The Hidden Cyber Threat in Smart Factories: Unauthorised Devices on the Line

The Overlooked Threat in Financial Cybersecurity The financial sector is a prime target for cybercriminals, with banks and financial institutions under constant pressure to safeguard sensitive data, ensure uptime, and remain compliant with stringent regulatory frameworks. In response, many organisations have heavily invested in software-based security measures—SIEM platforms, endpoint detection, firewalls, and identity access controls. Yet one of the most critical layers of security remains largely unaddressed: the physical hardware layer. Despite airtight digital defences, attackers often gain entry by exploiting a blind spot—physical devices connected to corporate networks that go undetected or unverified. From spoofed USB devices to personal laptops and unauthorised peripherals, these rogue endpoints are difficult to detect and even harder to manage using traditional security tools. And in fast-paced financial environments, where staff and contractors frequently connect new devices, this risk is both constant and largely invisible. The Risk Beneath the Surface Across trading floors, customer service centres, data centres, and remote branches, a wide variety of devices are connected and disconnected every day. These range from keyboards, mice, and scanners to external drives and diagnostic tools. The problem arises when devices are unknown, unmanaged, or maliciously altered—bypassing digital security protocols by entering through the very ports trusted by IT systems. Traditional security tools often rely on software identifiers like IP addresses or MAC addresses, which are easily spoofed. Worse, many assume that connected devices are trustworthy simply because they’re plugged in. This is a dangerous assumption in a sector where data integrity and system availability are non-negotiable. Sepio: Gaining Visibility Where It Matters Most Sepio’s Asset Risk Management (ARM) platform changes the game by offering a fundamentally different approach. Rather than relying on declared software identities, Sepio identifies and classifies connected hardware based on its physical-layer characteristics—known as Asset DNA. This allows financial institutions to detect and profile every device connected to their infrastructure, even those that appear identical on the surface. This level of visibility makes it possible to immediately distinguish between authorised devices and rogue or spoofed ones. More importantly, it enables real-time control. Unrecognised or high-risk hardware can be automatically blocked, quarantined, or flagged for investigation—before it poses a threat. Sepio’s agentless and passive architecture means there’s no interruption to business operations, no performance impact, and no need to install software on endpoints. It’s a seamless layer of security that operates beneath existing tools, complementing rather than complicating your tech stack. Strengthening Compliance and Building Resilience With constantly evolving regulations such as PCI-DSS, GDPR, and guidance from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), compliance is an ongoing concern for financial organisations. One of the key challenges lies in demonstrating asset control and access management—especially at the hardware level. Sepio helps solve this by delivering a continuously updated, auditable inventory of all connected devices. Security teams gain a reliable, centralised view of every endpoint, making it easier to enforce policy and generate accurate reports for auditors and regulators. Whether you're aligning to NIST, CIS Controls, or zero-trust frameworks, Sepio’s forensic-level visibility helps close compliance gaps and prove your security maturity. Real-World Impact in Financial Settings In a retail banking branch, Sepio can detect if a rogue USB has been inserted into a teller workstation. On a trading floor, it ensures that only authorised keyboards and headsets connect to sensitive terminals. In a contact centre, it helps prevent the use of personal devices that could compromise customer data. And in central IT environments, it provides peace of mind that no unvetted or spoofed hardware is quietly bypassing your controls. Even contractor access—often a weak point in hardware security—is made manageable, with instant detection of unauthorised tools and immediate enforcement of access policy. Why Sepio is Built for Finance In financial environments where every second counts and every risk is amplified, Sepio provides a foundation of trust at the most granular level: the physical connection. It delivers what traditional tools can’t—real-time, actionable visibility of every device that plugs in, regardless of who brought it or what it claims to be. By detecting what others miss, enforcing trust without disruption, and integrating with your existing systems, Sepio empowers financial institutions to take control of an overlooked but highly critical threat vector. Start Securing What You Can’t See The physical layer is no longer a safe assumption—it’s a risk. But with Sepio, it becomes a defensible, transparent, and tightly controlled part of your cybersecurity strategy. To learn more about how Sepio can help your organisation reduce hardware-based risk and strengthen compliance in real time, contact us today at info@zerium.co.uk or call +44 (0)20 8191 2191 to arrange a consultation or demo.

