GDP stats see mining recovering: Cyberattacks are a serious threat to the green shoots

SOUTH Africa’s mining sector, long a cornerstone of the national economy, has after two consecutive quarters of decline, finally turned positive again.

- MARTIN FERNANDES

With StatsSA’s release of the Q2 GDP statistics on September 9, there is renewed hope for the industry's health and its vital role in the nation’s economic stability.

This welcome recovery, however, exists in a world of complex threats ~ not least of which are those coming from the digital realm.

Q2 mining output grew by 3.7%, the fastest pace since the first quarter of 2021 (4.4%). But while headlines often focus on commodity prices and logistical constraints as risks the sector, aless visible but equally critical threat is escalating: cyberattacks that jeopardise not only operational continuity and data integrity but also worker safety and national economic stability. As the sector increasingly digitises, it becomes a high-value target for a diverse range of cybercriminals.

A uniquely exposed industry

The mining sector's vulnerability stems from a distinct overarching challenge: the convergence of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT). Traditionally, IT systems (such as ERP, Cloud and Analytics platforms) and OT systems (which control physical processes like excavators, conveyors, and ventilation) were kept separate.

Today, these systems are rapidly converging and with the introduction of IoT sensors and devices which support various underlying connectivity options and protocols, has increased the attack surface and complexity in securing mining ecosystems. As a result, traditional security approaches aren't good enough and organizations are required to adopt a holistic defence and security strategy to guard against a much larger range of attack vectors.

The risks to OT are very serious. Cyberattacks on these systems can lead to production disruption, equipment damage, and, most critically, safety hazards for employees.