OT security is growing quickly. And that’s because OT security threats are also growing. Today, weak OT security is a potential cause of financial losses, business disruption, loss of customer trust and even regulatory concerns. As industrial companies connect even more devices and undergo deeper digital transformation, protecting critical infrastructure has never been more important.
Today’s industry runs thanks to a balancing act of people, processes, and machines. Behind the scenes, hidden in factories away from the public eye, operational technology (OT) keeps processes moving. Everything from power grids and factory lines to transport systems now relies on heavily connected sensors and systems to work at their best.
But at the same time, as industries get smarter and more connected, OT systems face growing cyber threats. Attacks on critical infrastructure are increasingly common - and not just with data theft in mind. Successful attacks can demand ransoms, disrupt production, damage equipment, and, in extreme cases, even put public welfare at risk.
For this reason, OT security matters more than ever. In this guide, you’ll learn about the fundamentals of operational technology security, including practical strategies to keep your business safe against threats.
What is operational technology security?
Operational technology (OT) security is all about protecting the systems that keep industries running. The phrase ‘operational technology’ itself refers to the huge amount of hardware and software we use today to control physical processes and machinery in industrial settings.
Depending on the type of industry, this may include:
Industrial control systems (ICS) monitoring and controlling industrial processes
Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) for remote monitoring and control on a larger level
Distributed control systems (DCS) in settings like energy plants or even more complex manufacturing
Any of these systems could cover a wide spectrum of devices, from simple sensors to entire factory control systems.
Why is OT security so important?
You’ll find OT across several different industries. Many of these could be classed as critical infrastructure or parts of sensitive supply chains. In either case, downtime or disruption can hit productivity, profits… even the everyday lives of customers.
If OT security fails to protect systems, this could harm your:
Continuity of operations
Protection of essential services
Financial stability
Supply chain resilience
Regulatory compliance
That’s why we’re currently seeing companies increase OT security budgets, shifting away from a reactive process towards a firmly proactive outlook.
What is the primary difference between IT security and OT security?
First, it’s important to define exactly what we mean by OT security, and why it’s different from traditional IT defences. The two can seem similar. At first glance, IT and OT security might even seem interchangeable. After all, both involve keeping systems safe from cyber attacks.
But in reality, their priorities and environments are very different:
IT security is all about protecting data and computer systems, defending against digital threats and handling devices like laptops, smartphones, and tablets.
OT security aims to protect physical industrial processes, usually with specialist hardware and protocols, not standard operating systems.
A key difference is that most IT systems were designed with modern internet-based threats in mind. Most OT systems were not. In fact, many were probably designed decades ago with little thought for modern cyber threats.
But as OT environments are increasingly connected to IT networks and the wider internet, this difference becomes hugely significant.
What are common OT security vulnerabilities?
Despite their importance, OT environments often suffer from some key weaknesses. Many companies inherit these vulnerabilities simply based on the evolution of technology. As we’ve mentioned, many OT systems were designed years or decades ago, before the threat of being constantly connected to the internet appeared.
This brings several potential issues:
A lack of understanding, as OT security is still less familiar than IT security, leaving knowledge gaps
Poor segmentation or flat networks making it easy for attackers to move laterally once inside
Siloed teams, with IT and OT often working separately, creating security blind spots
Legacy systems using old equipment that wasn’t built for connectivity, let alone cutting-edge cyber defence
The rise of bad actors, from nation-state attacks to insider threats, with OT environments making attractive targets
While this may sound worrying, many companies are now identifying these gaps in their defences and taking the right steps to mitigate them.
How do you implement OT security strategies?
Building an effective OT security programme involves a combination of layering your defences and making good practices second nature. Below are some of the most important steps.
Get full visibility of your OT assets
First, you need to understand the kinds of devices and processes you’ll be protecting. Create a full inventory of sensors and systems, including key things like their locations, software versions, and protocols. This will give you greater visibility and help identify outdated or vulnerable systems.
Work with OT security experts
Then, you’ll need trained OT security specialists to implement your plan. You should build a team with the right mix of skills for your industry or processes. However, for many, this talent can be expensive and difficult to find. That’s why businesses often work with a trusted operational technology solutions partner for specialist support.
Segment OT networks
An unsegmented network, where all data and systems lie inside the same boundary, is a hacker’s favourite. In such a network, any entry point (such as an IIoT device) can lead to the rest of the company’s data and devices. Instead, by dividing your OT systems into zones and separating them from IT networks, you can reduce the potential attack surface should someone gain unauthorised entry.
Restrict communications between IT and OT
Remember a key premise: the more connections there are between your OT and IT, the more potential entry points. That’s why you should limit communications to only what’s absolutely necessary for business continuity. And even then, you should monitor those communications carefully.
Adopt zero-trust
One of our key pillars of security is to never assume trust. Every user, device, and request should prove their credibility before they can access any part of your industrial network. Techniques like multi-factor authentication and zero-trust network access can reduce your attack surface, making it more difficult for attackers to gain entry in the first place.
Get a full overview of your future security
Once everything is in place, you need one centralised, trusted overview. Audits, penetration testing, and continuous monitoring all keep your security posture strong, especially when you have a single overview of them all. It’s also an excellent idea to have real-time alerts to help you spot threats before they impact business.
Have an action plan - just in case
The ideal situation is that you’ll never need this final step. But it’s incredibly important that you’re prepared should an OT security incident occur. Draw up a response plan so you know who does what, when, and how if the worst happens. This will prevent the attack from spilling into other areas of your business, limit the damage, and help you get back up to speed quicker.
What is the future of OT security?
The truth is that many legacy OT environments are still playing catch-up with modern tech. But as industries embrace digital transformation, we’ll likely see more connectivity between IT and OT for the potential efficiency and innovation gains.
To maintain protection, the future of OT security will need tighter integration of IT and OT teams. We will see greater use of advanced technologies like AI and machine learning for prevention and real-time threat detection.
It’s also likely there will be stronger regulations around critical infrastructure. This may dictate how and where OT is protected - especially in sensitive industries. But no matter what the future holds, one thing is for sure: Putting the right OT security foundations in place today will make meeting future demands much easier.
How can Nasstar help?
At Nasstar, we’ve helped organisations across many sectors futureproof critical infrastructure. Our team of experts can help you build a clear inventory of your OT assets, designing and implementing layered defences without interrupting business. We’ll then help you monitor threats and avoid downtime - all while staying compliant with regulations.
Speak to a specialist today to find out how you can strengthen your OT security.
