Operational technology security has become increasingly important in today’s digital world. Operational Technology systems control and monitor the physical processes and machinery across many industries like manufacturing, energy, transportation and more. While IT systems focus on information processing, Operational Technology manages the physical processes that run factories, pipelines and other critical infrastructure. However, Operational Technology systems were traditionally designed without strong cybersecurity in mind which has left them vulnerable to attacks that can disrupt operations and even threaten public safety. In this article, we will explore the importance of Operational Technology security and some of the challenges in securing these systems as well as best practices that can help organizations strengthen protections for their operational environments.
The Threat Landscape
Operational Technology environments face threats from a wide range of malicious actors including nation-state hackers, terrorist groups, cybercriminals and even inadvertent insider risks. Attackers have taken notice of how interconnected modern Operational Technology systems have become with traditional IT networks as well as the internet itself. This connectivity provides more opportunities for threat actors to disrupt operations or even take control of physical machinery if vulnerabilities are exploited.
Some high profile Operational Technology attacks in recent years include:
– Triton/Trisis malware targeted safety instrumentation systems at a petrochemical plant in the Middle East in 2017. If activated, it could have caused physical damage.
– NotPetya wiper malware caused over $10 billion in damages by disrupting operations at a global shipping firm and other companies in 2017.
– Several Iranian nuclear enrichment centrifuges were destroyed by the Stuxnet worm targeting Siemens STEP 7 software in 2010. This was one of the earliest known cyberattacks on physical infrastructure.
– Truck manufacturer Scania reported an attack in 2020 that impacted their production systems for several days, delaying truck deliveries.
These incidents show that Operational Technology environments across many industries have already become targets, and successful attacks can have devastating safety, economic and even geopolitical consequences if critical services are disrupted. It’s clear Operational Technology security needs to be a higher priority today.
Challenges in Securing Operational Technology
While the threats to Operational Technology are serious, strengthening protections for these systems presents some unique challenges compared to traditional IT environments:
Compatibility and Uptime Requirements: Many Operational Technology systems rely on legacy protocols and applications that weren’t designed with cybersecurity as a priority. Hardening them risks breaking compatibility or impacting uptime, which can disrupt physical processes. Operational Technology often has “safety” requirements above all else.
Resource Constraints: Operational Technology devices like PLCs and RTUs have limited processing power, memory and network bandwidth. Security solutions need to avoid consuming too many resources or else impact functionality.
Disconnect from IT Teams: Operational Technology groups traditionally operated independently from IT and may lack security expertise. Collaboration between these teams is important but challenging with different goals and ways of working.
Lack of Visibility and Segmentation: Operational Technology networks are complex with many entry points and overlapping systems. It can be difficult to identify all assets, map connections and properly segment networks to restrict unauthorized access.
Process Interdependence: Disrupting one system could have cascading impacts on other related processes depending on appropriate fail safes, which attackers may not fully understand.
Given these hurdles, Operational Technology security requires a customized approach relative to IT, and may require some changes to legacy systems, work processes and mindsets to strengthen effectively over time. Collaboration between all stakeholder groups is essential.
Improving Operational Technology Security
Despite the challenges, organizations can take meaningful steps to enhance their Operational Technology security posture through a combination of:
People: Develop Operational Technology security training and awareness programs. Designate security roles and improve collaboration between IT and Operational Technology .
Process: Assess risks, map assets and networks. Introduce security requirements into lifecycle processes like procurement and patching. Perform audits and remediation.
Technology: Implement network segmentation, secure remote access controls, update software and operating systems, deploy security monitoring tools tailored for Operational Technology environments.
Some effective practices include:
– Segmenting Operational Technology networks from IT and the internet wherever possible using firewalls, restriction lists and other controls
– Using whitelisting and signing on endpoints to prevent execution of unauthorized files and detect anomalies
– Carefully controlling and monitoring remote access to Operational Technology infrastructure
– Patching and updating legacy systems wherever feasible in a risk-based, tested manner
– Backing up control systems configurations and implementing strong authentication
– Deploying security controls designed specifically for resource-limited Operational Technology environments
– Conducting regular risk assessments and vulnerability scanning adapted for operational needs
– Establishing security response plans, testing recovery processes, and maintaining organizational awareness
As Operational Technology and IT continue converging, the need to prioritize security for operational systems will only increase. A balanced, risk-based approach is important given Operational Technology ’s critical function requirements. With improved visibility, controls, processes and collaboration across all teams, organizations can significantly enhance their security posture without disrupting important operations. Concerted efforts are important to help protect nations’ critical infrastructure from growing cyber threats in today’s digital world.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
