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Cyber ResilienceOperational Technology (OT) refers to the technology and systems used to manage and control industrial processes, such as those in manufacturing, energy, and transportation. OT is crucial for modern businesses as it handles critical infrastructure and ensures the smooth functioning of operations. OT systems are responsible for collecting and analyzing data, monitoring processes, and controlling production, making them a critical component of modern industrial systems.
In recent years, the increasing digitization of OT has led to a new level of automation and interconnectivity, allowing businesses to operate more efficiently and effectively. However, with the rise of digitization comes an increased risk of cyber threats, making it imperative for organizations to adopt a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy to protect their OT systems and infrastructure.
Let’s explore the role of cybersecurity and digital transformation in OT, and discuss the best practices for securing critical infrastructure in today’s interconnected business landscape.
Operational Technology (OT) refers to the technology and systems used to manage and control industrial processes, such as those in manufacturing, energy, and transportation. OT is crucial for modern businesses as it handles critical infrastructure and ensures the smooth functioning of operations. OT systems are responsible for collecting and analyzing data, monitoring processes, and controlling production, making them a critical component of modern industrial systems.
In recent years, the increasing digitization of OT has led to a new level of automation and interconnectivity, allowing businesses to operate more efficiently and effectively. However, with the rise of digitization comes an increased risk of cyber threats, making it imperative for organizations to adopt a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy to protect their OT systems and infrastructure.
Let’s explore the role of cybersecurity and digital transformation in OT, and discuss the best practices for securing critical infrastructure in today’s interconnected business landscape.
Digital Transformation in OT
Digital Transformation is the integration of digital technologies into all areas of a business, resulting in fundamental changes to how the business operates and delivers value to customers. In the context of OT, digital transformation refers to the integration of digital technologies into industrial processes and systems to improve their performance, efficiency, and reliability.
The convergence of OT and information technology (IT), also known as the OT/IT convergence, has led to digital transformation, driving the increasing digitization of industrial processes and the more efficient and effective operations.
Through digital transformation in OT, legacy and obsolete infrastructure can be improved and replaced with more modern and secure systems. The integration of digital technologies has also enabled new capabilities, such as remote connectivity for remote diagnostics, real-time data transfer to the cloud, and analytics of plant floor data in the cloud.
The following examples demonstrate the potential of digital transformation in OT and the benefits it can bring to modern businesses:
- Smart Manufacturing: Integrating digital technologies into the manufacturing process has led to the creation of smart factories, where machines and equipment can communicate with each other, automatically adjust their operations based on data, and reduce downtime. This has resulted in improved efficiency, reduced costs, and increased productivity.
- Remote Diagnostics: This is the ability to remotely diagnose critical assets within an OT environment such as Turbines, Vibration Monitoring, Conditioning Systems, etc. This inevitably means that OEMs will have remote access to the OT edge environment through a secure IPSEC VPN. The security architecture, landing zone, bastion servers, remote access, privilege command usage, and supervised connectivity all play a part in ensuring the security is well maintained.
- Predictive Maintenance: The integration of IoT sensors and real-time data analysis into industrial processes has enabled predictive maintenance, where machines and equipment can be monitored in real-time from the cloud big data analytics platform, and maintenance can be scheduled proactively before a breakdown occurs. This has resulted in reduced downtime, lower maintenance costs, and increased reliability. We see these sustainable energy plants such as Solar Power, Wind Farms, and Hydrogen-Based power plants.
Digital Transformation in OT
Digital Transformation is the integration of digital technologies into all areas of a business, resulting in fundamental changes to how the business operates and delivers value to customers. In the context of OT, digital transformation refers to the integration of digital technologies into industrial processes and systems to improve their performance, efficiency, and reliability.
The convergence of OT and information technology (IT), also known as the OT/IT convergence, has led to digital transformation, driving the increasing digitization of industrial processes and the more efficient and effective operations.
Through digital transformation in OT, legacy and obsolete infrastructure can be improved and replaced with more modern and secure systems. The integration of digital technologies has also enabled new capabilities, such as remote connectivity for remote diagnostics, real-time data transfer to the cloud, and analytics of plant floor data in the cloud.
The following examples demonstrate the potential of digital transformation in OT and the benefits it can bring to modern businesses:
- Smart Manufacturing: Integrating digital technologies into the manufacturing process has led to the creation of smart factories, where machines and equipment can communicate with each other, automatically adjust their operations based on data, and reduce downtime. This has resulted in improved efficiency, reduced costs, and increased productivity.