The Infrastructure That Runs Nations Is Under Threat From energy grids and water utilities to transport networks and telecommunications systems, national infrastructure forms the foundation of daily life. These systems are becoming smarter, more connected, and more efficient—but also more vulnerable. As operators digitise operations and merge IT and OT environments, they open new pathways for attack. While cybersecurity strategies in this sector have traditionally focused on network protection, access control, and physical security at the facility level, a critical blind spot remains: what devices are physically connected to your infrastructure, and can they be trusted? A Blind Spot with Real-World Consequences Infrastructure environments are often geographically distributed, operate with legacy systems, and rely on field engineers, subcontractors, and remote access to maintain uptime. This creates a challenge in monitoring and controlling the physical devices that connect to operational systems—especially when those systems are offline from central IT or have minimal oversight. Rogue USB drives, tampered diagnostic equipment, or personal devices used by technicians may appear innocuous, but they can introduce malware, bypass authentication, or provide attackers with a direct path into sensitive control systems. These threats are stealthy, hardware-based, and notoriously difficult to detect using traditional cybersecurity tools. Most endpoint protection, antivirus software, and network detection solutions rely on known signatures or network visibility to identify threats. But if a spoofed peripheral masquerades as a keyboard, or if a supply chain implant hides inside a cable, these tools may never even register its presence. Sepio Offers a New Layer of Protection—The Physical Layer Sepio’s Asset Risk Management (ARM) platform is purpose-built to close this gap. It delivers real-time visibility and control at the hardware layer, detecting every device connected to your systems based on its unique physical and electrical properties—not just declared identifiers like MAC addresses or device names. This approach allows critical infrastructure operators to accurately identify, profile, and verify every piece of hardware, even in environments where visibility has traditionally been limited or non-existent. Importantly, Sepio operates passively and without agents. This makes it well-suited to OT environments where downtime is not an option and where intrusive tools could disrupt safety or production systems. Visibility That Builds Operational Resilience For national infrastructure providers, resilience isn’t just about restoring systems after an incident—it’s about preventing incidents from occurring in the first place. With Sepio, organisations gain the ability to detect unauthorised or suspicious devices the moment they connect, preventing them from becoming persistent threats. For example, in an energy substation, Sepio can alert operators if a contractor connects unvetted diagnostic tools. In a water treatment facility, it can detect a foreign USB device introduced into a SCADA system. In a telecom exchange, it can identify tampered networking gear during maintenance or upgrades. These insights give teams the confidence that only trusted, verified hardware is present in the most sensitive parts of their operations—without relying on physical inspections or policy enforcement alone. Supporting Frameworks and National Security Mandates As infrastructure providers are increasingly required to meet national cybersecurity standards—such as the UK’s Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF), the NCSC's principles for critical systems, or international frameworks like NIST and CIS—Sepio provides measurable, actionable support. By maintaining a real-time inventory of physical devices and generating alerts on anomalies, Sepio enables easier compliance and clearer reporting. It also supports the principles of Zero Trust Architecture, allowing organisations to treat all devices as untrusted by default unless verified by physical fingerprint. Designed for Complex, High-Risk Environments Sepio is ideal for environments where hardware changes frequently, where direct oversight is limited, and where IT and OT teams must work together without stepping on each other’s processes. It integrates with existing systems such as SIEMs and access control platforms, enhancing rather than replacing existing defences. Its deployment is fast, frictionless, and non-disruptive—so visibility can be achieved without downtime or configuration headaches. And once in place, it offers assurance that what’s connected is exactly what it claims to be—and nothing more. Defending the Nation Begins at the Edge In an era where cyber-physical systems power entire countries, understanding what devices have access to your infrastructure is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Attackers are becoming more sophisticated, but so must your defences. Sepio enables national infrastructure providers to move beyond traditional cybersecurity and embrace device-level trust and control—securing the edge, hardening the core, and protecting the services we all rely on. To learn how Sepio can be deployed in your operational environment, or to request a demo of its capabilities, contact info@zerium.co.uk or call +44 (0)20 8191 2191

