A Comprehensive Study on Cyber Attacks in Communication Networks in Water Purification and Distribution Plants: Challenges, Vulnerabilities, and Future Prospects

In recent years, the Internet of Things (IoT) has had a big impact on both industry and academia. Its profound impact is particularly felt in the industrial sector, where the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), also known as Industry 4.0, is revolutionizing manufacturing and production through the...

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Main Authors: Muhammad Muzamil Aslam, Ali Tufail, Ki-Hyung Kim, Rosyzie Anna Awg Haji Mohd Apong, Muhammad Taqi Raza
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-09-01
Series:Sensors
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/23/18/7999
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author Muhammad Muzamil Aslam
Ali Tufail
Ki-Hyung Kim
Rosyzie Anna Awg Haji Mohd Apong
Muhammad Taqi Raza
author_facet Muhammad Muzamil Aslam
Ali Tufail
Ki-Hyung Kim
Rosyzie Anna Awg Haji Mohd Apong
Muhammad Taqi Raza
author_sort Muhammad Muzamil Aslam
collection DOAJ
description In recent years, the Internet of Things (IoT) has had a big impact on both industry and academia. Its profound impact is particularly felt in the industrial sector, where the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), also known as Industry 4.0, is revolutionizing manufacturing and production through the fusion of cutting-edge technologies and network-embedded sensing devices. The IIoT revolutionizes several industries, including crucial ones such as oil and gas, water purification and distribution, energy, and chemicals, by integrating information technology (IT) with industrial control and automation systems. Water, a vital resource for life, is a symbol of the advancement of technology, yet knowledge of potential cyberattacks and their catastrophic effects on water treatment facilities is still insufficient. Even seemingly insignificant errors can have serious consequences, such as aberrant pH values or fluctuations in the concentration of hydrochloric acid (HCI) in water, which can result in fatalities or serious diseases. The water purification and distribution industry has been the target of numerous hostile cyber security attacks, some of which have been identified, revealed, and documented in this paper. Our goal is to understand the range of security threats that are present in this industry. Through the lens of IIoT, the survey provides a technical investigation that covers attack models, actual cases of cyber intrusions in the water sector, a range of security difficulties encountered, and preventative security solutions. We also explore upcoming perspectives, illuminating the predicted advancements and orientations in this dynamic subject. For industrial practitioners and aspiring scholars alike, our work is a useful, enlightening, and current resource. We want to promote a thorough grasp of the cybersecurity landscape in the water industry by combining key insights and igniting group efforts toward a safe and dependable digital future.
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spelling doaj.art-9b7064475c6b40acae6957151b897b9c2023-11-19T12:57:15ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202023-09-012318799910.3390/s23187999A Comprehensive Study on Cyber Attacks in Communication Networks in Water Purification and Distribution Plants: Challenges, Vulnerabilities, and Future ProspectsMuhammad Muzamil Aslam0Ali Tufail1Ki-Hyung Kim2Rosyzie Anna Awg Haji Mohd Apong3Muhammad Taqi Raza4School of Digital Science, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Gadong BE1410, BruneiSchool of Digital Science, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Gadong BE1410, BruneiDepartment of Cyber Security, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Republic of KoreaSchool of Digital Science, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Gadong BE1410, BruneiDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USAIn recent years, the Internet of Things (IoT) has had a big impact on both industry and academia. Its profound impact is particularly felt in the industrial sector, where the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), also known as Industry 4.0, is revolutionizing manufacturing and production through the fusion of cutting-edge technologies and network-embedded sensing devices. The IIoT revolutionizes several industries, including crucial ones such as oil and gas, water purification and distribution, energy, and chemicals, by integrating information technology (IT) with industrial control and automation systems. Water, a vital resource for life, is a symbol of the advancement of technology, yet knowledge of potential cyberattacks and their catastrophic effects on water treatment facilities is still insufficient. Even seemingly insignificant errors can have serious consequences, such as aberrant pH values or fluctuations in the concentration of hydrochloric acid (HCI) in water, which can result in fatalities or serious diseases. The water purification and distribution industry has been the target of numerous hostile cyber security attacks, some of which have been identified, revealed, and documented in this paper. Our goal is to understand the range of security threats that are present in this industry. Through the lens of IIoT, the survey provides a technical investigation that covers attack models, actual cases of cyber intrusions in the water sector, a range of security difficulties encountered, and preventative security solutions. We also explore upcoming perspectives, illuminating the predicted advancements and orientations in this dynamic subject. For industrial practitioners and aspiring scholars alike, our work is a useful, enlightening, and current resource. We want to promote a thorough grasp of the cybersecurity landscape in the water industry by combining key insights and igniting group efforts toward a safe and dependable digital future.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/23/18/7999IIoTIndustry 4.0water industrycyber securityattackschallenges and future prospective
spellingShingle Muhammad Muzamil Aslam
Ali Tufail
Ki-Hyung Kim
Rosyzie Anna Awg Haji Mohd Apong
Muhammad Taqi Raza
A Comprehensive Study on Cyber Attacks in Communication Networks in Water Purification and Distribution Plants: Challenges, Vulnerabilities, and Future Prospects
Sensors
IIoT
Industry 4.0
water industry
cyber security
attacks
challenges and future prospective
title A Comprehensive Study on Cyber Attacks in Communication Networks in Water Purification and Distribution Plants: Challenges, Vulnerabilities, and Future Prospects
title_full A Comprehensive Study on Cyber Attacks in Communication Networks in Water Purification and Distribution Plants: Challenges, Vulnerabilities, and Future Prospects
title_fullStr A Comprehensive Study on Cyber Attacks in Communication Networks in Water Purification and Distribution Plants: Challenges, Vulnerabilities, and Future Prospects
title_full_unstemmed A Comprehensive Study on Cyber Attacks in Communication Networks in Water Purification and Distribution Plants: Challenges, Vulnerabilities, and Future Prospects
title_short A Comprehensive Study on Cyber Attacks in Communication Networks in Water Purification and Distribution Plants: Challenges, Vulnerabilities, and Future Prospects
title_sort comprehensive study on cyber attacks in communication networks in water purification and distribution plants challenges vulnerabilities and future prospects
topic IIoT
Industry 4.0
water industry
cyber security
attacks
challenges and future prospective
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/23/18/7999
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