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Operational Technology security (or OT security) encompasses the practices, technologies, and strategies used to protect the industrial control systems (ICS) and OT that manage physical processes in critical sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, and energy.
The number of cyberattacks targeting industrial settings is on the rise, highlighting the growing importance of OT security. These attacks can lead to severe disruptions, financial losses, and even the risk of lives. Addressing these challenges requires a specialized approach, distinct from traditional IT security, that focuses on the unique devices, priorities, and risks specific to industrial environments.
With over 30 years of experience in Operational Technology and Industrial Control Systems (ICS), Verve understands these challenges. This guide is your roadmap to understanding the core principles of OT security.
OT, or Operational Technology, refers to the technologies that control industrial operations, including those in manufacturing, transport, and logistics. These systems monitor and manage physical processes.
OT relies on various systems. Let’s break down the key ones:
Industrial Control Systems (ICS): The umbrella term for systems that control industrial processes like manufacturing, transport, and power generation. ICS includes DCS, SCADA, and IIoT systems.
Distributed Control Systems (DCS): Used in factories and refineries where processes occur within a specific area. DCS systems directly control and manage production facilities.
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA): These systems monitor and control large-scale processes spread across vast distances, like pipelines or power grids. They gather data from various locations and allow for remote control.
Buildings and Physical Access Controls: OT includes elevators, HVAC, lighting, security cameras, and door access systems. These use specialized protocols different from the industrial systems above.
Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT): IIoT devices (like smart sensors) often connect to wireless networks instead of traditional control networks. This makes them unique and poses additional security challenges.
Medical Devices: These include both hospital equipment (MRI machines, IV pumps) and personal devices like pacemakers or insulin pumps.
OT systems rely on these four key device types:
Industry-specific OT includes a wide range of systems, each with its own unique purpose.
In industries like power generation, chemical refining, and water treatment, OT systems manage continuous processes. Here’s how they work:
Risk of Disruption: Attacks on these systems can cause physical damage or harm the product itself. Famous examples include Stuxnet, the attack on the Oldsmar water treatment plant, and the Trisis attack.
Think of industries like automotive or electronics manufacturing. Here, OT systems control specific steps in the process:
Risks of Disruption: Attacks on these systems can have serious consequences:
Industries like pipelines, power grids, and transportation rely on OT systems that control equipment spread over large areas.
Specialized devices manage valves, relays, meters, etc., all connected across a wide area network. This allows for centralized monitoring and control.
Risk of Disruption: Cyberattacks could shut down pipelines, cutting off essential fuel, or disable power grids, causing widespread blackouts.
Medical devices go beyond typical machinery – they directly impact patients. These devices include:
Security Challenges:
Traditional IT security tools and processes often aren’t a good fit for OT environments. This is because OT systems are fundamentally different in two key ways.
Learn More About the Difference Between IT and OT
Explore the complexities of IT vs OT, their unique roles, integration challenges, and strategic approaches for effective convergence.
Read the BlogWhile IT and OT security need safeguards and response plans, securing OT systems throws unique challenges into the mix. Here’s why:
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The OT threat landscape systems is rapidly changing, driven by several key factors:
Traditionally, OT systems operated in isolation from corporate IT networks. They used specialized protocols, proprietary devices, and weren’t reliant on external applications. However, this isolation is fading. Modern industrial systems often rely on common IT hardware and software, like Windows operating systems and virtual environments. This increased connectivity expands further with the rise of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) – where data needs to flow freely between OT systems and cloud applications for analysis.
For a long time, OT systems benefited from a kind of “security by obscurity.” Hackers typically targeted widely used IT systems, leaving the more obscure OT systems relatively untouched. But with the increased use of commercial IT components in OT and the practice of building OT systems with common IT elements, this obscurity has vanished. The number of published OT vulnerabilities has nearly doubled in the past two years, and that’s likely just a fraction of the total risk.
Motivations for cybercrime are evolving, and attackers are increasingly targeting industrial organizations. In the past, criminals focused on stealing valuable data like credit cards or medical records. Now, they’re discovering the potential for profit by disrupting industrial operations. Ransomware attacks on critical infrastructure are becoming more common, with companies paying millions to avoid costly shutdowns. Nation-states are also showing increased interest in targeting industrial control systems, as highlighted in recent U.S. government reports.
