By Craig Staffin, CTO, BCS ISIT —
Imagine a castle in the Middle Ages—an imposing stronghold with high walls, a deep moat, an outer gate, and an inner gate, all designed to repel invaders. Guard towers stand vigilant, archers at the ready, their gaze fixed outward for any signs of approaching enemies. Every defense is aimed at preventing anyone from breaching the courtyard from the outside.
It worked well—until it didn’t.
The most famous example of this failure is the story of the Trojan Horse. The Trojans, believing their fortress was impenetrable, let down their guard and allowed a “gift” through their defenses. What they thought was a symbol of their enemy’s defeat turned out to be their undoing. Once the horse was inside, the enemy attacked from within, bypassing every carefully crafted outward defense.
Fast forward to today, and the parallels with cybersecurity are striking. Many companies treat their networks like medieval castles, focusing all their efforts on building high walls, strong moats, and vigilant guards to keep external threats at bay. But in the modern landscape, attackers no longer need to storm the gates—they can slip through unnoticed, hiding in plain sight within the perimeter.
Adding to this complexity, many organizations are shifting toward becoming data-driven or even pure data companies. From operational metrics to customer information, data has become the lifeblood of modern business. It is embedded in everything we do, making the protection of this data a top priority for organizations. Yet, this growing reliance on data also means that breaches now carry far greater consequences, exposing sensitive information, disrupting operations, and damaging reputations.
Today’s cybersecurity requires a paradigm shift. While a robust external security posture is essential, we must assume that breaches are inevitable. The question is no longer “if” an attacker gets in, but “when.” And when they do, will your organization be ready to respond, contain, and recover?
Low-Hanging Fruit: The Cyber Risks Facing Manufacturers and Farmers
Cyberattacks are no longer a distant threat for manufacturing, farmers, and contractors—they are an undeniable reality. At BCS, a leading technology provider in the Midwest, we’ve been called in for incident response to address numerous ransomware attacks in the manufacturing sector. In 2023, the manufacturing industry experienced the highest proportion of cyberattacks among all sectors, accounting for 25.7% of incidents globally. Similarly, ransomware attacks surged by 54% in January 2024 compared to January 2023, with the food and agriculture sector standing out as a primary target. These alarming figures highlight the vulnerabilities of sectors vital to economies worldwide.
Over 80% of manufacturers and agricultural businesses have critical cybersecurity vulnerabilities, effectively marking them as low-hanging fruit for cybercriminals. The interconnected nature of these industries, combined with aging infrastructure and limited investment in digital security, creates the perfect storm for breaches. A ransomware attack in manufacturing can shut down production lines for days, costing millions. For agriculture, a breach could disrupt supply chains, spoil goods, and damage business relationships beyond repair.
The consequences extend beyond financial loss and downtime. If a company’s infrastructure is breached, it could be weaponized to attack other organizations, exposing the victim to legal and financial liabilities. The ripple effects are significant, especially in industries where partners, vendors, and supply chains are tightly interconnected.
What’s more concerning is that cyberattacks are now more likely to disrupt operations than traditional threats like fires, floods, or tornadoes. Yet, many manufacturers and agricultural businesses continue to treat cybersecurity as an afterthought, focusing on physical risks while ignoring digital ones. This mindset is not only outdated but dangerous in a world where a cyber breach is a matter of “when,” not “if.”
The cost of inaction far outweighs the investment in prevention. Robust cybersecurity measures, such as Extended Detection and Response (XDR) and Security Operations Centers (SOC), are no longer optional—they are critical business necessities.
The Power of XDR: Stopping Threats Before They Escalate
As the agriculture, construction, and manufacturing industries become increasingly reliant on IoT devices, cyber threats are evolving at an alarming rate. Farmers now rely on tractors equipped with advanced technology to collect critical data in the field. When that tractor returns to the farm and uploads its data, vulnerabilities at multiple layers—from equipment to networks and cloud systems—become entry points for attackers. Contractors and manufacturers also face similar risks, creating a complex web of potential threats.
Traditional, siloed security tools are proving inadequate to protect against these sophisticated and multi-layered attacks. Cybercriminals exploit every vulnerability, moving laterally within systems—targeting tractors, servers, contractors' devices, and even cloud-based data. These threats don’t just compromise equipment; they can disrupt operations, compromise sensitive data, and grind productivity to a halt.
This is where Extended Detection and Response (XDR) excels. XDR provides a unified approach to cybersecurity by integrating tools that protect endpoints, servers, networks, and cloud applications. Whether it’s a compromised tractor, a contractor’s infected laptop, or an email phishing attack, XDR creates a centralized hub that provides comprehensive visibility into your entire environment.
For example, if a tractor’s onboard system is breached, XDR immediately identifies the anomaly, tracks its impact across connected network systems, and isolates the threat before it can spread. By correlating data from all layers—field equipment, contractor systems, and manufacturer networks—XDR offers real-time insights and blocks malicious activity before significant damage occurs.
A true XDR solution goes beyond detection. It automatically neutralizes threats, integrates seamlessly with existing security tools, and enhances their effectiveness. This flexibility ensures that whether you’re a farmer managing internet-connected tractors, a contractor sharing sensitive files, or a manufacturer operating a supply chain, your systems remain secure against evolving threats.
At BCS, we understand the unique cybersecurity challenges faced within the manufacturing and agriculture industry. That’s why we’ve partnered with leading enterprise-grade XDR providers to deliver tailored protection. Using advanced technologies like AI and machine learning, XDR stops threats at every layer—protecting tractors in the field, uploaded data, and the systems that power your operations. XDR’s ability to automatically neutralize bad actors helps eliminate threats before they access sensitive data, emails, or encrypt systems for ransom. With XDR, you can focus on productivity while staying confident that your equipment, data, and networks are secure.
Build Your Modern Castle Defense – Inside and Out
The harsh truth of today’s cybersecurity landscape, as we have stressed throughout this article, is that breaches aren’t a matter of “if,” but “when.” What truly defines a resilient organization is how quickly and effectively it can detect, respond to, and neutralize threats before lasting damage is done. XDR delivers a powerful, all-encompassing strategy to stop attackers in their tracks—tracking their movements, isolating compromised systems, and automating the remediation process to keep your business protected.
At BCS, we understand that modern cybersecurity demands more than just strong defenses at the perimeter. That’s why we partner with the industry’s leading XDR providers to equip businesses with solutions that evolve alongside ever-changing threats. By integrating seamlessly with your existing tools, learning from past incidents, and adapting to emerging attack methods, these technologies help you stay ahead of the curve.
It’s time to rethink your approach to security and adopt a modern castle defense strategy—one that doesn’t just focus on building walls but also actively monitors and addresses threats from within. By combining robust external protections with cutting-edge internal detection and response, organizations in every industry—from manufacturers to agriculture—can secure their operations, safeguard their reputations, and ensure business continuity in an increasingly hostile world.
Build your modern castle defense—inside and out.
Craig Staffin serves as the Chief Technology Officer at BCS, a Milwaukee-based company founded in 2011. Specializing in outsourced IT services, BCS focuses on empowering businesses in the manufacturing and agriculture sectors, helping them achieve peak efficiency while ensuring robust data security.
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