Navigating the Rising Cyber Risk in Operational Technology
Operational Technology (OT) is critical for our society, powering essential systems like power grids, manufacturing plants, water treatment facilities, and transportation. Connectivity and data flow between networks and systems are essential for efficient, competitive, and optimized operations. These capabilities enable automation, real-time monitoring, data-driven decisions, and efficiency - all of which are critical for modern industrial organizations.
The Digitalization of OT: A Double-Edged Sword
Digital transformation has brought efficiency and visibility to industrial operations. Modern OT now integrates with IT, leverage cloud technologies, and utilize advanced analytics for real-time monitoring and decision-making. But this convergence has removed the gap that once shielded OT from external threats. Legacy systems, often built without cybersecurity in mind, are now exposed to the broader attack surface created by digitalization.
While digitalization offers clear benefits, it also creates vulnerabilities that cybercriminals and nation-state actors can exploit.
Understanding Attack Paths Against OT
To build a resilient defence, including both monitoring and architecture for OT systems, it is crucial to understand how networks are compromised. There are five major ways a control system network can be breached by an external threat actor (the insider threat is excluded):
- Lateral Movement from IT
This is the most common way an industrial control system gets compromised, mainly via data export to other systems or the cloud, and remote connectivity for maintenance. An often overlooked but devastating risk is virtualization. VMware is the most used platform in OT, and its resources are often shared with IT systems. If encrypted, many crucial systems would cease to function. - Supply Chain
This can involve either software or hardware used in OT systems. Many OT networks are systems of systems, built in modular parts using different third-party suppliers who may have high-privilege access to critical elements. - Exploitation of Perimeter Equipment
Many cybercriminals have shifted towards exploiting equipment facing the internet, such as firewalls and VPN concentrators. This equipment is sometimes shared between IT and OT, so the separation is only logical. If, for example, a firewall is compromised, this could lead to direct external access to the OT network. - Remote Connectivity
Remote connectivity into the OT network offers benefits such as quicker maintenance, easier troubleshooting during process disturbances, and enabling operations in hazardous environments. - External Devices
There is still a challenge with both laptops and storage devices, mainly USB drives, which can introduce infected files into the control system network. This can bypass many security measures if not handled correctly.
Proactive Defence: Building Resilience in OT
- 24/7 Monitoring and Threat Detection
Continuous monitoring of OT networks is essential for early detection of suspicious activity. Integrating OT and IT Security Operations Centres (SOCs) provides a unified view, enabling faster and more effective responses to emerging threats and stopping them early in the kill chain. - Defensible Architectures and Segmentation
Designing OT networks with layered defences and clear segmentation limits the potential impact of a breach. This includes implementing strict access controls, network zoning, and secure remote access solutions. Use the architecture as part of monitoring to build resilient detection capabilities. - Understand Your External Exposure
Continuously monitor your attack surface: what kinds of services, remote connectivity, and potential vulnerabilities are exposed? Mitigating and monitoring these can stop a potential attack early, before it causes any damage.
The Path Forward
The intersection of digitalization and geopolitical tension has made OT cybersecurity a board-level priority. The stakes are high: a successful cyberattack on critical infrastructure can have far-reaching consequences for business continuity, public safety, and national security.
By embracing integrated monitoring, proactive risk management, and continuous improvement, organizations can build resilient OT environments capable of withstanding both current and emerging cyber threats. As the digital and geopolitical landscapes continue to evolve, so too must our approach to securing the systems that power our world.
For more information how Truesec can help you visit: www.truesec.com or https://www.truesec.com/solutions/ot-security
About Truesec
Truesec is an international cybersecurity company providing leading services in managed security, incident response, and expert consulting. With the largest Security Operations Center (SOC) in the Nordics and over 100,000 hours of incident handling, Truesec helps organizations prevent breaches and reduce impact. Since 2005, the company has protected clients worldwide, including critical infrastructure and operational technology environments and today consists of 350+ cyber experts. Learn more at Truesec.com.