In this panel discussion, OT security experts dive into various topics related to the rise of ransomware in ICS, including how critical infrastructure is vulnerable to these attacks, how ransomware attacks have evolved, and what recommendations there are to mitigate these attacks.
Protecting your OT systems requires understanding the different ways they can be attacked:
Unlike IT breaches, which primarily impact data, OT security breaches have the potential to cause physical harm, disruptions to critical services, and environmental damage.
Here’s how:
Several organizations provide valuable resources to stay informed about the evolving OT security threat landscape. Here are a few key ones:
SANS ICS: Offers threat reports, blogs, podcasts, conferences, and training focused on OT security.
IBM’s X-Force: Publishes annual Threat Indexes that include insights into OT security threats.
OT security assessments are vital for safeguarding critical infrastructure and industrial processes. A well-conducted assessment helps you understand your security posture, identify potential vulnerabilities, and prioritize remediation efforts. Here’s a breakdown of the key phases:
Read the White Paper: Technology-Enabled Vulnerability Assessment
Discover how technology-enabled assessments prioritize security gaps and remediation, saving time and costs for industrial organizations.
Navigating the world of OT cybersecurity can be overwhelming due to the sheer number of different frameworks. Luckily, these frameworks offer guidance on building a strong security program. They cover both general OT security and industry-specific best practices. Some are mandatory regulations, while others are voluntary standards. Key frameworks include:
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) provides a flexible, customizable framework for cybersecurity. This includes guidance specifically for industrial control systems (ICS) and the growing world of IoT devices.
What the Framework Covers:
Why It’s Popular for OT:
According to SANS, NIST CSF is the most widely used OT security framework. Organizations like it because it offers clear guidance without being overly restrictive or difficult to implement.
CIS, a non-profit focused on cybersecurity, offers a framework of security controls developed in partnership with major organizations like DHS/CISA and SANS.
What Makes It Different
Why Consider CIS Controls:
NIST 800-53 is a massive document (almost 700 pages) offering detailed security controls for industrial control systems (ICS), an important part of OT. Here’s what you need to know:
Developed by the International Organization for Standards (ISO), the ISO 27000 series provides best practices for managing information security. While not designed specifically for OT, these standards can help improve the overall security of your industrial systems.
Key Points:
Why It Matters for OT:
IEC 62443/ISA 99 is a security standard specifically designed for OT environments. Jointly developed by the International Organization for Standards (IEC) and the International Society of Automation (ISA), it offers a framework that helps protect industrial systems against cyberattacks
What It Offers:
In this webinar, we will walk through an introduction to the overall standards and try to help make sense out of some of the alphabet soup of different terminology in a practical manner. We will also share practical experiences on addressing these standards and making meaningful progress in your overall ICS security maturity efforts.
OT cybersecurity requires a unique approach compared to traditional IT. This is due to factors like specialized devices, legacy systems, and a focus on safety and uptime over data confidentiality. Let’s break down the key components of a robust OT security program using the NIST Cybersecurity Framework as our guide:
Think of security in multiple layers to make it harder for attackers to succeed:
Detections are useless without proper response. Have a plan for:
OT security is an ongoing journey. To make real progress, you need a methodical approach to improve your cybersecurity over time. Here’s how:
In this webinar, we review the key elements of a security program. We’ll also talk about building a complete technology stack and tackling the challenges of implementing this across environments with equipment from multiple manufacturers.
In his article, “How to be an OT Visionary,” Dale Peterson suggests that what happens in IT typically sets the stage for developments in OT about five years later.
His observation is right on target. Antivirus was one example, and IT-style systems management is the next wave. But this shift isn’t just about new tools; it’s a fundamental change in how OT operates by embracing a proactive security culture across the entire OT lifecycle.
This transformation hinges on adopting new tools and practices:
OT Endpoint Systems Management (OTSM): The cornerstone – automating tasks like vulnerability management, patching, and configuration management, freeing up OT teams for strategic security initiatives.
Threat Intelligence: Proactively gather information about emerging threats and vulnerabilities specific to OT systems.
Security by Design: Integrate security considerations from the very beginning of the OT device lifecycle, from design to deployment.
Continuous Monitoring: Gain real-time visibility into OT network activity to detect and respond to threats quickly.
Incident Response Planning: Develop a clear plan for how to react to and recover from a security breach, minimizing downtime and damage.
