manipulated centrifuge speeds to dangerous levels while masking abnormal activities on monitoring screens, damaging centrifuges, and disrupting uranium enrichment.
The FrostyGoop Cyberattack
The FrostyGoop malware, discovered in April 2024, attacked a local energy company. This attack resulted in 600 residential buildings being left without heating for two days. The attack utilized the Modbus protocol, a common ICS (industrial control systems) standard, to disrupt the operations of ICS and OT environments by sending malicious Modbus commands to the control systems.
Solutions to Secure Critical OT Systems
During the presentations, Mr. Cuong proposed effective solutions to avoid catastrophic attacks, like Stuxnet and FrostyGoop, on critical infrastructure facilities. A solution like OPSWAT's MetaDefender Kiosk™ can scan and block malware on portable storage devices before being introduced into organizations’ networks. For comprehensive protection and secure data transfer, Mr. Cuong suggested that organizations continuously update security patches and deploy MetaDefender Netwall™.
In addition, Implementing MetaDefender Industrial Firewall™ can act as the final defense layer to safeguard ICS, OT, and SCADA systems. He also introduced the MetaDefender platform, which is designed to protect critical IT-OT networks globally, offering comprehensive network security to address concerns about today's dangerous cyber threats.
Showcasing OPSWAT’s End-to-End IT/OT Cybersecurity Solutions
Attendees of the Vietnam Cybersecurity Day had the chance to experience OPSWAT's Cybersecurity Solutions firsthand. OPSWAT showcased a range of cybersecurity solutions for IT and OT by simulating cyberattacks on nuclear power plants and other critical IT and OT systems. Cybersecurity experts demonstrated OPSWAT's solutions for successfully preventing these attacks.
OPSWAT always welcomes cybersecurity experts, engineers, and students to explore and experience its technologies at the CIP (critical infrastructure protection) Lab located at its Vietnam offices:
- Ho Chi Minh City Office: 17th Floor, Saigon Giai Phong Newspaper Building, 436–438 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Ward 5, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Hanoi Office: 9th Floor, Lancaster Luminaire Building, 1152–1154 Lang Road, Lang Thuong Ward, Dong Da District, Hanoi.
To schedule a CIP Lab visit or to learn more about OPSWAT’s solutions, please contact our critical infrastructure experts.
You can also download the slide deck of our conference presentation to learn more about the Stuxnet and FrostyGoop cyberattacks and the implications of such attacks on national critical infrastructure.
