Operational technology is essential for running industrial infrastructures, but cybercriminals increasingly target it. Many organisations don’t realise they have specific vulnerabilities in their OT systems, making them vulnerable to malware. Cybercriminals can remotely access and control your network, causing major disruptions. In 2023, ransomware attacks surged by over 95%.
Given this alarming trend, it’s crucial to identify and mitigate these vulnerabilities to prevent such attacks. This article highlights 3 weak points and offers 3 practical solutions to boost your OT security.
Operational technology is essential for running industrial infrastructures, but cybercriminals increasingly target it. Many organisations don’t realise they have specific vulnerabilities in their OT systems, making them vulnerable to malware. Cybercriminals can remotely access and control your network, causing major disruptions. In 2023, ransomware attacks surged by over 95%.
Given this alarming trend, it’s crucial to identify and mitigate these vulnerabilities to prevent such attacks. This article highlights 3 weak points and offers 3 practical solutions to boost your OT security.
Operational systems are becoming prime targets for cyberattacks, exposing critical vulnerabilities that can disrupt industrial operations. As OT environments become more interconnected, they offer more entry points for hackers. Cybercriminals are constantly evolving their tactics to break into these systems. This growing threat means organisations need to build strong defences, not just to protect data but to ensure industrial processes run smoothly and securely. A solid defence strategy is essential to reduce risks, avoid disruptions, and keep ahead of cyber threats, ensuring the resilience and security of vital industrial operations.
Vulnerability 1: Insecure Remote Access
Remote access lets you connect to a computer, network, or system from anywhere. It’s great for employees working from home and service providers who need to access internal resources without being on site. However, if not managed well, it can pose security risks. In OT environments, which control important industrial processes, insecure remote access can be a big problem, giving cybercriminals easy ways to break in.
One of the primary reasons remote access is often insecure is the lack of solid security measures. Many organisations fail to implement robust authentication mechanisms, leaving access points susceptible to unauthorised users. Weak passwords and the lack of multi-factor authentication (MFA) make it easy for cybercriminals to breach these systems. In most cases, OT networks are infiltrated via a 4G hotspot or EWON router connected to a vulnerable OT asset, creating a weak remote access point. Once the criminals are in, they take control of vital OT systems or access your IT systems to steal data or spread malware. This can lead to severe disruptions in industrial operations, financial losses, and significant reputational damage.
To fix remote access vulnerabilities, organisations should adopt a multi-layered security approach. Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) and zero-trust strategies are crucial first steps. MFA adds an extra security layer by requiring users to provide multiple verification steps before accessing the system. A zero-trust approach, on the other hand, operates on the principle of “never trust, always verify,” meaning that every attempt to access the network is treated as suspicious until verified. Additionally, regular security audits and continuous monitoring of remote access points can help identify and mitigate risks before they can be exploited. These steps can significantly improve your OT system’s security and prevent unauthorised access.
Vulnerability 2: A Gap Between IT and OT Security
Traditionally, IT and OT teams have operated in silos, with IT focusing on information security and network infrastructure, while OT focuses on the physical processes and machinery that make up industrial operations. This separation often leads to a fragmented approach in all domains, ranging from asset management, change management, and backup management to – you’ve guessed it – security. In that last department, critical vulnerabilities in OT systems may go unnoticed by IT teams and vice versa. The absence of a unified strategy makes it challenging to implement comprehensive security measures that address the needs of both environments.
This lack of collaboration makes systems particularly vulnerable to cyber threats. Cybercriminals increasingly exploit the IT and OT security gap to access industrial control systems. For example, an attacker might penetrate the IT network and move laterally to the OT environment, where outdated security practices and unpatched systems provide easy targets. Without a coordinated effort, IT and OT teams may fail to share crucial threat intelligence or respond effectively to incidents, resulting in prolonged downtimes and significant financial losses. Moreover, the lack of a unified security approach can lead to inconsistent policies and procedures, misconfiguration, or change management errors. These potential mistakes by internal employees make it easier for attackers to exploit weak points in the network.
