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Protect Your Network from OT Vulnerability Risks 

Operational Technology (OT) refers to the hardware and software systems used to monitor, control, and automate industrial processes. These systems are integral to critical infrastructure and industries such as manufacturing, energy, utilities, and transportation. 

OT systems are crucial for controlling real-world critical processes across various industries and therefore have become significant targets for cyberattacks. These systems manage essential parameters such as speed and temperature in industrial processes, and a cyberattack could enable attackers to manipulate these controls, leading to malfunctions or complete system outages. 

The risk grows when there are inadequate OT security measures in place. Often, devices connect directly to the Internet, and attackers can exploit poor OT security configurations like weak passwords or outdated software with known vulnerabilities to gain access to these systems.

For example, in the recent Israel-Hamas conflict, attackers exploited internet-exposed, poorly secured OT devices and publicized their successes on Telegram channels, often sharing images of compromised systems as evidence.

In this blog, we explore the topic of OT vulnerabilities, including the challenges and benefits of effective OT vulnerability management, and how Lansweeper can help.

What Are OT Vulnerabilities?

OT vulnerabilities are weaknesses or flaws within an organization’s OT systems that can be exploited by cyber attackers and used to gain unauthorized access or cause damage. Many OT environments rely on legacy systems that were not designed with modern cybersecurity threats in mind and may lack basic security features such as encryption and authentication. They frequently use proprietary communication protocols that may not be well-documented or widely understood, as well, making it difficult to identify vulnerabilities in the first place. 

Since many OT systems are required to operate continuously, simply interrupting operation to administer patches or updates can have a significant impact, so vulnerabilities are often left unpatched. Another concern is the increasing integration between IT and OT systems – convergence can expose OT systems to IT threats such as malware, phishing, and ransomware.

What is OT Vulnerability Management?

To mitigate these risks, organizations should implement OT vulnerability management – the continuous effort to identify OT security gaps, understand the risks they pose, and take action to patch them up. This involves regular vulnerability scans and patches and applying OT security controls that are specifically designed for OT environments.

Effective vulnerability management helps companies stay compliant and avoid fines. With cyberattacks on the rise, especially targeting critical infrastructure, managing vulnerabilities is key to protecting against these threats. And let’s not forget business continuity – reducing vulnerabilities means fewer disruptions and smoother operations.

Key Differences Between IT and OT Vulnerability Management

There are some notable differences between managing vulnerabilities in IT systems versus OT systems. While IT systems are focused on data processing, storage, and communication, OT systems focus on managing physical processes and machinery. This means their priorities differ: IT emphasizes data confidentiality, integrity, and availability, whereas OT prioritizes safety, reliability, and continuous operation.

Another difference is the way in which patches are implemented. While IT systems can be updated regularly with fewer concerns about downtime, OT systems must stay operational continuously.

Benefits of Implementing OT Vulnerability Management

Implementing OT vulnerability management brings several benefits: 

• Strengthens Security: By regularly identifying and addressing vulnerabilities, OT vulnerability management protects OT systems from cyber threats. 
• Simplifies Compliance: OT vulnerability management helps ensure compliance with industry regulations, avoiding penalties and legal issues.
• Boosts Operational Resilience: By mitigating the risk of security incidents, companies can maintain the reliability and safety of their industrial processes. 
• Reduces Overhead: Proactive management of vulnerabilities can prevent costly incidents and downtime, leading to long-term cost savings. 
• Enhances Safety: OT vulnerabilities management reduces the risk of safety hazards and environmental damage.

Challenges in OT Vulnerability Management

Managing OT vulnerabilities comes with a unique set of challenges that differ significantly from traditional IT settings. Here’s a closer look at some of these obstacles and how organizations can tackle them.

Identifying and Assessing OT Vulnerabilities

One of the primary challenges in OT vulnerability management is simply identifying and assessing them. OT environments often leverage legacy systems and proprietary technologies, which can make it difficult to apply conventional vulnerability scanning and assessment tools. 

Avoiding Downtime

Securing OT environments is further complicated by their unique operational requirements. OT systems must operate continuously. Unlike IT systems, where regular maintenance and updates are the norm, OT systems may only have limited windows for such activities, often during scheduled downtimes that could be months apart. 

