Guide to OT Security 
Services: Why They 
Matter for Industrial Safety 

Let us imagine something together!

• A world without automated assembly lines in automotive industry, needing every car to be handcrafted, leading to much longer wait times and higher costs.
• An oil rig operation without remote monitoring, with every decision made on-site, risking safety and efficiency for workers
• Public transportation systems without real-time data, with seconds of missed information leaving commuters stranded and schedules in mess.
• Power grids without the ability to monitor energy flow instantly, resulting in frequent outages and inefficiencies.
• Where patients must travel to the hospital for every little check-up, risking their health and wasting valuable time. 

A life without traffic lights, mass-produced food, energy at the touch of a button, or easily available motor fuel and so much more

Operational Technology (OT) makes all these things happen as it permeates our lives, automatically monitoring and controlling processes and equipment that are too dangerous, too demanding or too monotonous for manual operation. In a world where cyber security for IT has traditionally been concerned with information confidentiality, integrity and availability, OT prioritizes safety, reliability and availability of industrial devices/IIoTs.  

There is so much to know about Operational technology (OT) - from controlling critical infrastructure and industrial processes to managing security protocols and how it bridges the digital and physical worlds. This is what we will be covering in this extensive article. And don’t confuse OT with IT – we will be covering how they differ too. Let’s dive in!

What is OT Really About?

Operational technology (OT) is hardware and software that detects or causes a change. It is used to manage, secure and control industrial control systems (ICS) systems, devices and processes in an OT environment. OT is commonly found in manufacturing, transportation, oil and gas, healthcare, electricity and utilities and other similar industries.

During the early emergence of OT devices in the 1960s through recent times, OT devices were generally closed systems — meaning they were off network and didn’t communicate with other on-network devices – i.e. protected by air-gapping. While Air Gapping worked for years, with industrial environments experience a collaboration of both IT and OT - new risks loom; needing operational technology security that can protect both IT and OT simultaneously.  

Modern OT environments need more comprehensive operational security. Now OT devices are controlled by either distributed control systems (DCS) or programmable logic controllers (PLCs). Here are a few examples of OT devices:

• Programmable logic controllers (PLCs)
• Remote terminal units (RTUs)
• Industrial control systems (ICS)
• Distributed control systems (DCS)
• Human machine interfaces (HMIs)
• Supervisory control and data acquisition system (SCADA)
• Internet of things (IoT) devices
• Industrial internet of things (IIoT) devices, also known as Industry 4.0 

OT security includes - continuous, passive and active monitoring, IT/OT threat detection, detailed asset inventory, configuration control and risk-based vulnerability management. Used in combination, these measures help keep OT environment safe from cyber risks without disrupting day-to-day operations. 

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Key Components: What Makes Up Operational Technology (OT) Security

Industrial control systems (ICS) make up the main components of operational technology. OT encompasses a range of components that work together to control and monitor critical operations, which are -

ICS and SCADA:

SCADA systems collect data from sensors, often at distributed sites and send it to a central computer that manages and controls the data. DCS are used to manage local controllers or devices of production systems in one location. SCADA systems offer a holistic view of industrial processes by integrating sensors, data acquisition devices, supervisory computers, and communication networks.

Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) are specialized subsets of OT focused on industrial processes. ICS can include Distributed Control Systems (DCS) that operate across multiple locations, while SCADA systems follow an architecture where a SCADA master collects data from, and controls SCADA slaves connected to field devices. The field network, which connects to physical devices like mechanical arms, forklifts, or various control systems, comprises two main categories of devices:

• Sensors that collect and transmit information back to the system, and  
• Actuators that execute physical changes in the real world based on received commands.

Distributed Control Systems (DCS):

DCS offers more comprehensive control and monitoring capabilities across continuous process industries, by utilizing dedicated controllers dispersed throughout a plant/area/establishment. DCS is essential in critical infrastructures, it leverages advanced control algorithms, data logging, and alarm management features. Let's say for instance, Petrochemical plants, rely on DCS to control chemical processes more efficiently, or oil and gas industries for remote monitoring of drilling operations, or water management systems using DCS to distribute and treat water resources properly.

Human-Machine Interface (HMI):

HMI is an interactive platform for operators to monitor and control industrial processes. It visually represents the system, displaying real-time data, control panels, and alarms. Operators can easily monitor process status, adjust control parameters, and receive notifications for efficient, quick and real time troubleshooting. HMIs also offer data analysis and reporting tools, helping the operators further optimize process performance.

Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs):

Highly flexible and customizable, PLCs are like the workhorses of industrial automation and control systems. Designed to withstand environmental conditions, including extreme temperatures and exposure to contaminants, PLCs offer exceptional reliability. They comprise a Central Processing Unit (CPU), input/output (I/O) modules, memory, and communication ports.  

Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) Devices:

The smallest components of operational technology are a diverse array of sensors, monitors, actuators, and other technologies that are deployed on or near OT equipment. These equipments are extensive and includes generators, pipelines, fans, programmable logic controllers (PLC), remote processing units (RPU), industrial robots, etc. IIOT represents the evolution and modernization of traditional OT.

OT Security: Types and Tools

Different types of OT security tools are designed to detect, prevent, and respond to cyber threats, thereby ensuring the continuity and safety of these industrial environments. Here are some:

For Network Security

OT tools enable continuous network monitoring and incident response to detect and mitigate unauthorized access attempts, malware infections, and network anomalies. Some popular network security tools in OT environments include:

• Firewalls: To help monitor and control network traffic between different zones within an OT network, Firewall enforces security policies and protect critical assets.
• Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): IDS monitors network traffic in real-time, looking for patterns that indicate a cyberattack. They generate alerts when suspicious behavior or network anomalies are detected.
• Virtual Private Networks (VPNs): VPNs create secure tunnels for remote access to OT networks. They provide encryption and authentication mechanisms, ensuring that only authorized users can establish a connection.
• Network Segmentation: It divides OT networks into smaller, isolated segments. By creating zones of control, the Network Segmentation approach limits lateral movement of threats. 

For Endpoint Security  

Securing endpoints in an OT environment is essential to protect devices that connect to a network. Some common endpoint security tools for OT systems include:

• Antivirus Software: An antivirus software can scan files and programs for known malware signatures, preventing threats that can lead to system downtime or data loss.
• Host Intrusion Prevention Systems: HIPS monitors and analyzes the activities of both applications and processes running on endpoints. It can detect and prevent unauthorized changes to the system, protecting against zero-day attacks.
• Application Whitelisting Technologies: It allows only approved applications to run on endpoints. This approach provides better control over unauthorized software installations.

For Threat Detection and Response

Critical for timely identification and mitigation of security incidents in OT systems, these tools leverage advanced analytics and machine learning algorithms to detect anomalous behavior and potential cyber threats. Some notable threat detection and response tools in the OT include:

• Security Information and Event Management (SIEM): SIEM solutions collect and analyze log data from various sources within an OT environment. They enable centralized visibility into security events and facilitate efficient incident response.
• Behavioral Analytics Platforms: These use machine learning algorithms to establish baseline behavior for OT systems and detect deviations that could indicate a security incident. They provide real-time alerts for prompt action.
• Anomaly Detection Solutions: Such tools analyze network traffic and system behavior to identify patterns that deviate from the norm. They help identify potential threats before they can cause significant damage.
• Vulnerability Management: This systematic approach helps identify, evaluate, and mitigate security weaknesses within the OT systems. It involves regular assessments and patch management to ensure known vulnerabilities are addressed promptly.  

IT vs OT: How do They Differ?

Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) serve distinct purposes in modern security systems.  

• Information Technology (IT) encompasses traditional computing infrastructure like computers, routers, and switches that process and transmit data between servers and devices. In IT environments, Windows PCs communicate with domain controllers, file servers, or web servers, primarily handling data operations
• Whereas Operational Technology (OT) refers to hardware and software that directly interacts with physical components. OT systems interact with the physical world through components like valves, pumps, sensors, and cameras, bridging the gap between digital systems and real-world operations.

Unlike IT, OT devices can be in adverse situations where the core focus is on uptime. OT also generally has a longer lifecycle. Updates, which can cause disruptions, are not frequent, and many OT devices have proprietary OS.

Simply put, IT is about data and OT is about processes.

Historically, separated from one another, IT and OT are converging faster than ever. But this interconnectivity has created new attack surfaces. Traditional security measures used for each independently do not work well for the converged environment. There is a need for new security measures and combinations to protect both as they exist together.

