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Cybersecurity maturity is a measure of how effectively and thoroughly an organization implements security controls and best practices according to established standards such as NIST CSF, CIS, or ISO-27002. It reflects the organization's ability to prevent, detect, and respond to cyber threats. Organizations strive to achieve a higher degree of cybersecurity maturity because it enables them to withstand more sophisticated attacks.

The more mature an organization’s cybersecurity posture, the more resilient it becomes against advanced threat actors who exploit complex vulnerabilities. This is especially critical for high-value targets like financial institutions, government agencies, and critical infrastructure sectors, as they face persistent threats from state-sponsored and highly skilled attackers. However, not all cyber attacks rely on highly sophisticated attack techniques. For organizations who are only just beginning to implement cybersecurity controls, unsophisticated attacks are the low hanging fruit to protect against, but unsophisticated means are also often overlooked.  

Warnings about the potential impact of unsophisticated attacks on industrial control systems (ICS) have been out there for years. This article will review the recent warning from CISA about the use of unsophisticated attacks, and briefly discuss some of the most potent yet simple cyber attacks that could be used to checkmate an organization, resulting in a costly data breach. 

CISA's Warning About Unsophisticated Attacks

The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recently issued a warning about unsophisticated cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure, particularly water and wastewater systems (WWS). Critical Infrastructure is especially important because unauthorized access can cause extensive economic damage and risk human life.The advisory reviews basic attack techniques like brute force attacks and using default credentials to breach internet-exposed operational technology (OT) and industrial control systems (ICS). 

This warning was prompted by a series of incidents, including a recent cyberattack on the Arkansas City water treatment facility in Kansas, which forced an emergency response and rollback to manual operations. CISA advises organizations to review their basic security practices such as changing default passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA), placing human-machine interfaces (HMIs) behind firewalls, and applying the latest security updates. The agency’s warning emphasizes that even simple attack techniques can have significant disruptive impacts.

What Makes a Cyber Attack Sophisticated Or Not?

The sophistication of a cyberattack depends on the complexity of the techniques used by attackers and the vulnerabilities exploited. Less sophisticated attacks require a low degree of technical skill or even exploiting non-technical weaknesses such as leveraging social engineering tactics. Unsophisticated attacks may be conducted by low-skilled attackers (known as script kiddies) and often rely on pre-built tools such as covert hacking devices, software exploit kits, and physical break-in tools.

In contrast, more sophisticated attacks employ advanced techniques like buffer overflows, leveraging zero-day vulnerabilities, or chaining multiple exploits together to bypass security controls. These attacks are harder to detect and defend against because they often involve deep technical knowledge and meticulous testing. The difference between sophisticated and unsophisticated attacks lies in the level of skill required, the types of vulnerabilities targeted, and the overall complexity of execution.

Unsophisticated Tactics Can Checkmate An Organization

Sophisticated cyberattacks often make headlines when high-value targets are breached. However, many unsophisticated attacks can be equally effective in compromising systems and networks. These tactics can be devastating because they often exploit human behavior and basic security lapses.

Some of the most common unsophisticated, yet powerful, attack methods include:

• Social Engineering: Individuals can be manipulated into divulging sensitive information or performing actions that grant attackers access. The number of distinct forms of social engineering attacks is extensive. Some techniques include drive-by downloads,  malspam, phishing, smishing, MFA fatigue attacks, watering hole attacks, and more.

• USB Key Drops: Leaving infected USB drives in accessible areas, hoping employees will plug them into corporate devices, allowing malware to spread.

• Shoulder Surfing: Shoulder surfing refers to observing someone’s screen or keyboard to capture credentials or sensitive information.

• Device Theft: Physically stealing laptops, phones, or other devices to gain access to internal networks and data. Organizations need to plan ahead with a corporate device strategy to implement remote wipe capabilities, and use physical controls such as cable locks to secure desktop physical devices.

• Cold Boot Attacks: Booting an OS from a bootable USB thumb drive allows quick unauthenticated access to install malware directly on a device, bypassing login security measures. Protective measures include disabling or blocking physical USB ports on a device, and adding a BIOS password to prevent unauthorized individuals from booting a system.

• Using Pre-build Covert Hacking Devices: There are many pre-built hacking tools on the market for gaining physical access and executing covert attacks against a victim. These tools are generally very easy to use and can give even unskilled attackers the ability to conduct a range of attacks.

• Installing Malware via Physical Access: Physical access to a device can allow script kiddies to quickly deploy unsophisticated malware like keyloggers or screenshot grabbers to steal credentials and monitor their victim's activity.

• Exploiting Default Credentials: Using publicly known default usernames and passwords for internet-exposed operational technology (OT) and industrial control systems (ICS) is a simple attack. IT defenders need to harden all applications by removing any default accounts and changing all default passwords.

• Brute Force Attacks: Brute force attacks repeatedly try various password combinations to gain access to a system. When stolen data is published on the Internet, attackers may also conduct password cracking attacks using pre-built wordlists. If you are not using complex passwords, it is much easier for attackers to crack them. 

Summary

CISA's recent warning underscores the significant threat unsophisticated cyberattack techniques pose to critical infrastructure. Simple methods like using default credentials, phishing, or USB key drops can disrupt operations, as seen in the Arkansas City water facility attack. While these tactics may lack technical complexity, they exploit common security lapses, making them effective even against robust systems.

Organizations must address these vulnerabilities by improving basic cybersecurity hygiene, such as changing default passwords, implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA), and securing public-facing systems. Neglecting these precautions can leave critical infrastructure exposed to even the simplest cyberattacks.