Operational technology (OT) plays a crucial role in many industries, from manufacturing and energy to transportation and healthcare. OT systems are used to control and monitor critical infrastructure, including power plants, oil rigs, transportation networks, and medical devices. As our reliance on these systems grows, so does the need to protect them from cyber threats. Cyber-attacks targeting OT environments can cause severe disruptions, including equipment failure, production downtime, and safety incidents. This blog will explore the importance of cybersecurity for your OT environment and provide actionable steps to improve its security posture. By implementing these best practices, you can safeguard your critical infrastructure from cyber threats and ensure its availability, integrity, and confidentiality.
cyber threats facing OT environments
Operational technology (OT) environments are increasingly being targeted by cybercriminals due to their critical nature and potential for high-impact disruption. Here are some of the most common types of cyber threats facing OT environments:
Malware is a type of software designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system. Malware can enter an OT environment through email attachments, infected USB drives, or vulnerabilities in outdated software.
Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts files or systems, effectively locking users out of their data until a ransom is paid. Ransomware attacks can cause significant disruptions to OT systems, leading to production downtime and lost revenue.
Phishing attacks are a type of social engineering attack that involves tricking users into giving up their login credentials or other sensitive information. Phishing attacks can be used to gain access to OT systems, compromise user accounts, or steal sensitive data.
Insider threats refer to threats posed by insiders, such as employees or contractors who have access to OT systems. Insider threats can be intentional or unintentional and can result from human error, negligence, or malicious intent.
Zero-day exploits refer to vulnerabilities in software or systems that are unknown to the vendor or security community. Zero-day exploits can be exploited by cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access to OT systems.
Practices for securing OT environments
Securing operational technology (OT) environments is critical to protecting critical infrastructure from cyber threats. Here are some best practices for securing OT environments:
Segregate the OT network from other networks and implement network segmentation to limit the spread of malware and unauthorized access.
Implement strong access controls to limit access to OT systems and ensure that only authorized personnel can make changes.
Apply security hardening measures to all OT devices to reduce their attack surface, including disabling unnecessary services, removing default accounts and passwords, and applying software updates.
Keep all OT systems up to date with the latest software patches and security updates to reduce the risk of known vulnerabilities being exploited.
Implement security monitoring and logging to detect and respond to security incidents in real time.
Conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify vulnerabilities in OT systems and prioritize remediation efforts.
Develop and test an incident response plan to quickly respond to security incidents and minimize their impact.
Train all personnel who have access to OT systems on security best practices and provide ongoing awareness training to keep them informed about the latest threats and security trends.
Fortify the underlying technology infrastructure
Fortifying the underlying technology infrastructure is a crucial step in securing operational technology (OT) environments. Here are some best practices for fortifying the underlying technology infrastructure:
Ensure that all communication between devices and systems in the OT environment is encrypted using secure protocols such as SSL/TLS.
Implement strong authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) to prevent unauthorized access to OT systems.
Implement firewalls, intrusion detection, and prevention systems (IDPS), and other network security measures to monitor and control network traffic in the OT environment.
Keep all software up to date with the latest security patches and updates to reduce the risk of known vulnerabilities being exploited.
Deploy IDPS systems that can detect and respond to malicious traffic and activity in real time.
Solution on OT Cyber Security
We Provide Security Gateways and Optical Diode provide access to real-time OT data and enable secure data transfer to OT environments—all while preventing network-borne threats.