The State of OT Security - Overview

The State of OT Security – Overview

The landscape of operational technology (OT) security israpidly evolving, presenting both challenges and opportunities for industrialoperations worldwide. Once considered fortified against cyber threats due toair-gapped systems and legacy assets, OT environments are now facing a surge inattacks that are common, widespread, and distressingly frequent. The rise ofransomware, in particular, has inflicted significant damage on industrialsectors in recent years, leading to operational shutdowns, revenue losses, andsubstantial remediation expenses. 

This escalating threat has catapulted cybersecurity to theforefront of industrial operators' agendas. Predictions indicate a surge inspending on OT cybersecurity over the next two years. However, implementingeffective solutions is fraught with difficulties. One major hurdle is thedisparate nature of OT and IT teams, which often operate in silos, resulting inmisaligned decision-making and collaboration on cybersecurity matters. Despiteslow progress, there is a growing trend toward the convergence of OT and IT,with many industrial operators aiming for centralized decision-making oncybersecurity that encompasses both realms. 

Furthermore, industrial operators must contend withincreasing compliance requirements stemming from upcoming regulations andstandards in the field. The adoption of new technologies and processes,including artificial intelligence (AI), remote access, cloud computing, 5G, androbotics, introduces additional complexities and risks that necessitate carefulmanagement. 

A recent survey found that:

• Cyberattacks can shut down OT operations. Almost 70% ofindustrial organizations have experienced a cyberattack in the past year, and 1out of 4 experienced a shutdown of operations as a result.

• Cybercriminals are the most feared, more so thanstate-sponsored groups or hacktivists. Malware, ransomware, and insider attacksare the top 3 threats according to industrial operators.

• IT is the main vector, with 72% of attacks targeting theOT originating there.

• Regulatory pressure on OT is growing; 74% of executivesbelieve it will increase in the next 2 years.

• 5G security will become essential, as 70% of respondentsbelieve 5G devices to be an OT threat vector.

• The move to the cloud will reinforce OT security,according to 80% of respondents.

• AI is a double-edged sword. 74% say AI attacks against OTare a critical issue today, but 8 out of 10 also agree that AI will be key tostopping OT attacks.

• Friction between OT & IT is a challenge. 40% say thattheir OT and IT teams are frictional, and only 12% say they are aligned.

Those keyfindings underscore the urgency of addressing OT security concerns.Cyberattacks have the potential to disrupt OT operations significantly, with asizable portion of industrial organizations reporting shutdowns as a result ofsuch incidents. Malware, ransomware, and insider threats rank among the topconcerns for industrial operators, with IT environments serving as the primaryvector for attacks.

 Regulatory pressure is mounting, with the majority ofexecutives expecting increased scrutiny and oversight in the coming years.Regulatory instruments such as the NIS2 Directive in Europe and updates tosecurity directives in the United States reflect a concerted effort to protectcritical infrastructure, including OT environments.

 In conclusion, safeguarding OT environments against cyberthreats is paramount for ensuring business continuity and national security.Industrial operators must overcome organizational barriers, embrace emergingtechnologies judiciously, and align with regulatory requirements to mitigaterisks effectively. By prioritizing collaboration, compliance, and the adoptionof robust cybersecurity measures, industrial firms can navigate the evolvingthreat landscape with resilience and confidence.

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