- Remote Diagnostics: This is the ability to remotely diagnose critical assets within an OT environment such as Turbines, Vibration Monitoring, Conditioning Systems, etc. This inevitably means that OEMs will have remote access to the OT edge environment through a secure IPSEC VPN. The security architecture, landing zone, bastion servers, remote access, privilege command usage, and supervised connectivity all play a part in ensuring the security is well maintained.
- Predictive Maintenance: The integration of IoT sensors and real-time data analysis into industrial processes has enabled predictive maintenance, where machines and equipment can be monitored in real-time from the cloud big data analytics platform, and maintenance can be scheduled proactively before a breakdown occurs. This has resulted in reduced downtime, lower maintenance costs, and increased reliability. We see these sustainable energy plants such as Solar Power, Wind Farms, and Hydrogen-Based power plants.
The Need for Cybersecurity in OT
The increasing digitization of OT systems has created new risks and vulnerabilities that need to be addressed. As OT systems control and manage critical infrastructure, their security must be of the highest priority. OT systems are often connected to the internet and other networks, making them vulnerable to cyberattacks, such as malware, ransomware, and unauthorized access.
Moreover, OT systems are typically designed with a focus on availability and reliability, with little consideration for security. This makes them an attractive target for cybercriminals, who can exploit these vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information and systems, or cause disruptions to critical operations.
Another major concern is the risk of supply chain attacks, where malicious actors target third-party suppliers to gain access to sensitive systems and data. This is particularly concerning in the context of OT, where a single security breach can result in widespread disruption and damage to critical infrastructure.
Cybersecurity is crucial for the protection of OT systems, and organizations must take steps to secure their critical infrastructure from cyber threats. This requires a comprehensive approach that covers people, processes, and technology. By prioritizing cybersecurity, organizations can ensure the safety and reliability of their critical operations, and protect themselves against potential security breaches and disruptions.
The Need for Cybersecurity in OT
The increasing digitization of OT systems has created new risks and vulnerabilities that need to be addressed. As OT systems control and manage critical infrastructure, their security must be of the highest priority. OT systems are often connected to the internet and other networks, making them vulnerable to cyberattacks, such as malware, ransomware, and unauthorized access.
Moreover, OT systems are typically designed with a focus on availability and reliability, with little consideration for security. This makes them an attractive target for cybercriminals, who can exploit these vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information and systems, or cause disruptions to critical operations.
Another major concern is the risk of supply chain attacks, where malicious actors target third-party suppliers to gain access to sensitive systems and data. This is particularly concerning in the context of OT, where a single security breach can result in widespread disruption and damage to critical infrastructure.
Cybersecurity is crucial for the protection of OT systems, and organizations must take steps to secure their critical infrastructure from cyber threats. This requires a comprehensive approach that covers people, processes, and technology. By prioritizing cybersecurity, organizations can ensure the safety and reliability of their critical operations, and protect themselves against potential security breaches and disruptions.
Impact of Digital Transformation on OT Security
Impact of Digital Transformation on OT Security
The increasing use of digital technologies in Operational Technology (OT) systems is changing the traditional approach to cybersecurity. In the past, OT systems were typically isolated and air-gapped from other networks to ensure their security. However, with the growing adoption of digital technologies in OT, this traditional approach is becoming increasingly untenable.
With digital transformation, OT systems are becoming more connected and integrated with other systems and networks, including the internet, cloud services, and IoT devices. This increased connectivity has enabled new capabilities and improved efficiency, but it has also created new security risks and vulnerabilities that need to be addressed. This calls for a new approach to cybersecurity that is more proactive, adaptive, and risk-based.
Digital transformation has a growing impact on OT security, and organizations must take steps to ensure the safety and reliability of their critical infrastructure in this new digital landscape. This requires a new approach to cybersecurity that prioritizes risk management, threat intelligence, and continuous monitoring, and that leverages the latest digital technologies and best practices to secure critical operations and data. By doing so, organizations can ensure the safety and reliability of their critical operations in the face of increasing cyber threats.
Best practices for Cybersecurity in OT and IIoT
- Conduct a Cyber Risk Assessment: Start by conducting a comprehensive risk assessment to identify potential threats and vulnerabilities related to Digital Transformation initiatives your OT/IIoT systems. This will help you understand the current state of your cybersecurity posture and prioritize areas for improvement. Perform Threat Modeling on the proposed new architecture that will be deployed.
