In today’s digitalized society, where physical and digital systems are increasingly integrated, cybersecurity has become one of the most critical factors for industry. This is especially true for so-called cyber-physical systems, where physical processes and components are directly linked to networks and software. Strengthening the security of these systems is crucial not only to prevent data breaches but also to ensure safe working environments.
“For SSG, our industrial customers are naturally very important to us, and we need to be a supplier that our customers can trust. With the increased scrutiny and demands on our customers regarding cybersecurity, it is important that SSG is a supplier that not only understands the customers’ challenges but also delivers safe and secure solutions,” says Marcus Holmberg, Chief Information Security Officer at SSG.
Marcus Holmberg, Chief Information Security Officer at SSG.
The industry relies heavily on digital technologies to streamline and automate its processes. However, this also leaves systems vulnerable to cyberattacks, where attackers can exploit both human and technical factors. A successful attack can lead to downtime, financial losses, and damage to both people and infrastructure.
To protect these systems, it is important that the industry takes a proactive approach to security measures. This includes identifying and eliminating vulnerabilities in both software and hardware, implementing robust security protocols, and monitoring systems for signs of intrusion. Another important aspect is ensuring that staff have the necessary knowledge to understand and manage cyber threats. Regular training and incident response exercises can be crucial to responding quickly to an attack.
"The solution is to include security as early as possible in the development process. It used to be that you would finish developing a product only to discover that there were security flaws in the code or its components. This is no longer a viable option. Development teams must take responsibility for security themselves. Have the right skills, procedures, and tools to avoid building known flaws into the code and create better control over the content. This is an important part of the security culture we work with at SSG and constantly try to improve,” says Marcus.
In a world where digitalization is one of the pillars of success and efficiency, the importance of cybersecurity cannot be underestimated. It is an ever-changing field that requires continuous work to stay up-to-date and relevant. However, working proactively with cybersecurity can also create new business opportunities and strengthen a company’s competitiveness.
The new EU directive aims to achieve a high common level of cybersecurity across the EU. It replaces the previous NIS Directive of 2018 and will cover significantly more sectors than the previous directive. It sets clearer requirements for risk analysis, security measures, and management involvement in cybersecurity work. This directive is expected to be implemented in Sweden through a new law, which will enter into force in the summer of 2025 at the earliest.