The Cyber Risk Hiding in Plain Sight In healthcare, cybersecurity is about more than just protecting data—it's about protecting lives. Hospitals, clinics, and care facilities are rapidly adopting digital technologies to improve treatment, efficiency, and patient outcomes. But with this transformation comes a surge in risk, as more devices, users, and systems connect to critical networks. Despite growing investments in electronic health records (EHRs), firewalls, and endpoint protection, one key vulnerability is consistently overlooked: unauthorised or unmanaged physical devices connecting directly to sensitive environments. Whether it’s a rogue USB plugged into a nurse’s station, a spoofed medical device impersonating legitimate equipment, or an unknown laptop used during maintenance, these hidden entry points pose a very real threat. And in most cases, they operate completely undetected. Why Traditional Tools Aren’t Enough Healthcare environments are dynamic. Shared workstations, portable diagnostic equipment, third-party integrations, and remote access solutions all create a complex security landscape. In such settings, conventional tools like antivirus, EDR, or NAC struggle to identify or control what’s physically connected at the hardware level. These tools typically rely on software agents or network-level data to determine trust. But what happens when an attacker connects a malicious USB that pretends to be a keyboard? Or when a third-party engineer plugs in an unauthorised hub to troubleshoot a machine? Sepio’s Unique Approach to Healthcare Device Security Sepio’s Asset Risk Management (ARM) platform is designed to tackle this very problem. By operating at the physical layer, Sepio sees every device that connects—regardless of whether it communicates over the network or runs approved software. Rather than trusting a device based on its name, IP address, or user profile, Sepio inspects the device’s Asset DNA—a unique fingerprint derived from its electrical and physical characteristics. This means it can distinguish between a genuine diagnostic tool and a spoofed or tampered one, even if they present the same identity at the software level. For healthcare providers, this translates into real-time visibility and control over what’s physically plugged into clinical systems, lab equipment, administrative terminals, and remote care endpoints. Reducing Risk Without Disrupting Care One of the most critical requirements in healthcare cybersecurity is maintaining operational continuity. Solutions must enhance security without slowing down workflows or interfering with patient care. Sepio delivers on this requirement by being completely agentless and passive. It does not require software to be installed on endpoints, nor does it interrupt existing processes. It simply monitors and enforces hardware-layer policies in the background—ensuring that every connected device is known, trusted, and approved. This capability is particularly valuable in shared environments, where multiple staff members use the same workstations or equipment, and where devices are frequently added, moved, or replaced. Supporting Privacy and Compliance Mandates Beyond technical threats, healthcare organisations also face mounting legal and regulatory pressure to demonstrate strong data protection practices. Frameworks such as GDPR, HIPAA, and the NHS Data Security and Protection (DSP) Toolkit all require strict control over access to personal data and clinical systems. Sepio plays a critical role in meeting these requirements. By maintaining a complete, tamper-proof record of all connected hardware, healthcare providers can prove that only authorised devices had access to sensitive systems and data. If a rogue or unapproved device is introduced, Sepio not only detects it but logs the event for auditing, reporting, and remediation. Real-World Healthcare Applications In hospitals, Sepio helps prevent unauthorised USBs from accessing EHR systems or shared nursing stations. In diagnostic labs, it ensures that only trusted hardware connects to analytical machines—protecting both data integrity and patient safety. In outpatient clinics and remote care settings, it guards against the use of personal devices that may introduce risk. Sepio’s ability to scale across multiple sites and departments makes it ideal for healthcare networks with distributed infrastructure and diverse endpoints. A Stronger Foundation for Clinical Cybersecurity As healthcare systems continue to digitise, the need for comprehensive device visibility has never been greater. Sepio fills a critical gap in the cybersecurity stack—one that other tools simply cannot address. It allows IT and security teams to go beyond assumptions and ensure that every device, from the reception desk to the operating theatre, is exactly what it claims to be. By doing so, Sepio helps healthcare providers reduce cyber risk, protect patient privacy, and maintain trust in their technology and systems. Take Control of the Physical Layer In an industry where uptime and trust are paramount, ignoring the hardware layer is no longer an option. Sepio empowers healthcare organisations to defend against a new class of threat—quiet, unassuming, and incredibly dangerous—before it impacts care delivery or data security. To learn more about how Sepio protects healthcare environments from device-level risk, contact info@zerium.co.uk or call +44 (0)20 8191 2191 to request a consultation or platform demonstration.

