In our previous article, we highlighted what sets operational technology (OT) apart from information technology (IT) and the critical need for tailoring your security approach.
Today, we venture deeper into the realm of OT cybersecurity and uncover five pivotal areas that your organisation must prioritise to safeguard your critical infrastructure effectively.
1. Risk Assessment and Management
To secure OT systems comprehensively, it all begins with a comprehensive risk assessment.
In this context, a risk assessment involves identifying potential threats, vulnerabilities, and risks unique to the OT environment.
It’s imperative to evaluate the impact of cyber incidents on safety, operational continuity, and the critical infrastructure that OT manages.
Organisations should implement risk management strategies that may encompass risk mitigation, risk transfer, and risk acceptance to effectively address identified risks.
By understanding the specific threats that could compromise OT, organisations can tailor their cybersecurity defences accordingly.
2. Access Control and Segmentation
Robust access controls are fundamental in ensuring that only authorised personnel can access and modify your OT systems.
The principle of least privilege is a guiding principle in OT security, granting users only the permissions necessary for their roles.
Employing strong authentication mechanisms, such as multi-factor authentication, adds an extra layer of protection.
Regular reviews and updates of access privileges are essential to maintaining your secure OT environment.
The segmentation of OT networks into isolated zones or environments can limit the lateral movement of cyber threats, preventing the spread of incidents within your network.
3. Security Patching and Updates
Regularly updating OT systems with the latest security patches and updates is essential for preventing vulnerabilities from being exploited.
You should stay vigilant by monitoring vendor advisories and security bulletins to identify potential vulnerabilities promptly.
Given that many OT systems may include legacy equipment that lacks support for automated updates, you should develop a customised patch management strategy.
This strategy should consider factors like system criticality, testing procedures, and potential operational downtime while ensuring the timely application of security updates.
4. Network Monitoring and Anomaly Detection
Deploying network monitoring and intrusion detection systems (IDS) is vital to the proactive detection of unusual or malicious activities within your OT network.
Real-time monitoring and analysis of network traffic, system logs, and events will help identify potential indicators of compromise (IOCs) or abnormal behaviour.
Utilising anomaly detection techniques, such as behaviour-based analytics and machine learning, enables the identification of deviations from normal patterns.
This, in turn, empowers your organisation to respond to potential cyber threats swiftly and effectively, thus minimising potential damage.
5. Incident Response and Business Continuity
Establishing a well-defined incident response plan tailored for your OT systems is a fundamental element of cybersecurity preparedness.
This plan should outline the roles, responsibilities, and communication channels for incident response team members.
Procedures for incident detection, containment, eradication, and recovery are crucial components.
Regular testing of your incident response plan through tabletop exercises and simulation drills is essential to ensure that all team members are prepared to respond effectively.
Robust backup and disaster recovery mechanisms must be in place to support your business continuity in the event of cyber incidents or disruptions to your OT systems.
These five priorities form the bedrock of cybersecurity for operational technology systems.
While these areas are critical, it’s essential to acknowledge that cybersecurity in OT is a dynamic and evolving field.
You must continually assess your security strategies, stay informed about emerging threats and vulnerabilities, and adapt your practices to ensure the ongoing protection of your OT environments.
In our next discussion, we will explore the convergence of IT and OT, highlighting the challenges and opportunities presented by this interconnected landscape.
Together, we will navigate the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity, ensuring the safety and security of critical infrastructure.
