Industrial and Operational Technology (OT) Cybersecurity Services

OT Security refers to the protection of operational technology and industrial systems used to monitor and control processes in infrastructures such as energy supply, transportation, healthcare, production or water and wastewater infrastructure. Threats can range from physical manipulation of equipment to cyber-attacks and data manipulation.

If you operate in an area where critical infrastructures (CRITIS) are operated, it is important and even mandatory to secure OT. Not only does this prevent disruptions, interruptions, or attacks on the infrastructure, but it can also protect human lives in the event of an emergency. And when you consider what an unintentional production stoppage can cost, industrial manufacturing plants should also take OT security measures.

IT/OT convergence refers to the process in which the traditionally separate areas of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) are increasingly being brought together. This is due to increasing digitization, IT and OT systems are being integrated more frequently to improve efficiency and reduce costs. In addition to all the advantages, however, this also increases the attack surface, which means that operating technology is increasingly targeted by cybercriminals.

An OT SOC (Operational Technology Security Operations Center) is a control center that monitors and analyzes security threats in operational technology around the clock. Specially trained professionals here use advanced security technologies and processes to detect, prevent and respond to threats.

The IEC 62443 series of standards (also known as ISA/IEC 62443) is an international series of standards that addresses the cybersecurity of industrial automation and control systems (IACS). It defines a comprehensive security architecture and processes for IACS and provides requirements, guidelines, and recommendations for various aspects of IACS cybersecurity.

The NIST Cyber Security Framework (CSF) is designed to improve cybersecurity in businesses and organizations. It was developed by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and published in 2014. The core of the NIST CSF defines five main functions that should be considered when implementing cybersecurity. These are identification, protection, detection, response, and recovery.

Vulnerability Management (VM) refers to a process that identifies an organization's vulnerabilities (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures, CVEs) that could be exploited by attackers to compromise individual assets. Thus, vulnerability management follows the motto: Only those who know their weaknesses can protect themselves effectively.

Risk management, on the other hand, is used to understand and manage potential risks. Thus, a first step is to understand the risk potential of the affected assets and systems in order to identify potential vulnerabilities and threats and to implement appropriate measures.

The Purdue Reference Model is a conceptual model used to classify process control and automation systems. It was developed by Purdue University in the 1990s and breaks down process control and automation systems into seven different levels, each with different functions. Connected devices and systems are assigned to the levels, while technical protection measures are implemented at the transitions between the areas.