The Evolving Threat Landscape for Government Agencies Government departments and security agencies face some of the most advanced and persistent cyber threats in the world. Nation-state actors, insider threats, and sophisticated supply chain attacks all converge on one goal: to compromise systems that manage state secrets, national infrastructure, public services, and defence operations. While much effort has gone into strengthening software-based defences—through firewalls, encryption, access controls, and endpoint detection—an increasingly critical vulnerability remains: physical device access. Spoofed peripherals, compromised USB devices, unverified contractor laptops, and covert implants delivered through supply chains are all capable of bypassing even the most robust digital defences. In high-security environments, hardware trust must be proven—not assumed. A Blind Spot in High-Security Environments Government agencies often operate within segmented, tightly controlled networks. But even in air-gapped or classified environments, physical access—however minimal—is still required. Technicians maintain equipment, staff transfer data via portable media, and new hardware is frequently introduced as part of upgrades or emergency response protocols. Each of these interactions carries a risk. A keyboard that isn’t really a keyboard. A USB drive that silently executes malicious code. A supply chain device that appears clean on the surface but has been tampered with before arrival. Traditional cybersecurity tools—focused on what happens at the software or network level—cannot detect these threats. They rely on indicators that can be spoofed or manipulated, and they don’t inspect the device’s true identity at its physical core. Sepio: Enforcing Trust at the Physical Layer Sepio’s Asset Risk Management (ARM) platform provides the missing layer of defence: physical-layer visibility and control. It works by analysing the electrical characteristics of connected hardware to generate a unique identifier for each device—what Sepio calls Asset DNA. Rather than taking a device’s word for what it is, Sepio sees its true nature. This means that even if a rogue device mimics the identity of an authorised peripheral, it can still be recognised and flagged immediately. Sepio operates passively, without software agents or network traffic inspection. This is critical in environments where mission continuity, system stability, and discretion are essential. Once deployed, Sepio monitors every connection—providing real-time alerts, logging, and policy enforcement across even the most secure and isolated systems. Preventing Insider Threats and Supply Chain Compromise In the context of national security, the insider threat remains one of the most difficult risks to manage. Whether intentional or accidental, staff, contractors, and vendors often have access to physical systems. Even brief access—during hardware servicing or field support—can open the door to permanent backdoors or data exfiltration points. Sepio addresses this risk by ensuring that only pre-approved, verified devices can interface with critical systems. Any deviation from the known asset baseline triggers immediate alerts. This allows agencies to enforce true zero trust at the hardware level—no device is trusted unless it has been physically validated. In parallel, Sepio offers strong protection against supply chain attacks. Devices that have been altered in transit or swapped with malicious counterparts will appear as unknown or anomalous, allowing teams to stop them before they are integrated into secure environments. Alignment with National Cybersecurity Frameworks Government agencies in the UK and globally are increasingly held to stringent cybersecurity standards—such as the NCSC Cyber Assessment Framework, NIST SP 800-53, and CISA’s Binding Operational Directive (BOD) 23-01. These frameworks place emphasis on visibility, access control, and asset verification—areas where Sepio provides unique advantages. With comprehensive logs, audit-ready reporting, and integration with security orchestration tools, Sepio helps agencies not only meet compliance expectations, but demonstrate genuine operational resilience. Operational Efficiency Without Compromise Sepio’s architecture is designed with government use in mind. It does not introduce latency, alter system performance, or require modification of existing infrastructure. It integrates with existing SIEM, SOAR, and identity systems, adding value across the broader cybersecurity ecosystem without disrupting workflows. And because Sepio is vendor-agnostic and works across IT, OT, and IoT, it offers consistent protection across datacentres, field units, mobile command posts, and classified environments. Trust at the Port Level Is No Longer Optional In high-stakes government settings, assumptions are liabilities. Sepio replaces assumptions with facts—delivering true visibility and control over every device that connects to your systems. By adding a layer of hardware-layer trust, Sepio empowers national security and defence agencies to defend against insider threats, intercept supply chain compromise, and maintain operational readiness in the face of modern adversaries. To explore how Sepio can be implemented in your agency or secure environment, contact info@zerium.co.uk or call +44 (0)20 8191 2191 for a confidential discussion or demonstration.

