How DustShield Can Enhance Cybersecurity

As cybercrime continues rising, organizations are constantly working to ensure they and their employees are utilizing the strongest passwords, firewalls and network security. While these cybersecurity measures are all effective against cyber attacks coming from outside the organization’s walls, they don’t combat a threat that organizations might overlook inside their own walls and systems–USB ports.

Many current computers, printers and other electronics and machines feature USB ports that allow people to easily plug in a flash drive, mobile phone, tablet or another external device.

Even if the employee doesn’t intend any harm and just performing their normal job duties, USB ports provide a huge potential for cybercriminals.

Let’s take a look at the dangers of USB ports and how DustShield can help mitigate risks.

USB Device Dangers

While many people automatically associate cybercrime with remote hacking, the use of USB devices is rising.

CNN reported in January 2022 that a large Eastern European cybercrime operation attempted to hack U.S. companies via malicious USB drives.

According to a press release from Honeywell Forge, a cybersecurity organization, data from 2021 showed that 37% of cybersecurity threats are specifically designed to use removable media, e.g., USB drives. That was double from the previous year.

But, why USB devices?

USB devices are cheap and extremely portable. Plus, they are a way for cybercriminals to bypass firewalls and open up a connection.

Most employees don’t think twice about plugging USB devices into computers. What they don’t know is that USB devices like flash drives can contain malware that can detect when the drive is plugged in. It can automatically download the malicious code onto the computer drive without the employee even knowing. Once inside the system, the malware can be used to open up a connection outside, allowing cybercriminals access to sensitive and valuable systems.

And this doesn’t just apply to traditional computer systems. Just think about everything in your facility that has a USB port or can connect to a USB device. Mobile phones, tablets, printers, fax machines, laptops, kiosks and more are all susceptible to this threat.

Enclosure Solutions

While malicious content on USB devices might be able to skirt firewalls and other cybersecurity measures, DustShield can help organizations protect themselves by physically stopping employees and others from utilizing USB ports without oversight.

In the past, we have helped organizations accomplish this by designing electronics enclosures that block unfettered access to these ports. Instead, those particular enclosures typically feature a door/access hatch that DustShield can install a lock into. Then, only team members with keys will be able to access the USB ports. As long as everyone is diligent in keeping the enclosure locked and the USB ports inaccessible, this can at least mitigate the chances of a malicious software infection. It would also help the organization pinpoint when and where the breach occurred, if one does. That combined with good cybersecurity training can go a long way to reducing the chances of future issues.

 

At DustShield, we work with organizations in a variety of industries to help protect their valuable electronic equipment from a variety of hazards. If you’re interested in learning more, please contact our enclosure specialists at 417.736.3746 or sales1@amprod.us,