Cybersecurity has become an essential part of today’s world. Have you ever thought about operational technology (OT) security? It is one of the critical parts of keeping everything in your business running smoothly, from industrial machinery to control systems.
How can businesses ensure that OT systems are protected from cyberattacks? Although often overlooked, securing OT systems is just as important as protecting your computers and networks.
Let’s explore how to make your OT security stronger to keep your business safe.
OT Security: Know What It’s All About
Before we dive into some best practices related to OT, let’s establish what OT security is. It is hardware and software that detects or causes change through direct physical control of equipment, processes, or events, including industrial systems, sensors, machinery, and transportation networks.
The main difference is that while IT security focuses on data protection, OT security prioritizes safeguarding vital systems from cyber threats. Any downtime or OT system disruption might result in physical damage, exposure to safety risks, and even losses in terms of finances.
Identify and Assess Risks
Begin by understanding the risks. No one can make a good defense unless they know the nature of what they are battling against. Start with an all-encompassing assessment of the risk for your OT systems.
Identify vulnerabilities or areas of threat like old software, weak passwords, or a physical entry point. Then identify the risks that will be if the attack happens. Does it impact production, cause damage, or jeopardize employee safety? Prioritize addressing the highest-risk issues once identified.
Network Segmentation and Isolation
Network segmentation is another OT security approach. Separation of the ot security network from the IT network inherently lowers the risk of a cyberattack spreading across both environments. This makes it more difficult for hackers to breach your OT systems. Firewalls, gateways, and ACLs help initiate boundaries between networks.
This isolation also limits the damage that can be done when one network has been compromised. For example, if your IT systems are attacked, then the damage is contained, and your OT network remains safe. Therefore, when OT security is enhanced, segmentation of your networks should be a priority.
Use Strong Authentication Methods
Another good practice is to ensure that your OT systems have strong authentication methods. It is easy for cybercriminals to gain access to your systems using weak or default passwords. Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) as often as is practicable.
Here, two or more identifiers can be used that allow a person access to an account—it can include a password and a fingerprint or can include a PIN with a code in the mobile phone. The possibilities of unauthorized accesses and the weakening of security get minimized through proper authentications.
Regularly Update and Patch Systems
Cybercriminals often target outdated systems because of their vulnerabilities. One of the best ways to protect your OT systems is by keeping them updated. Check for updates and patches on your hardware and software regularly and apply them as soon as they are released.
This helps fix security flaws and reduces the chances of an attack. However, many OT systems run legacy software, making it difficult to apply patches. In such scenarios, it would be wise to have a strategy to upgrade or replace old systems periodically to maintain security.
Monitor and Audit OT Systems
You should continuously monitor your OT systems to detect threats in advance. Through monitoring activities on your systems, you can detect unusual behavior or unauthorized access. Ensure your OT systems send alerts to help you notice such anomalies, such as increased traffic on the networks or strange patterns of device behaviors.
Perform auditing and vulnerability analysis on your systems to ensure the identification of any vulnerabilities existing in your OT systems. Conducting audits shows you the possibilities of security exposure; it keeps the industry standards relevant at all times.
Training Employees and Building Awareness
Humans are always the weakest link in cybersecurity. Even the most secure systems can be compromised if employees aren’t properly trained. It’s time to educate your workforce about best practices for OT security. Educate them on how to identify phishing emails, use strong passwords, and the need to follow security protocols.
Continuous training and awareness programs will enable employees to recognize potential threats and avoid committing security errors. A security-aware workforce is what keeps your OT security posture robust.
Incident Response Plans
You can do everything right, but your OT systems might still be attacked. That is why an incident response plan is so important. This plan should detail the steps to take in case of a breach. It should include information on who to contact, how to contain the attack, and how to recover any compromised data.
An incident response plan will ensure that your business can quickly recover from an attack, minimizing downtime and damage. Test your incident response plan regularly so that everyone knows what they need to do if something goes wrong.
Ensure Vendor and Third-Party Security
OT systems often rely on third-party vendors and contractors for support, maintenance, and for the software that the systems run. This is not uncommon, but it creates a risk in terms of security. Ensure that vendors follow strong security protocols before they access your systems.
Develop strict controls for third-party access and background checks to ensure that vendors are up to your security standards. Consider entering contracts that make the vendors liable in case of any security breach due to their activities. Tightening up third-party security reduces the probability of an external vulnerability affecting your OT systems.
Backup and Protect Data
During a cyberattack, it is vital to have a backup of critical data. Backup systems should be secure and stored in a separate location, ideally offline or in the cloud. This will protect your data from being corrupted or lost in the event of a ransomware attack or another form of disruption.
Make sure that your backups are updated regularly and test them to ensure they are working. Protecting your data with strong encryption and backup systems means you won’t lose important information when anything goes wrong.
Conclusion
OT security is crucial to protect your systems and ensure the safety and continuance of operations. All the best practices which include risk assessment, network segmentation, strong authentication, updates, and employee training, may help to significantly lower the cyber risks through an incident response plan.
With a proactive approach to OT security, you protect systems while bringing peace of mind to ensure secure operations. Long-term commitment is required but the effort is well worth keeping your OT systems safe and resilient.
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FAQs
- What is OT security?
OT security refers to the protection of operational technology systems—hardware and software that manage physical processes. It includes safeguarding industrial machinery, control systems, and other critical infrastructure from cyber threats.
- How does network segmentation help in OT security?
Network segmentation involves dividing your network into smaller, isolated sections, which limits the spread of cyberattacks. By separating OT and IT networks, you reduce the risk of a breach affecting both.
- Why is employee training important for OT security?
Employees play a critical role in maintaining OT security. Training helps them recognize security threats, avoid risky behaviors, and follow protocols that protect the system from cyberattacks.
