Securing Information Technology (IT) systems is the primary talking point of cybersecurity experts and is what makes up a majority of the headlines regarding cyber attacks and data breaches. While securing IT infrastructure is a top priority, there are other businesses assets that are often neglected or just not thought of. Operational Technology assets (OT) are a prime example of business critical infrastructure that is often left unsecured and consistently targeted by cyber criminals. These technologies are often found within the manufacturing industry and are responsible for production, packaging, automation, and various other tasks. Continue reading to learn more about OT and why it is important to secure these critical assets.
OT systems are created to fulfill a specific purpose in mind to help automate certain industrial processes. This includes any of the machinery used in a factory, or on the work floor that helps produce, package, or aid the creation of a product. These technologies are mostly used to monitor and control production in factory settings. These technologies are the backbone of the manufacturing industry and without them organizations would shut down.
Examples of Operational Technologies Include:
There are various factors that increase the risk of OT being exploited by bad actors. As technology becomes more interconnected, operational technologies are being given more and more access to the internet and the outside world. This makes production much more convenient through coupling IT and OT together. Unfortunately, it also opens these devices up to attack. Organizations may forget just how interconnected the machines they use are, and that one compromised host could mean extensive downtime.
Downtime is the manufacturing industry's greatest enemy. If you can't produce, you can't make money. A data breach in the OT environment has the power to shut down entire factories and production lines. Depending on the sophistication of the attack, this downtime could last anywhere from hours to days to weeks. Most small-medium sized businesses can't afford to be inoperable for an extended period of time. That's why securing OT and having remediation plans are crucial.
Operational Technologies also come with unique vulnerabilities that IT systems don't have to face. Most software and applications used within the IT systems of an organization are regularly updated, patched, and logged to ensure that the tools used to conduct business are safe and secure. These updates are released regularly, sometimes every month. The machinery used in the manufacturing industry is often expensive and built to last a longtime. This means that replacing a compromised host or device is much more costly and leads to potential downtime. Additionally, these devices aren't updated or patched nearly as often as IT devices as a good amount of manufacturers are using decade old machines. These devices force users to operate on legacy software and OS that may be vulnerable to cyber attacks.
The most common vulnerability found in any device is a misconfiguration or up-applied update. As OT and IT begin to converge it drastically increases the probability of a misconfiguration or setting being open to exploitation. Old passwords or default factory settings may not be considered secure within a newer IT environment. This means that when these technologies are used in tandem, there must be greater care taken to configuration and security controls.
For manufacturers, the standard security controls still apply. Use strong, complex passwords to secure all of your machines, including OT. Organizations should also focus on updating and patching any machines that are out of date or require maintenance. Make updating a consistent practice so that your machines don't fall behind.
MSP's offer an increased level of security for manufacturers looking to bolster their OT security posture. Oftentimes, MSP's have the knowledge and access to tools that manufacturers need to implement more technical controls in their OT environments. CorpInfoTech is an MSP that specializes in securing the manufacturing industry through security assessments, managed firewall services, and vulnerability scanning. We can help ensure that your IT and OT are working together in a way that benefits your organization while staying secure.
CorpInfoTech (Corporate Information Technologies) provides small to mid-market organizations with expert I.T. services including compliance assessment, cybersecurity penetration tests, and comprehensive business continuity planning services. CorpInfoTech can help organizations, quantify, create, refine, and mitigate the risks presented by business threatening disasters in whatever form they may be disguised.