Procurement in a New Threat Landscape Public sector procurement teams are tasked with a growing responsibility: not only must they source cost-effective, interoperable, and scalable technologies—but they must also ensure the security of government services against increasingly complex cyber threats. While firewalls, identity systems, and endpoint tools are standard line items in modern procurement, there is now an urgent need to address a critical but often overlooked layer of cyber risk: physical device access. Spoofed USBs, unvetted contractor equipment, and tampered supply chain devices represent genuine risks to government networks. These threats operate at the hardware level—below the detection threshold of traditional cybersecurity tools—and pose major implications for data protection, operational continuity, and regulatory compliance. Why the Hardware Layer Matters Many public sector organisations have adopted Zero Trust principles, enforced network segmentation, and tightened identity-based access controls. Yet most environments still allow any plugged-in device to interact with sensitive systems—without verifying whether it’s legitimate, trusted, or safe. This oversight exposes government departments, local authorities, healthcare systems, and national security agencies to a class of threat that can bypass even the most rigorous software-level security. And for procurement professionals, this presents a challenge: how to close that gap without adding complexity, cost, or operational disruption. Sepio: Trusted Hardware Visibility at Scale Sepio’s Asset Risk Management (ARM) platform addresses this issue head-on by providing real-time visibility and control over every connected device, based on its physical fingerprint—known as Asset DNA. This allows organisations to verify the true identity of hardware at the point of connection, even if that hardware appears trusted at the software level. Critically, Sepio works passively and agentlessly. It doesn’t interfere with legacy systems, doesn’t slow down user workflows, and requires no installation on endpoints—making it uniquely suitable for large-scale, heterogeneous government environments. Built to Support Procurement Priorities For public sector buyers, Sepio aligns with key procurement drivers: Compliance & Framework Alignment: Supports adherence to NIST CSF, CIS Controls, ISO 27001, GDPR, the NHS DSP Toolkit, and CISA BOD 23-01. Helps meet National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) guidance, including the Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF). Risk Management: Actively detects unauthorised hardware before it introduces risk—essential for supply chain protection, Zero Trust enforcement, and insider threat mitigation. Operational Fit: Works across IT, OT, IoT, and remote sites. Integrates with existing SIEM, SOAR, and access tools. Requires no downtime or infrastructure changes. Value for Money: Scalable licensing and minimal deployment overhead make Sepio a cost-effective solution with high impact, especially for shared service environments or multi-agency networks. Use Cases Across Government Sepio is already in use across government, defence, and critical infrastructure sectors worldwide. Common UK applications include: Local authorities: Protecting data centres and civic infrastructure from unauthorised access during hardware servicing or building maintenance. Healthcare trusts: Ensuring only approved devices connect to clinical systems, mobile wards, or EHR terminals—supporting DSP Toolkit compliance. Ministries and agencies: Monitoring hardware access in hybrid environments and secure data rooms, without compromising existing protocols. Shared services: Enforcing consistent device trust policies across multiple organisations or departments on a shared infrastructure model. Procurement-Friendly Implementation Sepio is available via UK-recognised procurement frameworks and can be licensed for use in standalone projects, multi-site deployments, or embedded within wider transformation programmes. It requires minimal internal resources to deploy and comes with integration support, compliance documentation, and audit-ready reporting out of the box. Additionally, Sepio’s risk-scoring and real-time alerting capabilities help procurement teams demonstrate value and risk reduction metrics to stakeholders and regulators alike—an increasingly important factor in public sector reporting and assurance. Taking the Next Step In today’s environment, procurement teams are not just purchasing IT—they are actively shaping the security posture of essential public services. Sepio offers an immediate way to reduce unseen risk, support compliance, and add lasting value to your security ecosystem—by protecting the one layer most others overlook. 📩 For technical specifications, case studies, or pricing models tailored to public sector use: Email info@zerium.co.uk or call +44 (0)20 8191 2191 to request a procurement-ready information pack or book a scoping call.