The future of OT security isn’t about clinging to the past. It’s a call to action, a recognition that security and operational excellence are now inseparable. The old ways of relying on isolation, obscurity, and reactive responses are crumbling in the face of connectivity, relentless attackers, and the rising tide of regulation.
The OT organizations that will thrive are those who see this not as a burden, but as a catalyst. By adopting proactive security, embracing automation, and integrating security into the core of OT operations, they will achieve:
Unmatched Resilience: OT systems become harder to breach, and recover faster when the inevitable does occur. This isn’t just about technology, but about building a culture of security awareness.
Operational Efficiency Elevated: The time that teams once spent on manual security tasks is freed up for innovation and value-added work. Automation streamlines workflows and reduces human error.
Compliance as a Byproduct: When security is baked into processes, reporting becomes a natural output, reducing stress and the risk of costly fines.
A Competitive Edge: In a world where cyberattacks can cripple industries, customers and investors will gravitate towards those with demonstrable security leadership.
This transformation will be challenging, but the rewards will be profound: protecting essential infrastructure, driving efficiency, and building a foundation of trust in the digital age.
OT Security (Operational Technology Security) is the set of practices, technologies, and strategies specifically designed to protect the industrial control systems (ICS), SCADA systems, and other specialized hardware and software that control physical processes and operations.
OT security focuses on ensuring the safety, availability, and reliability of these systems, as disruptions can lead to physical damage, production loss, or even endanger lives.
It differs from IT security by prioritizing operational continuity and safety, and necessitates specialized knowledge of industrial systems and protocols.
IT security (Information Technology security) and OT security are both crucial for modern organizations, but they have distinct focuses and priorities.
Focus: Protects the confidentiality and integrity of data within business networks, servers, and user devices.
Main Threats: Malware, phishing attacks, data breaches, and unauthorized access.
Skills Required: Network security, data encryption, threat detection and response.
Focus: Ensures the availability, reliability, and safety of industrial control systems (ICS), SCADA systems, and the physical processes they manage.
Main Threats: Sabotage, operational disruptions, potential safety hazards, and cyber-physical attacks that can cause real-world damage.
Skills Required: Understanding of industrial protocols, processes, safety standards, and the potential consequences of cyberattacks.
OT security is more critical than ever due to:
Increased Connectivity: Industrial systems are increasingly connected to IT networks and the internet, expanding the attack surface.
Evolving Threats: Cyberattacks targeting OT are becoming more sophisticated and can have devastating real-world impacts.
Legacy Systems: Many OT environments rely on older technology with limited built-in security, making them easy targets.
Regulations: Growing government and industry regulations are mandating stronger OT security measures.
Key OT security challenges include:
Limited Visibility: Many organizations lack a complete inventory of OT assets, making it difficult to identify and secure all potential vulnerabilities.
IT/OT Gap: Differences in culture and priorities between IT and OT teams can hinder collaboration and effective security.
Patching Difficulties: Outdated OT systems may not support regular security patches, leaving them vulnerable.
Skill Shortage: Specialized skills for understanding and managing OT security risks are in high demand.
Essential best practices include:
Asset Identification: Develop a comprehensive inventory of all OT hardware and software.
Network Segmentation: Isolate OT networks from IT networks whenever possible to limit the impact of breaches.
Risk Assessments: Conduct regular risk assessments to identify and prioritize vulnerabilities.
Incident Response: Have a clear incident response plan for OT cyberattacks.
IT/OT Collaboration: Foster a culture of cooperation and shared responsibility for security.
Having the right tools is crucial for effective OT security. With increasing digitization, these tools play a pivotal role in safeguarding critical infrastructure. Essential OT tools and technologies include:
1. Asset Inventory: Tools that provide comprehensive visibility into all devices and systems within the OT environment.
2. Vulnerability Management and Risk Assessment: Solutions to identify weaknesses in OT systems and networks.
3. Patch Management: Tools to automate the process of deploying security patches.
4. Configuration Management: Tools to maintain control over OT system configurations.
5. OT/ICS SIEM (Security Information and Event Management): Systems for monitoring, detecting, and responding to security incidents.
6. Incident Response, Backup, and Restore Solutions: Incident coordination and data recovery tools.
You can find several OT security case studies in our resources section. They cover many of our solutions, and feature clients from several industries including chemical production, energy, power generation, and oil & gas.