What’s more, OT environments often require specialized security measures that account for both cyber and physical security. For instance, while network segmentation and firewall implementation are crucial, they must be done in a way that does not impede the operational efficiency. Traditional IT security solutions may not be directly applicable or sufficient, necessitating tailored approaches that consider the specific characteristics of OT networks and devices.

Handling Complexity

The complexity of OT systems and networks presents another major hurdle. OT environments typically consist of diverse components from different vendors, with varying protocols and communication standards, making it a challenge to implement a unified security strategy. Additionally, many OT systems are designed to last for decades, meaning they often operate alongside newer technologies, creating a heterogeneous network that is challenging to secure in a uniform way.

Best Practices for OT Vulnerability Management

Addressing the challenges of OT vulnerabilities management requires a deep understanding of both the operational and security aspects of OT systems, along with comprehensive security policies that encompass the entire lifecycle of OT devices, from procurement to decommissioning. Ensuring that all devices are regularly updated, conducting thorough risk assessments, and implementing robust incident response plans tailored to OT environments are all essential components of a sound OT vulnerability management strategy.

Here are a few best practices to follow, as you design and implement your OT vulnerabilities management strategy:

• Implement a Risk-Based Approach: Conduct thorough risk assessments to identify which vulnerabilities pose the greatest threat to the organization. Consider factors such as potential impact of an exploit and the likelihood of an attack. By focusing on the most significant risks, you can effectively allocate resources to mitigate the most severe threats first.
• Deploy Patches Strategically: Schedule patches during planned maintenance windows to minimize disruptions. Test patches in a controlled environment before deployment to ensure they don’t negatively impact the stability of your OT systems. Use controls such as network segmentation and enhanced monitoring to provide interim protection in cases where patches can’t be deployed immediately.
• Ensure Compliance with Industry Regulations and Standards: Regulations such as NERC CIP for the energy sector, NIST SP 800-82 for industrial control systems, and IEC 62443 for industrial communication networks provide guidelines and requirements for securing OT environments. Be sure to stay informed about relevant regulations and ensure your OT vulnerability management practices align with these standards. Regular audits and assessments can help verify compliance and identify areas for improvement.

Choosing an OT Vulnerability Solution

When evaluating OT vulnerability management solutions, it’s important to prioritize the following key features to ensure comprehensive protection:

• Continuous monitoring and detection to quickly identify vulnerabilities and potential threats, so that issues are detected and addressed promptly, before they can be exploited.
• A comprehensive asset inventory of all OT assets, including devices, systems, and software.
• Risk-based prioritization, taking into account the criticality of the asset, the potential impact of an exploit, and the likelihood of an attack.
• Patches and updates, and the capability to schedule updates during maintenance windows to minimize operational disruptions.
• Reporting to simplify the process of demonstrating regulatory compliance and identifying areas for improvement.
• Scalability to accommodate the growth of OT environments and the flexibility to adapt to different types of industrial systems and networks.
• The ability to integrate with existing IT security infrastructure, such as  Security Information and Event Management (SIEMs) systems, Endpoint Protection Platforms (EPPs), Network Security Tools and Incident Response Platforms.

Lansweeper for Effective OT Vulnerability Management

Lansweeper combines IT and OT discovery to provide a holistic view of every network-connected asset across your organization, so you can discover, inventory and manage IT and OT devices across the infrastructure, all in one place. Lansweeper data can be used to understand OT performance, health status, and utilization patterns at-a-glance, as well as proactively detect security threats and enforce access controls to safeguard critical OT infrastructure.

Lansweeper integrates seamlessly with existing IT security infrastructure, including SIEM systems, endpoint protection platforms, and network security tools, for a unified approach. Continuous monitoring and alerts help to ensure that any vulnerabilities or threats are promptly detected and addressed, and that risks can be mitigated before they can impact operations.

Other capabilities include:

• Patch Management, to reduce manual effort and ensuring all systems are up-to-date with the latest security fixes.
• Enhanced Reporting for demonstrating due diligence in vulnerability management.
• Scalability and Flexibility to grow with your organization and adapt to various types of industrial systems.

By choosing Lansweeper’s OT vulnerability management solution, you can enhance your organization’s security posture, streamline compliance, and protect critical infrastructure from evolving cyber threats. Learn more about Lansweeper for OT.

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