To resolve this issue, organisations need to foster a culture of collaboration between IT and OT security teams. This can be achieved by conducting regular cross-departmental meetings and encouraging open communication channels. Integrating security solutions that provide visibility into IT and OT environments can help identify and mitigate risks more effectively. Training programs that educate both teams on each environment’s unique challenges and requirements can further enhance mutual understanding and cooperation. By bridging the gap between IT and OT security, organisations can develop a more robust and resilient security posture that safeguards information and operational assets.
Vulnerability 3: Unpatched Legacy Systems
Legacy systems refer to older systems, software or hardware that continue to be used even though more advanced technologies are available. They are crucial for controlling industrial processes and machinery in OT environments. However, these systems often miss out on security updates and patches. This happens because upgrading or replacing them can be costly and disruptive. As a result, legacy systems stay in use longer than intended, becoming easy targets for modern cyber threats.
Because legacy systems do not receive security updates, their vulnerabilities become well-known over time, making them easy targets for cybercriminals. If defence in depth is not properly installed, attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities to gain unauthorised access to OT networks, causing significant disruptions. Plus, their operating systems are simply not advanced enough to deal with the latest communication protocols, which could lead to an outage of the legacy assets. They may also lack advanced security features that are standard in newer technologies, such as MFA, encryption, and intrusion detection systems. This makes it easier for cybercriminals to infiltrate and manipulate these systems, causing issues like data breaches and malware infections.
To resolve the security challenges posed by unpatched legacy systems, you need to be proactive and enforce defence in depth. Start by limiting communication from legacy systems outside the plant perimeter, conducting regular security checks to spot problems, and using access controls to minimise risks. Where possible, make sure you plan system upgrades to supported equipment, even if the systems are old. Another option is redesigning the plant network and introducing secure handoff servers as your bastion server. If you can’t upgrade or replace your legacy systems, use security tools for older tech, like virtual patching and threat detection. By addressing the security vulnerabilities of legacy systems, you can significantly improve your OT security posture and reduce the chances of cyberattacks.
An OT Security Shield that Grows With You
Enhancing OT security maturity involves a structured approach and consistent effort. Understanding your organisation’s context and core business is vital when implementing OT security measures. A holistic approach—protecting your vital OT assets, securing access, detecting threats in real time, and establishing robust network defences—works best.
Your OT infrastructure is crucial—it keeps everything running. At SoterICS, we understand this. Our OT Shield subscriptions are flexible to fit your budget, needs, and the current state of your OT security. We provide support that strengthens your OT security with smart investments. Our top priority is to keep you ahead of the curve, providing peace of mind and assurance that all security concerns are expertly handled.
Operational systems are becoming prime targets for cyberattacks, exposing critical vulnerabilities that can disrupt industrial operations. As OT environments become more interconnected, they offer more entry points for hackers. Cybercriminals are constantly evolving their tactics to break into these systems. This growing threat means organisations need to build strong defences, not just to protect data but to ensure industrial processes run smoothly and securely. A solid defence strategy is essential to reduce risks, avoid disruptions, and keep ahead of cyber threats, ensuring the resilience and security of vital industrial operations.
Vulnerability 1: Insecure Remote Access
Remote access lets you connect to a computer, network, or system from anywhere. It’s great for employees working from home and service providers who need to access internal resources without being on site. However, if not managed well, it can pose security risks. In OT environments, which control important industrial processes, insecure remote access can be a big problem, giving cybercriminals easy ways to break in.
One of the primary reasons remote access is often insecure is the lack of solid security measures. Many organisations fail to implement robust authentication mechanisms, leaving access points susceptible to unauthorised users. Weak passwords and the lack of multi-factor authentication (MFA) make it easy for cybercriminals to breach these systems. In most cases, OT networks are infiltrated via a 4G hotspot or EWON router connected to a vulnerable OT asset, creating a weak remote access point. Once the criminals are in, they take control of vital OT systems or access your IT systems to steal data or spread malware. This can lead to severe disruptions in industrial operations, financial losses, and significant reputational damage.
