With the increasing use of operational technology (OT) systems, such as industrial control systems (ICS) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems within critical infrastructure, cybersecurity has become a pressing issue that relies heavily on effective operational management and the implementation of appropriate solutions. The growing number of threats specifically targeting OT environments adds to the complexity, particularly when selecting the right OT cybersecurity measures, which differ significantly from traditional IT systems in both scope and approach.
We will guide you through some of the main considerations in your selection of the right OT cybersecurity solution for protecting your organization’s sensitive assets as well as improving the minimal risks related to cyber threats.
1. Understand Your OT Environment and Needs
Starting from gaining a deep understanding of your OT environment, the right OT cybersecurity solution needs to be selected. OT environments differ significantly from IT environments, with other priorities such as maintaining operational continuity, ensuring safety, and real-time performance in most cases. Most OT systems are usually more vulnerable due to reliance on legacy technologies, proprietary protocols, and limited patching capabilities.
A few questions to ask:
- What kind of OT systems and devices do you use, such as SCADA, PLC, industrial robots, and sensors?
- What is the age and complexity of the OT infrastructure?
- Are your OT systems connected to the broader corporate IT network or isolated from it?
- What is the regulatory requirement for your industry?
By understanding these factors, you will identify the OT security solutions you need to protect your assets, ensure business continuity, and respect relevant standards. An adapted OT security solution will be tailored to respond to the specific characteristics of your OT environment. It will help you securely shield the critical systems in charge of industrial operations from both internal and external cyber threats.
2. Assess Cybersecurity Risks and Threat Landscape
Before choosing a solution, you need to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment of your OT environment. This will help identify the specific threats to your organization and help address the potential consequences of a cyberattack.
Consider the following:
- Threat vectors: Consider where you are most at risk for attacks, such as when they might be coming from the outside, from malware, phishing, or coming from an insider.
- Impact of attacks: In the event of an attack, what would happen? The potential impacts could be on production for a period, damage to equipment, safety risks, or regulatory fines.
- Risk tolerance: How much risk is acceptable to your organization? Security may vary for different OT environments because of their criticality.
Having identified your risks, you can fine-tune your cybersecurity solution with the areas that stand the greatest chance of impact.
3. Evaluate the Integration with IT Security Infrastructure
OT systems do not operate in isolation but are often integrated with IT systems to exchange data and for remote monitoring and control. Hence, ensure that the cybersecurity solution you settle on integrates easily with your IT security infrastructure.
Key considerations include the following:
- Cross-domain visibility: A proper OT cybersecurity solution must offer cross-domain visibility, where monitoring, reporting, and incident response for a unified IT and OT environment can be operational
- Network Segmentation: The solution should support network segmentation of your critical systems from less secure IT systems, thus creating reduced attack surfaces.
- Centralized Management: A centralized management platform for IT and OT security is a must to have streamlined monitoring, detection of threats, and incident handling.
Ensure that the cybersecurity solution can bridge the gap between IT and OT and prevent threats from propagating across both domains.
4. Look for Real-Time Monitoring and Threat Detection
Operations in OT domains are typically monitored 24/7 because they deal with critical operations. Real-time monitoring and threat detection is an essential capability of a robust OT cybersecurity solution to instantly detect anomalies, unauthorized access, or other forms of suspicious activities that might represent a cyberattack.
When testing potential solutions, include features such as:
- Behavioral anomaly detection: This helps in the detection of deviations from normal operations that may indicate a breach.
- Network traffic analysis: Keep track of and analyze the network traffic taking place between the OT devices, checking for suspicious patterns and unauthorized communication.
- IDS: Intrusions are being discovered in real-time. This would identify and mitigate attacks as they occur.
Using these capabilities, your cybersecurity solution will proactively identify and respond to threats before they disrupt your operations.
5. Ensure Compliance with Industry Regulations and Standards
OT cybersecurity is subject to a variety of industry regulations, especially for critical infrastructure sectors such as energy, manufacturing, transportation, and utilities. Ensure that the cybersecurity solution you choose helps your organization comply with relevant standards and frameworks, such as:
- NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF): Provides a comprehensive set of guidelines for managing cybersecurity risks in critical infrastructure.
- IEC 62443: A set of international standards for securing industrial automation and control systems.
- NERC CIP: A set of cybersecurity standards for electric utility operators to protect critical infrastructure.
