Protecting Critical Infrastructure from Cyber Threats
Operational technology (OT) plays a vital role in powering industries, from energy production to transportation. As OT systems increasingly integrate with IT networks and utilize edge computing, they become vulnerable to cyber attacks that could have catastrophic consequences. To manage the growing cyber-risk, organizations relying on OT must adopt best practices for OT security. This article explores six key strategies that organizations can implement to safeguard their OT infrastructure.
Placing OT Security under the CISO’s Control
Traditionally, OT systems operated independently from IT departments, resulting in a fragmented approach to cybersecurity. However, the convergence of OT, IT, IoT, and industrial IoT necessitates a unified strategy to combat cyber threats effectively. By placing OT security under the Chief Information Security Officer’s (CISO) control, organizations can ensure consistent application of security measures and optimize their overall security posture. The CISO provides the necessary oversight, resources, and expertise to assess OT security risks accurately and respond to threats and vulnerabilities effectively.
Identifying and Prioritizing OT Assets
Before defending assets, organizations must have a comprehensive understanding of their OT systems, hardware, software, and related technologies. Maintaining an up-to-date inventory of all OT assets is crucial. Ideally, the security team should have centralized, automated discovery and management capabilities to gain full visibility into the OT environment and attack surface. After identifying assets, prioritization based on operational importance is essential. This approach allows organizations to focus investments on protecting high-priority assets and establish incident response policies that secure the most critical systems first.
Conducting Security Awareness Training
Human error remains a significant vulnerability in OT environments. Regular security awareness training is crucial to ensure that all employees, regardless of their roles, understand cyber risks and their responsibilities in mitigating them. Training should address the unique challenges presented by OT systems, including the potential consequences of critical infrastructure attacks. By fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness, organizations can strengthen their overall defense against cyber threats.
Updating and Patching Software Regularly
Outdated software leaves OT systems vulnerable to exploits. Establishing a robust patch management process ensures that all systems receive timely updates. Given the criticality of OT connectivity to operations, updates and patches should undergo thorough testing in controlled environments before deployment. This minimizes network downtime and prevents potential operational disruptions caused by incompatible or faulty patches.
Controlling Network Access
Controlling who and what can connect to an OT network is paramount. Implementing security tools such as identity and access management and network access control allows organizations to enforce the principle of least privilege. By limiting access to OT systems only to devices and users that require it for their job functions, organizations significantly reduce the risk of intrusions and unauthorized access.
Considering a Zero-Trust Framework
The zero-trust model operates on the principle of “never trust; always verify.” Instead of assuming that everything within a network is safe, zero trust demands continuous authentication and authorization of all users and devices, both internal and external. This approach utilizes behavioral and contextual clues to identify suspicious activities, such as OT access requests at unusual times or from unexpected users. By implementing a zero-trust framework, organizations can limit an attacker’s lateral movement within the network and prevent rogue internal agents from exploiting critical infrastructure systems.
Conclusion:
As operational technology becomes increasingly interconnected, the need for robust OT security practices becomes paramount. By adopting these best practices, organizations can effectively manage cyber-risk and protect critical infrastructure from potentially devastating cyber attacks. Placing OT security under the CISO’s control, identifying and prioritizing assets, conducting security awareness training, regularly updating and patching software, controlling network access, and considering a zero-trust framework are essential steps towards safeguarding OT systems. With a proactive and comprehensive approach to OT security, organizations can ensure the resilience and reliability of their critical industrial control systems.
Leave a Reply