The Ultimate Guide to Understanding OT Security

Industries such as manufacturing, energy production, power distribution, water treatment and supply, transportation, and healthcare all rely on a highly specialized collection of technologies — referred to as “operational technology,” or OT — to produce, move, heal, clean, and otherwise support the critical processes that are the pulse of their endeavors. These industrial systems are increasingly under attack, targeted by malicious actors with varying levels of skill and diversity of motives. Modern menace in OT ranges from ransomware and IP theft to vandalism and full-blown acts of cyberterrorism that can disrupt critical infrastructure, damage systems and facilities, and injure people.

This guide provides a holistic perspective on the processes, policies, and technologies that together provide protection and defense of operational technology assets and processes from cyber threats and attacks. It includes foundational elements of OT security relevant to those just learning about the space, descriptions of various standards available to system defenders, along with deeper dives into specific elements of OT security. This primer provides links to more detailed coverage topics beyond the scope of this holistic guide. We hope this provides a jumping-off point for those who need to build their OT security foundation.