Operational technology cybersecurity considerations

Operational Technology (OT) Refers to the hardware and software used to change, monitor, or control an enterprise’s physical equipment, processes, and events. Unlike traditional information technology (IT) systems, OT systems directly impact the physical world. This unique characteristic of OT brings additional cybersecurity considerations that are not typically present in traditional IT security architectures.

Integration of IT and OT

Historically, IT and operational technology (OT) have operated in separate silos, each with its own set of protocols, standards and cybersecurity measures. However, with the emergence of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), these two areas are increasingly converging. While this convergence facilitates efficiency and data-driven decision-making, it also exposes OT systems to the same cyber threats as IT systems.

Unique cyber security considerations for OT

Immediate requirements

Operational technology systems often run on the fly and cannot tolerate delays. Delays in OT systems can lead to serious operational issues and even safety hazards. Therefore, OT network security measures that introduce latency, such as multi-factor authentication, instant access request workflow, and session activity monitoring, may not be suitable for OT environments.

Please note that the impact of these features on system performance may vary depending on the specific PAM solution and how it is configured. Therefore, it is critical to thoroughly test any PAM solution in a live environment to ensure that it meets performance requirements while still providing the necessary security controls.

Legacy systems and connectivity

Many operational technology systems remain outdated. They are proprietary and customized to meet longevity and recovery requirements in harsh conditions. Cybersecurity is not a high priority for traditional OT systems, so they lack the ability to defend against contemporary OT cybersecurity threats, resulting in high risk.

They may lack basic security features such as encryption, authentication, and multi-factor authentication (MFA). Modernizing these systems presents significant challenges in terms of cost, operational disruption, and compatibility issues. There may not be people with the knowledge and skills to understand the design and code.

As these systems become increasingly integrated into IT networks (and sometimes the Internet), their susceptibility to cyber threats increases. While beneficial to operational efficiency, this linkage inadvertently increases their attack surface, thereby exacerbating their vulnerability.

Some examples of unique security challenges include:

• Outdated hardware and software: Outdated hardware and software pose significant security challenges, primarily due to incompatibility with modern, off-the-shelf security solutions and best practices. This leaves traditional OT systems open to unauthorized surveillance, data exfiltration, ransomware attacks, and potential manipulation.
• Lack of encryption: Encryption is critical to protecting sensitive information and communications. Still, older OT systems may not support encryption, which leaves them open to attacks that could compromise data confidentiality and integrity.
• Insecure communication protocol: Traditional OT systems may use insecure communication protocols that attackers can exploit. For example, Modbus is a widely used communication protocol in traditional OT systems and does not contain authentication or encryption capabilities, making it vulnerable to attacks.
• Limited ability to implement cybersecurity controls: Traditional OT systems are often limited in their ability to apply cybersecurity measures. For example, they may have been offered before OEMs recognized the importance of cybersecurity and managed it, making its security complex.
• Third-party remote connection: Older OT systems may support remote connections from third parties to manage OT devices connected to the internal network. Intruders can target the network established by the provider and use it to contaminate other devices.
• Lack of security awareness: Operators and technicians managing legacy OT systems may lack security awareness and training, leaving them vulnerable to social engineering attacks.
• Embedded or easily guessable credentials: Some OT devices, such as those in the IoT category, may have inherent or predictable passwords, as well as other potential design flaws.

Safe and reliable

In an operational technology environment, the primary focus is on maintaining the safety and reliability of the physical processes it controls. This is very different from traditional IT environments, which often focus on confidentiality and integrity of data.

• Safety: OT systems control physical processes and, if they fail, can have real-world consequences. For example, in a power plant, failure of a control system can lead to outages or even catastrophic events. Therefore, ensuring the security of these systems is critical.
• reliability: OT systems must be available and functioning properly to ensure the smooth functioning of physical processes. Any downtime could result in significant operational disruption and financial losses.

In contrast, in OT environments, confidentiality (preventing unauthorized access to information) and integrity (ensuring that data remains accurate and cannot be altered) often take a back seat. While these elements are important, they are generally not as important as security and reliability.

This prioritization may impact the implementation of cybersecurity measures. Cybersecurity measures that protect data (increase confidentiality and integrity) but compromise the reliability of OT systems may not be appropriate. For example, a security patch may correct a known vulnerability (improving integrity), but you might consider it inappropriate if it causes system instability (undermining reliability).

While many cybersecurity best practices and frameworks focus on traditional IT environments, OT can benefit as well. For example, the OWASP Top 10 addresses web application network security issues such as injections, authentication failures, sensitive data exposure, and security misconfigurations, which are common vulnerabilities that also exist in OT environments. OWASP also has a separate list for the Internet of Things (IoT), which is often an important part of the OT environment.

Cybersecurity policies in OT environments must be carefully designed to balance the needs for security and reliability with the needs for data confidentiality and integrity

Therefore, network security policies in OT environments need to be carefully designed to balance the needs of security and reliability with the needs of data confidentiality and integrity. This often requires a different approach to traditional IT security, one more focused on minimizing disruption to physical processes. This is a delicate balancing act that requires a deep understanding of operational procedures and potential cyber threats.

Securing OT environments requires a different approach than traditional IT security. It requires understanding the unique characteristics and requirements of OT systems and designing cybersecurity measures that can protect them without affecting their operations.

As IT and OT continue to converge, the importance of OT cybersecurity will only increase. The use of encryption is critical to protecting sensitive information and communications. Still, older OT systems may not support encryption, which leaves them open to attacks that could compromise data confidentiality and integrity.

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