IT and OT Security Convergence: Why is it- Critical for Modern Cybersecurity

Securing converged OT-IT networks with a security fabric helps security experts achieve necessary visibility, control, and behavioral analytics required to ensure cyberthreats do not gain access to devices. To achieve consistent, effective IT and OT security, OT security offers:

Better Visibility: 

For any device attached anywhere on the IT-OT network, it determines the degree of trust and continuously monitors behavior to maintain a level of trust. OT security defines the attack surface and ensures active device and traffic profiling. Traffic visibility further ensures actionable threat intelligence. OT security teams can dictate allowed traffic, ports, protocols, applications, and services. In modern smart establishments, this visibility becomes crucial as thousands of IoT sensors and automation systems generate massive amounts of operational data that needs to be secured.  

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Greater Control: 

Each OT system and subsystem should do its job—and its job only. Multi-factor authentication ensures the appropriate personnel have the appropriate assigned permissions and access. Network segmentation and micro-segmentation provide a layered and leveled approach with zones of control. As Industry 4.0 integrates AI and robotics into processes, granular control over both automated systems and human operators becomes essential. Sandboxing goes a step ahead to detect threats on the OT network and automated quarantine prevents them from doing further damage. 

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Continuous Monitoring: 

Continuous analysis of behaviors in OT networks helps teams learn when, what, where, who, and how by gathering intelligence about known and unknown threats. A central security tool helps with logging, reporting and analytics, and evaluates activity collected across the system. It also provides security information and event management (SIEM), and security orchestration automation and response (SOAR) capabilities. Insights gained by OT security are via user and device behavior analysis and threat assessments ensure continuous protection. When most industries are going digital-first, continuous monitoring also needs to extend to both traditional OT systems and modern industrial IoT devices to create a unified security view.

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Risks and Challenges in OT Security

There are a few risks that come from internal sources, while others are external. Here are top 4 issues faced by OT security professional today:

Intentional IT-OT convergence:

Most industrial and critical infra organizations are accepting risks associated with converging both IT and OT in their environments. It creates a number of operational benefits, efficiencies and cost savings; but an expanding attack surface increases attack vectors and creates more opportunities for lateral movement of attacks between assets.

Unintentional IT-OT convergence:

Even if an organization doesn’t openly adopt IT-OT convergence, unintentional convergence is very much a possibility today. For example, connecting a laptop on an external network to an off-network OT device. If the laptop in this case is compromised with malware, the connected OT device can get infected too.

Industry 4.0:

The industrial internet of things (IIoT), also referred to as Industry 4.0, the fourth evolution within the manufacturing industry has introduced new internet of things (IoT) devices into OT environments, creating new and increasing risks for OT security.

Risk by Insiders:

It is not a necessity that threats to OT security only come from the outside. Insider threats remain a significant challenge. Since many OT devices lack authentication controls, an insider with access and malicious intent can be just as destructive as an outside attack. There’s also always a scope for human error or mistakes that compromise OT devices.

Choosing an OT Security Provider: What to Look For 

Identify assets, classify them, and prioritize value

Control identity and access management

Segment the network dynamically

Analyze traffic for threats and vulnerabilities

Secure both wired and wireless access

Cloud4C Security: Outsourcing OT Cybersecurity to an MSSP

Many companies decide to take on the critical role of cyber security in-house, hiring and training security analysts and acquiring a variety of cybersecurity solutions to safeguard production. But it requires heavy investment in manpower, expertise, and time. Which is why most companies look to Managed Security Services Providers (MSSPs) to take on the role of cybersecurity.  

As a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) Cloud4C offers a comprehensive suite of services, that include Managed Extended Detection and Response (MXDR), Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) and Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR). In pursuit of providing a holistic approach to security, Cloud4c experts ensure continuous monitoring and proactive threat management, acting as an extended Cybersecurity Incident and Response Team (CSIRT). Our integrated approach bridges the gap between IT and OT security requirements, ensuring that industrial operations remain secure and compliant while maintaining optimal performance and availability.

In addition, Cloud4C's diverse security solutions also cover 24/7 automated monitoring, AI-driven Managed Detection and Response, identity and access management, vulnerability assessments, and compliance audits, ensuring that your organization meets industry standards while maintaining robust security. Additionally, with features like the Self-Healing Operations Platform (SHOP^TM), Cloud4C enables predictive threat mitigation and rapid recovery capabilities.  

With a global presence and deep expertise in both IT security vs OT security, Cloud4C not only protects your assets but also drives uninterrupted continuity for your organization. Contact us to know more! 

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