With more and more operational technology systems becoming IoT-enabled, the attack surface for cyberattacks is getting larger. Michael Barrett, Managing Director of Nexus Industrial Memory, discusses threats and solutions. In the world of consumer electronics, the internet of things (IoT) provides authorised users with remote access to a wealth of smart appliances. Similarly, the industrial IoT (IIoT) provides authorised users…
For many applications data collected in the field must be stored onto removable memory devices. Michael Barrett, MD of Nexus Industrial Memory, provides guidance on what to look for when selecting a drive for use in harsh environments. Data logging is at the heart of condition monitoring which, in the industrial sector, for example, is at the heart of predictive…
IIoT-enabled operating technology (OT) embedded systems are exposed to risks from the moment their comms ports open. In this blog we’ll ask and answer the question ‘How might an embedded system be attacked?’ by considering the two common types of attack. Historically, embedded systems have been relatively secure. To steal data or install a rogue program, a hacker would need…
SSDs are increasingly popular as a method for storing data, but they also open up the risk of cyberattacks. Secure erasing them is ideal for optimising PC performance, but also necessary for critical applications in case of attacks or data breaches. Thanks to an innovation from Flexxon, not only this security problem, but also multiple other issues created by using…
I wanted to share a couple of thoughts on the current manufacturing and supply issues around semi-conductors. It really is a significant problem at the moment – you know it’s bad when it reaches the mainstream media; just the other day I read in The Times newspaper that a couple of UK start-ups are in danger of going out of…
Electronic systems tend not to like high vibration levels or G forces, but sometimes they just can’t be avoided; they’re just aspects of the harsh environments. It’s no surprise therefore that when removable industrial memory devices are used in motorsports – for quick data transfer in the pits for example – that industrial grade (test to MIL vibration specs) solutions…
Having promised to write another post sooner, time has flown by; who knew each week in UK lockdown could feel so fleeting?! A few weeks ago I wrote about Datakey RUGGEDrive, this time it is the turn of Datakey Serial Memory. Serial memory is where it all started for Datakey and is still the core range. Is Serial Memory for you?…
I wrote this post back in week 8 of lockdown in UK…….. I’ll admit that I’m starting to feel a little fatigued; especially now that the temperature has dropped and the four of us are cooped up in the house! I shouldn’t grumble though: in the UK we really have had the most remarkable run of good weather, which has…
We currently live in strange times. (Understatement of the century.) Most of us have been cooped up at home for a long time now, which comes with both joys and challenges. On one hand, I’m really enjoying spending more time just the four of us, as a family unit, well most of the time, anyway! On the other, it isn’t…
In one of my previous blogs in early February I warned of how easily software viruses can be – and in some cases are engineered to be – transferred via commercially available, standard form factor removable memory devices, such as USB sticks / thumb drives. Though that blog was less than two months ago a lot has happened since, and…