To fix remote access vulnerabilities, organisations should adopt a multi-layered security approach. Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) and zero-trust strategies are crucial first steps. MFA adds an extra security layer by requiring users to provide multiple verification steps before accessing the system. A zero-trust approach, on the other hand, operates on the principle of “never trust, always verify,” meaning that every attempt to access the network is treated as suspicious until verified. Additionally, regular security audits and continuous monitoring of remote access points can help identify and mitigate risks before they can be exploited. These steps can significantly improve your OT system’s security and prevent unauthorised access.
Vulnerability 2: A Gap Between IT and OT Security
Traditionally, IT and OT teams have operated in silos, with IT focusing on information security and network infrastructure, while OT focuses on the physical processes and machinery that make up industrial operations. This separation often leads to a fragmented approach in all domains, ranging from asset management, change management, and backup management to – you’ve guessed it – security. In that last department, critical vulnerabilities in OT systems may go unnoticed by IT teams and vice versa. The absence of a unified strategy makes it challenging to implement comprehensive security measures that address the needs of both environments.
This lack of collaboration makes systems particularly vulnerable to cyber threats. Cybercriminals increasingly exploit the IT and OT security gap to access industrial control systems. For example, an attacker might penetrate the IT network and move laterally to the OT environment, where outdated security practices and unpatched systems provide easy targets. Without a coordinated effort, IT and OT teams may fail to share crucial threat intelligence or respond effectively to incidents, resulting in prolonged downtimes and significant financial losses. Moreover, the lack of a unified security approach can lead to inconsistent policies and procedures, misconfiguration, or change management errors. These potential mistakes by internal employees make it easier for attackers to exploit weak points in the network.
To resolve this issue, organisations need to foster a culture of collaboration between IT and OT security teams. This can be achieved by conducting regular cross-departmental meetings and encouraging open communication channels. Integrating security solutions that provide visibility into IT and OT environments can help identify and mitigate risks more effectively. Training programs that educate both teams on each environment’s unique challenges and requirements can further enhance mutual understanding and cooperation. By bridging the gap between IT and OT security, organisations can develop a more robust and resilient security posture that safeguards information and operational assets.
Vulnerability 3: Unpatched Legacy Systems
Legacy systems refer to older systems, software or hardware that continue to be used even though more advanced technologies are available. They are crucial for controlling industrial processes and machinery in OT environments. However, these systems often miss out on security updates and patches. This happens because upgrading or replacing them can be costly and disruptive. As a result, legacy systems stay in use longer than intended, becoming easy targets for modern cyber threats.
Because legacy systems do not receive security updates, their vulnerabilities become well-known over time, making them easy targets for cybercriminals. If defence in depth is not properly installed, attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities to gain unauthorised access to OT networks, causing significant disruptions. Plus, their operating systems are simply not advanced enough to deal with the latest communication protocols, which could lead to an outage of the legacy assets. They may also lack advanced security features that are standard in newer technologies, such as MFA, encryption, and intrusion detection systems. This makes it easier for cybercriminals to infiltrate and manipulate these systems, causing issues like data breaches and malware infections.
To resolve the security challenges posed by unpatched legacy systems, you need to be proactive and enforce defence in depth. Start by limiting communication from legacy systems outside the plant perimeter, conducting regular security checks to spot problems, and using access controls to minimise risks. Where possible, make sure you plan system upgrades to supported equipment, even if the systems are old. Another option is redesigning the plant network and introducing secure handoff servers as your bastion server. If you can’t upgrade or replace your legacy systems, use security tools for older tech, like virtual patching and threat detection. By addressing the security vulnerabilities of legacy systems, you can significantly improve your OT security posture and reduce the chances of cyberattacks.
An OT Security Shield that Grows With You
Enhancing OT security maturity involves a structured approach and consistent effort. Understanding your organisation’s context and core business is vital when implementing OT security measures. A holistic approach—protecting your vital OT assets, securing access, detecting threats in real time, and establishing robust network defences—works best.
Your OT infrastructure is crucial—it keeps everything running. At SoterICS, we understand this. Our OT Shield subscriptions are flexible to fit your budget, needs, and the current state of your OT security. We provide support that strengthens your OT security with smart investments. Our top priority is to keep you ahead of the curve, providing peace of mind and assurance that all security concerns are expertly handled.
