Don't Dismiss Your OT Security: A Guide to Protecting Operational Technology

Manufacturing companies are paying ransomware attackers more than ever before, with the manufacturing sector reporting the highest average ransom payment of any industry. The reason? Operational Technology (OT) environments — the backbone of modern manufacturing — are increasingly vulnerable to cyber attacks as they become more digitally connected. Yet many manufacturers still treat OT security as an afterthought. 

It’s well past time manufacturers start to take the threat more seriously as industry reports detail an increasing likelihood of an incident. According to IBM, the manufacturing sector now accounts for 26 percent of all cyber attacks — with ransomware involved in more than two thirds of these incidents. Clearly, organizations that dismiss or ignore OT security risks do so at their own peril.  

Eliminate Reactive with Inversion6: Connect with our cybersecurity experts to get started on your custom security solution today.   

Why OT Security Matters Now More Than Ever 

The manufacturing sector is experiencing what security experts call the "IT-ification" of equipment — the growing integration of traditional manufacturing systems with digital capabilities. While this digital transformation drives efficiency and enables Industry 4.0 initiatives, it also introduces significant cybersecurity risks that many manufacturers aren't prepared to handle. 

Remember, as a whole, the manufacturing community doesn't have the kind of awareness about security that a typical cyber team does. Engineers in such environments are approaching their systems with a focus on connectivity and automating processes — factors in help produce more parts, products, and goods. They are NOT security professionals accustomed to looking for potential exploits, weaknesses, or gaps that could be problematic.  

What makes OT security particularly challenging is that traditional IT security approaches don't work. You can't simply patch a manufacturing system or force a reboot during production hours. As already noted, organized threat actors targeting manufacturing OT systems are increasing dramatically, making this vulnerability even more critical.  

Three Critical Steps Toward Better OT Security 

Step 1: Segregate IT and OT 

The first and most fundamental step for manufacturers is to separate their IT and OT networks. Those two elements should not be able to talk directly without oversight on the network. Think of it this way: IT and OT are different animals, and should live in different sections of the zoo.  

While manufacturing engineers need to communicate between IT and OT systems, this must happen in a controlled, secure manner. Without proper segregation, a security incident in your office network could cascade into your manufacturing operations, or vice versa. 

Step 2: Gain Visibility 

You can't protect what you can't see. Manufacturing environments need the same level of monitoring and visibility as IT networks, but with OT-specific tools and approaches. This means implementing systems that can monitor industrial protocols, track device behavior, and alert on anomalies specific to manufacturing operations. 

In IT, the concept of having zero logs of your environment is non-sensical and absurd on its face. In short, it should never happen. However, this is far too often the case for OT. The same principle should apply to both.  

Step 3: Develop OT-Specific Processes 

We’ve discussed this already, but standard IT security procedures don't translate directly to OT environments. Manufacturing operations need special response playbooks and vulnerability management approaches that account for the unique constraints of industrial systems. The response plan for OT needs to account for the unique characteristics of that environment.  

This means developing specific procedures for: 

• Incident response that prioritizes operational continuity 

• Vulnerability management that works around production schedules 

• Security updates that won't disrupt manufacturing processes 

• Vendor management for equipment manufacturers and maintenance providers 

Level Up Your OT Security with Inversion6 

The cost of inadequate OT security can be catastrophic. When manufacturing operations are compromised, production stops completely. This explains why manufacturers pay ransomware at a higher rate than other industries — they simply can't afford extended downtime. A breach and ransomware demands can be an extinction-level event for many organizations. 

As manufacturers think about their Industry 4.0 investments they should also consider security alongside the usual goals of increasing productivity and connectivity. Ensuring stability and sustainability in the long run by baking in security means these investments won’t increase risk — but help mitigate it.  

Start by assessing your current OT security posture. 

• Do you have proper network segregation? 

• Can you see what's happening in your manufacturing environment? 

• Are your response procedures adapted for OT? 

The key is working with security professionals who understand both manufacturing operations and cybersecurity. They should have real-world experience making difficult decisions about balancing security with operational needs. 

At Inversion6, our team of CISOs bring real-world, manufacturing-sector experience to the table. They’ve had the conversations with both IT and OT departments about how to balance priorities and make sure the goals of both align with best practices to secure both types of environments. They’ve approached the issues in OT as both security experts and manufacturing organizational leaders who are seeing their roles evolve and encompass more.  

Developing OT security solutions is just one face of what Inversion6 brings to the table. From a comprehensive package for a complete cybersecurity program to more specialized services such as incident response tabletop exercises and cybersecurity compliance, we act as an extension of your team to find perfect-fit solutions.  

 Schedule a consultation today to learn more.