Rethinking Cybersecurity in Critical Infrastructure

 

As the rate of cyber attacks worldwide continues to increase, the energy sector remains a prime target for attackers seeking to disrupt global economies. Recent examples, such as the Halliburton incident, highlight how criminals can exploit vulnerabilities that persist in systems, like Active Directory (AD) – underscoring the urgent need for a shift in how we approach cybersecurity for critical infrastructure. 

Halliburton attack: a wake-up call for the industry

The attack on Halliburton in August 2024 forced the company to take drastic measures, including shutting down some internal systems to prevent further unauthorized access. While the specifics of the attack remain under wraps, the potential compromise of core systems, like Active Directory (AD), could have led to significant operational disruptions. This incident is not just a concern for Halliburton but a clear signal to the entire energy sector – and other critical infrastructure industries – that they must move away from relying solely on traditional perimeter-based security measures that have repeatedly proven inadequate against sophisticated cyber threats.

The role of Active Directory and the ZeroLogon exploit

The Halliburton attack is part of a troubling trend in cyberattacks on critical infrastructure that reveal a broader industry crisis where vulnerabilities in systems like AD can lead to catastrophic outcomes. Once AD is compromised, it can grant attackers access to critical resources across the network, potentially leading to devastating consequences. By decrypting the AD database and creating their own superuser accounts, attackers can roam as they please throughout the network – a technique known as ‘living off the land’.

Using existing tools and legitimate processes for malicious activities without the need for malware or external tools, attackers can blend seamlessly into normal network traffic. Such a stealth approach means that attackers can remain undetected by traditional security measures. 

One particularly concerning exploit is ZeroLogon, a vulnerability in the Microsoft Netlogon Remote Protocol. This flaw allows attackers to manipulate authentication processes and gain control over an entire Active Directory environment. Exploits like ZeroLogon can result in attackers taking over all systems within a domain, enabling them to deploy ransomware, steal sensitive data, or even halt operations entirely.

Proactive defense: moving beyond traditional security

With high-profile examples of critical infrastructure attacks being all too frequent, it’s clear that traditional network security measures are insufficient in protecting against sophisticated cyber threats. To effectively safeguard critical infrastructure, organizations must adopt a proactive, multi-layered defense strategy that focuses on securing and segmenting key systems like Active Directory.

This includes implementing solutions like Certes Data Protection and Risk Mitigation (DPRM) that deliver a robust defense against exploits like ZeroLogon through a combination of granular security controls, including strict data segmentation, quantum-based cryptography for data in transit, strict policy enforcement, and real-time monitoring. This combination creates a robust defense that minimizes the risk of critical exploits compromising the AD environment.

As cyber threats continue to evolve, so must our approach to defending against them. By adopting proactive measures like DPRM, organizations can protect their most critical assets and contribute to the overall security of the industry.

Contact us to find out more about how Certes DPRM can strengthen your data security and protect your Active Directory against external threats.