2020 will forever be remembered as the year of the coronavirus pandemic. However, it may also be remembered for other grave security breaches, the worst of which include the SolarWind hack in the United States and Chinese efforts to hack and disrupt India’s electrical grid.
The December 2020 SolarWind hack was a massive cybersecurity breach that targeted corporations and major government agencies. As 2020 drew to a close, security analysts discovered the hack was much more extensive than originally feared. Additionally, criminal enterprises expanded ransomware attacks throughout 2020, targeting larger, more financially appealing organizations including hospitals and school districts. Last February, China warned India about future skirmishes between Indian and Chinese troops by supposedly hacking the nation’s electrical grid and cutting power to major cities including Mumbai.
These cyber threats are not limited to government agencies, corporations, or healthcare facilities. Any network, including critical security networks, are potential hacking and ransomware targets. Astrophysics understands the risks these dangerous players pose to security networks, we have designed our x-ray scanners to protect against potential risks
Securing X-Ray Scanners
Astrophysics x-ray scanners are designed with security in mind, and we are committed to protecting customer privacy and sensitive data. Each unit is fortified to protect against physical and digital efforts to steal imaging data or hijack control of the systems.
All x-ray images and data are saved in one of two ways: directly onto each scanner or onto a server connected to the unit(s) via the Astrophysics Management System (AMS). Customers who want to eliminate the risk of any cyber attacks can operate the AMS on a closed-loop network. This network offers complete control over data access and management, protected from potentially compromised internet connections. Upon request, the AMS can also provide an encrypted cloud-based storage center, accessible only to specific authorized servers with coordinated encryption software. This solution offers wider network connectivity while still protecting sensitive data from prying eyes.
Each system includes extensive storage for recording and protecting thousands of images, compatible with all system configurations. Wherever data is stored, its correlating backups will help lessen damage from potential ransomware attacks. With proper backups in places, it is always easier to ignore ransomware threats and restart service from the most recent backup.
Astrophysics x-ray scanners are designed to prevent unwanted physical access. Our engineers can restrict physical access to USB drives or even remove them entirely from the scanners. Access to the x-ray systems is also managed via tiered-user access. All access can be segregated to restrict certain personnel or accounts from accessing specific parts of the scanner. Lower-level access can be reduced to solely screening objects; higher-level tiers can access the system itself, data transfers, or maintenance and update needs. All access can be protected via passwords, ID card access, and/or biometric screening applications, such as fingerprint scanners.
Astrophysics scanners run on the latest Windows 10 Operating System (OS), meaning they are protected with Microsoft’s latest security and antivirus software. Finally, internal systems track user access, providing an ongoing record of both authorized and potentially unauthorized access to these critical security systems.
We understand the risks cyber attacks, hackers, and ransomware pose to effective security operations. We designed Astrophysics scanners to protect against these threats, ensuring your data stays protected. New cybersecurity hazards arise everyday, but our x-ray systems stand ready to counter those and allow you to focus on accomplishing your security mission.
Have questions about our cybersecurity and network safety features? Contact our expert sales representatives at sales@astrophysicsinc.com to learn more.