Why OT Endpoint Security Myths Are Dangerous
Industrial security has always been built on the idea of keeping systems isolated, controlling access, and minimizing risks. But in the digital era, many of the old assumptions no longer hold up. Cyber threats have evolved, yet some organizations still believe that firewalls, air gaps, and network segmentation are enough to protect operational technology (OT) systems. While these measures are important, they don’t tell the whole story. Attackers don’t always break in from the outside—they often find their way in through overlooked vulnerabilities, particularly unprotected endpoints.
Some security teams still hesitate to implement endpoint protection in OT environments, fearing disruption or unnecessary complexity. Others believe that because their organization hasn’t suffered a breach, their defenses must be working. These mindsets, while understandable, leave critical gaps that modern attackers are eager to exploit.
Let’s break down five of the most common myths surrounding OT endpoint security and explore why they need to be reconsidered.
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Myth #1: Air Gaps Make OT Endpoints Secure
The Belief: “Our OT systems are air-gapped, so we don’t need endpoint security.”
The Reality: True air gaps are rare, and even when enforced, they don’t eliminate all threats.
The assumption that isolating a system from external networks makes it untouchable has been debunked time and again. Consider the case of Stuxnet, a cyberattack that never relied on an internet connection to reach its target. Instead, it was delivered through an infected USB drive—something that many air-gapped systems still allow.
- Human error introduces risk. Whether it’s an employee plugging in an unauthorized device or a contractor using an infected laptop, the human element often undermines the strongest isolation strategies.
- Third-party access creates backdoors. Vendors frequently require remote access for maintenance and support. If their systems are compromised, that air gap no longer exists.
- Malware doesn’t need the internet to spread. Worms, infected updates, and supply chain attacks can introduce threats that remain hidden for months without proper monitoring.
Key Takeaway: Air gaps may reduce some risks but are not foolproof. Without endpoint security, organizations lack the ability to detect or respond to internal threats before damage is done.
Myth #2: OT Systems Can’t Run Endpoint Security
The Belief: “Security agents will interfere with industrial processes.”
The Reality: Today’s OT security solutions are designed to be lightweight and non-intrusive.
Years ago, security tools weren’t designed with OT systems in mind. They were bulky, resource-intensive, and prone to disrupting operations. But security has evolved alongside industrial technology.
- Agentless security solutions exist, providing wide visibility with no need to install software on critical endpoints, and agent-based tools that demand significantly less resource usage are also available.
- Low-impact security software is available. Unlike traditional IT security tools, OT-specific security solutions operate with minimal resource consumption.
- The cost of inaction is greater. A ransomware attack shutting down an assembly line for a week is far more disruptive than a well-implemented security solution.
Key Takeaway: The question isn’t whether OT endpoints can run security—it’s which security approach best fits your environment.
Learn more about Verve's unique approach to OT Endpoint Security
The only agent-agentless architecture for OT/ICS
Myth #3: Network Security Alone is Sufficient
The Belief: “Firewalls and network monitoring provide enough protection.”
The Reality: Perimeter defenses are important, but they don’t stop everything.
Some security leaders focus heavily on securing the perimeter—firewalls, VPNs, and intrusion detection systems. But modern threats don’t always come from outside the network. Once an attacker gains access, they move laterally, targeting unprotected devices.
- Compromised credentials bypass network controls. If an attacker obtains an employee’s login credentials, they can operate undetected.
- Ransomware spreads internally. The Colonial Pipeline attack in 2021 started with a single compromised endpoint, resulting in massive operational disruptions.
- Endpoint visibility matters. Without security at the device level, it’s difficult to detect unauthorized processes or system manipulations.
Key Takeaway: Firewalls help keep attackers out, but endpoint security ensures they don’t move freely if they do get in.
Myth #4: Patching is Impossible in OT, So Endpoint Security Won’t Help
The Belief: “Legacy OT systems can’t be patched, so security efforts are futile.”
The Reality: While patching may not always be feasible, other security measures still help.
It’s true that many OT environments rely on legacy systems that can’t be easily updated. But that doesn’t mean security should be ignored.
- Virtual patching minimizes risks. Security tools can block known exploits even if the system remains unpatched.
- Allowlisting prevents unauthorized programs. Ensuring only approved applications can run reduces the attack surface significantly.
- Hardening configurations add resilience. Enforcing access controls and isolating critical systems can limit an attacker’s ability to exploit vulnerabilities.
Key Takeaway: Patching is important, but not patching doesn’t mean giving up on security. There are multiple ways to protect unpatched systems.
Myth #5: OT Endpoint Security is Too Expensive
The Belief: “We can’t justify the cost of securing OT endpoints.”
The Reality: The cost of an attack is always higher than the cost of prevention.
Security budgets can be tight, and adding another layer of protection might seem excessive. But consider the financial impact of not securing your environment.
- Downtime is expensive. The NotPetya attack in 2017 cost Maersk over $300 million in lost productivity.
- Ransom payments don’t guarantee recovery. Many organizations that pay never fully regain access to their systems.
- Regulatory penalties are growing. Non-compliance with cybersecurity standards can result in fines and loss of business.
Key Takeaway: Security isn’t just a cost—it’s an investment in resilience, uptime, and business continuity.
Verve’s Agent and Agentless Approach to OT Endpoint Security
To effectively address these myths, organizations need a security approach that fits the unique demands of OT environments. Verve provides a comprehensive solution with both agent-based and agentless capabilities, ensuring full endpoint visibility and control without disrupting operations.
Verve Agent
- For OS-based devices.
- Lightweight and optimized to minimize resource usage.
- Allows for full asset management, including patching, application control, and system hardening.
- Uses certificate-based encryption for secure communication.
Verve ADI
- For embedded assets like PLCs, relays, and networking gear
- Lightweight and optimized to minimize resource usage.
- Allows for full asset management, including patching, application control, and system hardening.
- Uses certificate-based encryption for secure communication.
How Verve’s Solution Debunks These Myths:
- Air gaps don’t eliminate risk—but Verve ensures visibility and control even in isolated environments.
- OT systems can run security—Verve’s lightweight agent and ADI provide tailored protection without disruption.
- Network security alone isn’t enough—Verve extends protection down to individual endpoints.
- Patching isn’t always possible—but Verve’s endpoint hardening and virtual patching reduce exposure.
- Security costs are an investment—Verve helps prevent costly downtime, breaches, and regulatory penalties.
By integrating both agent-based and agentless security, Verve ensures that OT systems remain resilient, secure, and fully protected—without compromising performance.
Conclusion: The Future of OT Endpoint Security
OT cybersecurity has reached a turning point. The old assumptions that air gaps provide immunity, that endpoint security is too disruptive, or that firewalls alone are enough no longer hold up against today’s evolving threats. Attackers continue to adapt, and organizations that fail to evolve alongside them risk falling behind—often at great cost.
A modern OT security strategy requires comprehensive visibility, proactive risk mitigation, and adaptive protection at every level. That means not only securing the perimeter but ensuring that endpoints—where threats often take hold—are monitored, managed, and hardened against attacks.
With solutions like Verve’s agent-based and agentless approach, organizations no longer have to choose between security and operational stability. The ability to continuously assess, manage, and secure endpoints ensures that OT environments remain both protected and operationally efficient—no matter how threats evolve.
Now is the time to move beyond outdated security myths and adopt a proactive, layered approach to OT cybersecurity. Because in today’s world, the biggest risk isn’t doing too much—it’s doing nothing at all.