The New Reality for MSSPs Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) operate at the frontline of enterprise defence—offering threat monitoring, incident response, and managed detection across increasingly complex client environments. As security threats grow more diverse and regulations become more demanding, MSSPs are under pressure to not only protect their clients but to prove the depth and completeness of that protection. Today, many MSSPs deliver robust software-based security—through SIEM platforms, XDR, firewalls, vulnerability scanning, and threat intelligence. But a growing challenge remains outside this stack: the hardware layer. Spoofed peripherals, rogue USBs, unapproved contractor devices, and tampered hardware are entering client environments undetected. These threats sit below the network level, beyond the reach of most EDR, NAC, and anti-malware tools. For MSSPs seeking to differentiate and reduce client risk, hardware-based visibility is no longer optional—it’s a competitive advantage. The Device Blind Spot Security teams and MSSPs alike often operate with an incomplete picture of their client’s actual asset landscape. While software and network inventories may look complete, they don’t always reflect what’s truly connected. Shadow IT, unmanaged endpoints, and malicious hardware can appear legitimate at the software level—and therefore go unnoticed by traditional security tooling. The result is a growing number of breaches that originate from physical-layer access: malware-laden USB sticks left in conference rooms, tampered cables that siphon data, or hardware implants delivered via third-party contractors. These risks are especially prominent in industries with decentralised operations—healthcare, manufacturing, finance, critical infrastructure—where devices come and go frequently and centralised control is difficult. Sepio: Solving the Physical-Layer Problem for MSSPs Sepio’s Asset Risk Management (ARM) platform is the first solution designed to address these hardware-layer risks in a scalable, MSSP-friendly way. Rather than relying on declared device identities (like IP addresses or agent data), Sepio detects and verifies connected hardware using its Asset DNA—a set of unique physical and electrical characteristics. This approach allows MSSPs to offer clients something their existing stack can’t: real-time insight into what’s actually connected—down to the port level—and the ability to respond instantly to unauthorised or rogue devices. Because Sepio is completely agentless, passive, and vendor-agnostic, it integrates easily into a multi-tenant MSSP environment. It doesn’t compete with existing EDR or NAC solutions—it strengthens them. A Strategic Advantage for Service Providers For MSSPs, adding Sepio to their portfolio offers multiple benefits. First, it creates a new line of service: hardware visibility and asset risk management. This allows providers to position themselves as more than just incident responders—they become proactive partners in infrastructure assurance and compliance readiness. Second, it reduces risk exposure. By eliminating blind spots in the hardware layer, MSSPs can prevent breaches before they occur, improving client satisfaction and reducing support burden. Third, Sepio supports regulatory alignment. MSSPs serving clients in finance, healthcare, and government can use Sepio to help those clients meet asset inventory, access control, and anomaly detection requirements across frameworks like CIS, NIST, ISO 27001, and GDPR. Finally, Sepio enhances operational efficiency. Its lightweight, non-intrusive architecture reduces deployment time, minimises false positives, and supports automated reporting—perfect for MSSPs managing large client estates with lean teams. Flexible Integration for MSSP Workflows Sepio is designed with service delivery in mind. It can be offered as a standalone value-add or integrated into a broader managed detection and response (MDR) or security-as-a-service offering. Its API-based architecture allows it to feed directly into SIEM, SOAR, and ticketing systems. This means MSSPs can monitor and respond to device-level anomalies through the same dashboards they already use—ensuring minimal overhead and maximum client visibility. Whether you're offering continuous monitoring, compliance audits, or incident forensics, Sepio’s hardware-level insights can power new reports, visualisations, and threat intelligence streams—without reinventing your operating model. Delivering What Clients Now Expect: Full-Spectrum Visibility Clients today are asking deeper questions about their cyber posture. They want to know if you can protect them from insider threats, supply chain compromise, and zero-day hardware exploits. With Sepio, MSSPs can confidently say yes. It’s not just about adding another tool to your stack—it’s about offering clarity where there was previously uncertainty. Sepio closes the final visibility gap, transforming assumptions about device trust into real, measurable control. Position Your MSSP at the Forefront of Cyber Risk Management In a crowded and commoditised MSSP market, differentiation matters. Sepio enables service providers to stand out by offering something most others can’t: proactive, hardware-layer protection that’s fast to deploy, easy to scale, and impossible to spoof. 📩 To learn how Sepio can fit into your MSSP service stack, contact info@zerium.co.uk or call +44 (0)20 8191 2191 to request a demo or partner overview.