Historically, OT equipment functioned in isolation or with limited communication capabilities amongst each other. Furthermore, any communication was based on proprietary standards utilized in the manufacturing industry. This characteristic of siloed infrastructure limited the organization’s ability to optimize its operations to reach its true potential. Fast forward to today, and OT environments have become more interconnected. This advancement brought with it immense possibilities but also increased dangers.
Manufacturers running smart factories with interconnected infrastructure leverage network solutions tailor-made to address these risks. Otorio.com, for example, uses intelligent software to monitor communications and processes in OT environments. They are closing gaps in security and addressing compliance issues.
Why protecting your operation is critical.
In a manufacturing facility, security is more than just physical walls. Like a well-defended fortress, your cyber-attack surface represents all digital gates, windows, and weaknesses that could be used to disrupt operations or steal proprietary information. This includes any network-connected equipment, such as industrial robots and employee computers.
Even connections that keep your OT environment running smoothly, such as internet access, can be used by threat actors to gain access. Collectively, all these entry points together make up the attack surface of the OT environment.
Although a cyber breach is severe, breaches in OT environments could result in more than data loss alone. Threat actors could intentionally disrupt manufacturing controls and safety devices, which could result in massive industrial disasters, destroying ecosystems and even causing the loss of human life. Organizations that fail to secure their OT environment could face heavy fines and enormous damage to their reputation in the industry. By making OT cyber security a priority, business continuity can be ensured.
Are there benefits to moving away from Siloes?
Consider a manufacturing plant that functions like a well-oiled machine, with robots handling repetitive tasks, sensors monitoring equipment health, and real-time data guiding all decisions.
This is the reality of a smart factory, which provides abundant operational benefits. Automation driven by intelligent data analytics improves production by reducing interruptions through planned upkeep and minimizing waste with just-in-time material usage. This translates to a substantial process improvement, allowing for higher output and better overall quality.
A smart factory generates equally impressive financial gains. Reduced operational costs due to streamlined processes and reduced waste translate directly into higher profit margins. By adjusting production lines in real-time, businesses can launch products faster and better serve customers.
Manufacturers must shift their OT environments away from the outdated siloed model to remain relevant and competitive. Embracing technological advancements leads to faster innovation, more efficient production, and the potential for market disruption. Relying on out-of-date methods risks becoming irrelevant.
How do you provide the best protection?
Organizations must consider implementing the following proven best practices to protect their OT environments.
Continuous Cyber Risk Monitoring
It is like a persistent surveillance officer for your OT systems. It constantly scans for security flaws and assesses risks. This ongoing vigilance enables organizations to avoid digital assaults from threat actors, make informed security decisions, and comply with regulations.
On-Demand Risk Assessments
Unlike conventional IT risk evaluations, On-Demand OT risk assessments focus on the critical factory systems’ unique vulnerabilities in a timely and efficient manner. They swiftly discover weaknesses and gaps in the security of your OT environment by scanning remotely and using automated tools.
Zero-trust Protection for Remote Connections
This approach to external connections is more stringent for any remote user attempting to access your system. It’s like a constant identity check, with multi-factor authentication verifying devices’ security before granting access. But that is not all. Zero-trust also gives users the bare minimum of access required for their jobs, minimizing the potential damage caused by a compromised account.
Network Segregation
Dividing an OT networked system into granulated sections reduces the potential damage a breach could cause. Threat actors are restricted from accessing the entire network if the breach occurs in one network section.
Conclusion
Protecting your manufacturing operation extends beyond physical security. Your OT environment, with its interconnected equipment and digital access points, provides a vast cyber-attack surface for malicious actors to exploit. Do not wait for a cyber incident to wake you up. Act now to protect your OT environment and maximize the potential of your manufacturing operations in the digital era.