- Secure Remote Access and Network Segmentation: Implement network segmentation to physically separate critical OT systems from other networks, and to reduce the attack surface of your OT systems. If OT needs to be connected to remote monitoring sites from OEMs ensure there is multi-tiered security architecture, with landing zone, bastion servers, published services where direct connectivity to plant network is prohibited. Ensure all VPN and RDP access is based on MFA and ensure device posture validation is performed in case credentials are breached. Monitor the remote access and ensure it is supervised access. Ensure critical process and safety related messages such as STOP, OVERWRITE commands are disabled.
- Encryption: If the OT/IIoT environment is to be connected to the cloud for real-time data transfer to monitor the performance and efficiency of the plant, ensure it outbound (push) rather than inbound (pull) data transfer exchange mechanism. Ensure encryption is applied on the communication and ensure that there is a data transfer point on the L3.5 DMZ. Some vendors we assessed like to use OpenVPN on Data Collector Servers and send data over TLS to the cloud head-end.
- Implement Access Controls: Implement access controls to restrict access from OEMs for remote OT systems and data access. This includes user authentication, authorization, role-based access controls, privileged access monitoring, and process command monitoring from control systems.
- Monitor and Detect: Implement continuous monitoring and detection capabilities to detect and respond to security incidents in real-time. This includes logging, auditing, incident response planning, regular security scans, and penetration testing. Integrate firewalls, jump servers, remote access servers, and authentication server (AD and MFA) into a centralized SIEM with specific use cases to monitor remote access.
- Perform TPRM on OT service providers: Ensure Third-Party Risk Management and Supply Chain Security practices are enforced before onboarding and acquiring any supplier. OEMs and vendors delivering OT digital transformation solution offerings from the cloud are often startups and may not have governance, internal controls, and security maturity. Don’t forget to ask for the last PenTest report; compliance to SOC2 reports are just some tips.
Get in touch with DTS Solution to help you secure your OT Digital Transformation.
Best practices for Cybersecurity in OT and IIoT
Improving cybersecurity in operational technology systems is a critical priority for organizations that rely on these systems to control and manage critical infrastructure. To ensure the safety and reliability of these operations, organizations must adopt best practices for OT cybersecurity. Here are some practical tips and guidelines to help organizations improve their cybersecurity posture:
- Conduct a Cyber Risk Assessment: Start by conducting a comprehensive risk assessment to identify potential threats and vulnerabilities related to Digital Transformation initiatives your OT/IIoT systems. This will help you understand the current state of your cybersecurity posture and prioritize areas for improvement. Perform Threat Modeling on the proposed new architecture that will be deployed.
- Secure Remote Access and Network Segmentation: Implement network segmentation to physically separate critical OT systems from other networks, and to reduce the attack surface of your OT systems. If OT needs to be connected to remote monitoring sites from OEMs ensure there is multi-tiered security architecture, with landing zone, bastion servers, published services where direct connectivity to plant network is prohibited. Ensure all VPN and RDP access is based on MFA and ensure device posture validation is performed in case credentials are breached. Monitor the remote access and ensure it is supervised access. Ensure critical process and safety related messages such as STOP, OVERWRITE commands are disabled.
- Encryption: If the OT/IIoT environment is to be connected to the cloud for real-time data transfer to monitor the performance and efficiency of the plant, ensure it outbound (push) rather than inbound (pull) data transfer exchange mechanism. Ensure encryption is applied on the communication and ensure that there is a data transfer point on the L3.5 DMZ. Some vendors we assessed like to use OpenVPN on Data Collector Servers and send data over TLS to the cloud head-end.
- Implement Access Controls: Implement access controls to restrict access from OEMs for remote OT systems and data access. This includes user authentication, authorization, role-based access controls, privileged access monitoring, and process command monitoring from control systems.
- Monitor and Detect: Implement continuous monitoring and detection capabilities to detect and respond to security incidents in real-time. This includes logging, auditing, incident response planning, regular security scans, and penetration testing. Integrate firewalls, jump servers, remote access servers, and authentication server (AD and MFA) into a centralized SIEM with specific use cases to monitor remote access.
- Perform TPRM on OT service providers: Ensure Third-Party Risk Management and Supply Chain Security practices are enforced before onboarding and acquiring any supplier. OEMs and vendors delivering OT digital transformation solution offerings from the cloud are often startups and may not have governance, internal controls, and security maturity. Don’t forget to ask for the last PenTest report; compliance to SOC2 reports are just some tips.
Get in touch with DTS Solution to help you secure your OT Digital Transformation.
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