In today’s digital world, Operational Technology (OT) environments are becoming more complex and interconnected, enhancing efficiency and innovation. However, this complexity also brings significant security challenges. Without a clear understanding of your OT assets, protecting them from cyber threats and operational risks is like navigating a maze in the dark. OT asset management acts as your map, compass, and flashlight, guiding you toward a secure and resilient OT environment. It is the foundation of a strong cybersecurity strategy for any organization that relies on industrial control systems, manufacturing equipment, or critical infrastructure.

This guide will explore:

It aims to help you choose the right solution to protect your OT assets and ensure your operations continue smoothly.

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What is OT asset management?

OT asset management is the process of identifying, tracking, and managing all hardware and software components within OT environments. 

These environments include industrial control systems, manufacturing equipment, and critical infrastructure, which all rely on specialized technology to monitor and control physical processes.

OT asset management encompasses a wide range of activities, including:

  • Asset discovery and inventory: Identifying and cataloging all OT assets, both physical and virtual, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the OT environment.
  • Configuration management: Tracking and documenting the configurations of OT assets to ensure they are properly configured and maintained.
  • Vulnerability management: Identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities in OT assets to reduce the risk of cyberattacks and operational disruptions.
  • Patch management: Applying patches and updates to OT assets to address known vulnerabilities and improve security.
  • Change management: Managing changes to OT assets and configurations to minimize disruptions and ensure operational continuity.
  • Risk management: Identifying and assessing risks associated with OT assets and implementing measures to mitigate those risks.

What is an OT asset inventory?

The cornerstone of OT asset management is the OT asset inventory. This is a master list of everything in your OT environment – hardware, software, network details, and more. A robust inventory helps you: 

  • Understand your OT landscape: See what assets you have and how they’re connected. 
  • Uncover vulnerabilities: Identify assets that need patching or security updates. 
  • Secure your systems: Make informed decisions about protecting your most critical assets. 
Text about OT asset management. OT is an acronym for operational technology. OT asset management is the practice of identifying, tracking, maintaining, and securing all hardware and software assets within an OT environment.
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Asset Inventory: The Foundation to an OT Cybersecurity Program

Learn how to:
• Achieve a complete OT asset inventory
• Overcome challenges in collecting endpoint data
• Set up your future state for long-term success 
• Track and measure progress on risk exposure and reduction

What should the inventory include?

While the inventory will always include hardware, operating systems, and firmware versions, a strong cybersecurity program demands even deeper visibility. An ideal OT asset inventory should have: 

  • Hardware: List of all devices (on and off network), their makes/models, IP/serial addresses, and key specifications (memory, storage, etc.). 
  • Software: Comprehensive list of operating systems, firmware, and applications. 
  • Users/Accounts: All user accounts on each asset, including dormant, shared, local, and admin accounts. 
  • Vulnerabilities: Known vulnerabilities, their CVSS scores, attack vectors, and potential fixes. 
  • Configuration: Device settings related to ports, services, and passwords, to ensure secure configuration. 
  • Network: Network connections, potential paths, and protections in place. 
  • Documentation: Schematics, manuals, procedures. 
  • Security Status: Antivirus/protection software and update status. 
  • Backup Status: Information on current backups. 
  • Physical Context: Location (rack, cabinet, building) for quick asset identification. 

The OT inventory challenge 

Effective cybersecurity, in both IT and OT, starts with knowing what you have. IT teams have powerful tools that automatically gather detailed asset information. Unfortunately, similar tools are often missing in OT environments. This forces organizations to rely on less effective methods that can leave critical assets uncovered. 

Understanding your OT assets is the foundation for crucial security tasks like patching, secure configuration, and user access controls. Without a robust inventory, these become much more difficult, leaving systems vulnerable. 

The compounding problems of OT cybersecurity 

Security programs face concerns that have a way of snowballing. You start with a simple goal of understanding your assets. But then… 

  • Inventory leads to vulnerabilities: Once you know what you have, you need to assess the risks those assets face. 
  • Vulnerabilities lead to patching… or else: Patching is necessary, but OT environments often can’t patch immediately. Instead, you’ll need compensating controls. 
  • Compensating controls need backups: Any control is only as good as your ability to recover if it fails. So, now your asset inventory has to incorporate backup and restoration plans. 
  • The cycle continues: New vulnerabilities and upgrades to consider, each step relying on the data you gathered in the previous one. 

The point is that each step in your cybersecurity journey relies on the information you have from the steps before it. Your asset inventory is the critical first step, but it is only the first step.  

Key benefits of OT asset management

A robust OT asset inventory isn’t a simple checklist – it’s the roadmap for your entire cybersecurity journey. Here’s why: 

  • Solid foundation for long-term security: A comprehensive and continually updated inventory forms the backbone of your security strategy. It ensures tools, processes, and future planning align with your specific needs and environment. 
  • Improved accuracy and proactive threat detection: Automated discovery and monitoring provide the most accurate picture of your OT environment, making it easier to identify and respond to potential vulnerabilities before they’re exploited. This proactive approach significantly reduces security risks. 
  • Enhanced efficiency and cybersecurity maturity: Centralized asset data on a single platform streamlines workflows for key security activities – identification, protection, detection, response, and recovery. This saves time, reduces errors, and accelerates your journey towards a mature and effective cybersecurity posture. 
  • Informed decision-making: A robust inventory equips you with the data needed to make confident decisions. You can effectively prioritize security actions, manage risks thoughtfully, and optimize your investments in cybersecurity tools and resources. 

How to choose the right asset management solution 

To avoid the snowballing issues we discussed, choose a solution that delivers comprehensive data from the outset. 

Here are some key considerations when selecting the right OT asset inventory solution: 

  • Future planning: Avoid looking at just the immediate needs. Think about your future cybersecurity aspirations and choose a solution that can grow and adapt alongside your program. It’s like planning a long trip – you pack for all the potential situations you might encounter. 
  • Data depth: A basic asset list won’t cut it. Look for a solution that gathers detailed information about all your OT assets, providing a comprehensive view of your environment.  
  • Scalability: Consider your environment’s size and complexity, and choose a solution that can scale effectively as your OT footprint expands. 
  • Deployment options: Understand the best implementation option for your organization, whether that be on-premises, cloud-based, or hybrid.  

By focusing on these elements, you’ll be well-positioned to select an OT asset inventory solution that empowers your cybersecurity program for the long haul. It’s an investment that keeps on giving, providing the foundation for a robust and future-proof security posture. 

 

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