Look closely at what UPS manufacturers promise in their cybersecurity claims
Oct 21, 2019
With IT evolving at lightning speed, organizations must adapt quickly or risk getting left behind. That's why it is more imperative than ever to choose business partners who not only respond to industry changes, but take a proactive approach. Case in point: Eaton's preemptive focus on cybersecurity.
Reducing cybersecurity risk is critical. Eaton can help.
The threats of cyberattacks has become greater
Across today's IT landscape, few issues have drawn greater concern than cybersecurity. In fact, the threat of online breaches not only represents one of the biggest challenges facing IT organizations, but is the primary reason why many IoT projects are being delayed or aborted. As networks continue to migrate off site and move away from the core data center, the threat of cyberattacks has become more ominous than ever. With server-gateway connections expanding daily, the number of devices connected to networks are constantly multiplying – simultaneously creating more potential targets.
The danger is so significant that individual state governments are now jumping into the game, taking legislative action to demand a higher level of cybersecurity. For instance, California recently passed a bill making IoT device companies more responsible for ensuring the privacy and security of the state's residents. California law SB-327, which takes effect Jan 1, 2020, will require manufacturers of connected devices to equip them with a “reasonable security feature or features” that protect devices and their information from “unauthorized access, destruction, use, modification or disclosure.”
Cybersecure UPS systems
Ahead of this legislature, Eaton was prepared. More than a year ago, we unveiled the Gigabit Network Card, the first UPS network card to be UL 2900-2-2 cybersecurity certified. Even more, our ongoing focus on cybersecurity has ensured that all of our products already comply with California's requirements – from uninterruptible power systems (UPSs) to Intelligent Power Manager (IPM) software to power distribution units (PDUs).
While some other UPS manufacturers have recently announced their own next-generation cybersecure cards, their products only address the specifications of the California legislation. However, this new law – and others likely to come – encompasses just a small fraction of what is outlined in the official UL 2900-2-2 certification for cybersecurity. While all UPS vendors should comply with these UL provisions, Eaton remains the sole manufacturer to do so.
If you're wondering how critical a cybersecure UPS really is, consider this: by targeting an overlooked vulnerability in a major retailer's HVAC unit, hackers were able to access POS devices and steal 70 million client accounts.
Security-first is really “customer first”
While meeting the requirements of the new California law is a step in the right direction, much more must be done in the fight against cybercrime – and you can count on Eaton to remain at the forefront of this effort. Our “security-first” approach significantly influences our product development, which is evident in our collaboration with industry-leading UL labs to ensure new products meet customers' current and future demands, not to mention offering the only UL-certified UPS card.
Because that's what a proactive partner does.