- ISO/IEC 27001: A framework for establishing, implementing, and maintaining an information security management system (ISMS).
A good OT cybersecurity solution will not only safeguard your systems but also help you meet compliance requirements, avoiding potential fines and reputational damage.
6. Consider Scalability and Future-Proofing
As your organization continues to grow and integrate new technologies, OT cybersecurity may continue to become more sophisticated. Consider a solution’s scalability when making your final decision. Be sure it can adapt to changes in your business, such as increased network traffic and added devices or technologies.
Key considerations include:
- Cloud-native: Scalability is critical to the capabilities of a cloud-native OT cybersecurity solution.
- Modular architecture: Look for solutions that provide you with the capability of adding new security features or integrating additional devices as your OT network expands.
- Support for emerging technologies: Your solution should provide you with the adaptability of emerging technologies, such as the Industrial Internet of Things, 5G, or edge computing.
The choice of a scalable solution will make sure that your OT cybersecurity posture remains robust with the growth of your organization.
7. Assess Vendor Expertise and Support
Therefore, when choosing an OT cybersecurity solution, one must consider the maturity and the support level of the vendor. OT environments are very unique and sometimes require highly specialized knowledge for effective management. An experienced vendor in industrial control systems and OT network security will better understand the specific challenges and risks associated with your environment.
In addition to expertise, evaluate the vendor’s customer support services. Look for:
- 24/7 support: Given the critical nature of OT systems, round-the-clock support is often necessary.
- Incident response capabilities: Ensure the vendor offers quick, effective support in the event of a cyberattack or security incident.
- Training and resources: Vendor-provided training can help your internal teams better manage and maintain the cybersecurity solution.
8. Perform a Proof of Concept (PoC)
As a final decision-making step, you should consider conducting a proof of concept (PoC) to see how well the solution will work in your specific OT environment. The PoC will enable you to evaluate the effectiveness of the solution, its integration capabilities, and user-friendliness in light of meeting the security requirements and operational needs.
During the PoC, evaluate factors such as:
- Ease of deployment and configuration
- Compatibility with existing OT systems
- Performance and reliability in real-world conditions
- User-friendliness of the interface
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between IT and OT cybersecurity?
IT cybersecurity focuses on protecting traditional IT systems like servers, databases, and networks, which primarily handle data and applications. OT cybersecurity, on the other hand, deals with protecting the operational technology used in industrial environments, such as SCADA systems, PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), sensors, and other critical infrastructure devices. OT systems have unique security challenges because they often rely on legacy technologies, have real-time performance requirements, and are designed for operational continuity rather than frequent updates or patching.
2. Why is a risk assessment important when choosing an OT cybersecurity solution?
A risk assessment helps organizations identify and prioritize potential cyber threats based on the criticality of their OT systems and the possible consequences of an attack. This process allows you to understand where your vulnerabilities lie and helps you choose the right OT security solution to mitigate those risks. A tailored risk assessment ensures that the cybersecurity solution you select addresses the specific threats and challenges unique to your OT environment, ensuring maximum protection and minimizing operational disruption.
3. How can an OT cybersecurity solution help with compliance?
Many industries with critical OT systems are subject to strict regulatory standards, such as NIST, IEC 62443, or NERC CIP. An effective OT security solution not only helps secure your OT environment but also aids in meeting these regulatory requirements. Compliance often involves implementing specific security measures, performing risk assessments, and documenting security practices. A robust OT cybersecurity solution will have built-in features to help organizations comply with these regulations, reducing the risk of fines or legal issues due to non-compliance.
4. What should I look for in an OT security solution to ensure it can scale with my organization?
When selecting an OT security solution, it’s essential to choose one that can grow with your organization as you adopt new technologies or expand operations. Look for solutions that offer scalability features such as cloud-based capabilities, modular architecture, and the ability to integrate new devices or technologies seamlessly. As your OT network grows or becomes more complex with emerging technologies like IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) or 5G, the security solution should be flexible enough to scale without compromising protection or performance.
Conclusion
Choosing an OT cybersecurity solution: Protection against critical infrastructure risks in your organization This leads to the need to understand the nature of your environment, evaluate your risks, and consider integration, compliance, and scalability in choosing a solution that will meet your security needs both now and then.
Ultimately, the right OT cybersecurity solution will provide real-time protection to help you adhere to industry regulations, keeping your operations secure, efficient, and resilient in the face of evolving cyber threats.
