Chris Kaffer

Category: Operational Technology

  • Top 5 OT Security Topics Businesses Should Focus on in 2025

    Top 5 OT Security Topics Businesses Should Focus on in 2025

    Operational technology (OT) security is becoming more challenging as the world becomes increasingly interconnected. The systems we rely on for manufacturing, utilities, and critical infrastructure weren’t designed for today’s cybersecurity threats. While that creates challenges, it also gives us a clear path forward: adapt, prepare, and build resilience.

    Cyber threats aren’t going away. The question isn’t if your organization will face them—it’s whether you’re ready when they come. Here are five key areas to focus on in 2025 to help secure your OT environment.

    1. Enhance Endpoint Visibility and Risk Management

    OT endpoints—such as industrial PCs, HMIs, and IoT devices—are frequent targets for attackers. Many of these systems weren’t built for modern cybersecurity, and they lack the ability to support traditional EDR tools. This makes visibility and risk management critical.

    What you can do:

    • Deploy Endpoint Visibility Tools: Solutions like Nozomi Guardian, Dragos Platform, or Kaspersky Industrial CyberSecurity (KICS) provide telemetry and monitoring for OT endpoints, helping you detect risks before they escalate.
    • Build an Asset Inventory: Use platforms like Claroty CTD or Microsoft Defender for IoT to track all OT endpoints and prioritize their risks.
    • Focus on Patching and Configuration: Even if you can’t patch immediately, ensure systems are configured securely and limit access to critical assets.

    Improving endpoint visibility and managing risks effectively strengthens your entire OT security posture. For more foundational strategies, check out my article on active and passive monitoring for OT environments, which provides insights on how these techniques can enhance endpoint visibility.

    2. Build a Culture of Zero Trust

    In OT environments, trust isn’t an option. The “never trust, always verify” principle of Zero Trust is a must. This approach ensures that every user, device, and action in your system is treated with the same level of scrutiny.

    Key actions:

    • Segment Networks: Divide your OT systems into zones to prevent attackers from moving laterally.
    • Enforce Strict Access Controls: Require multifactor authentication and granular permissions for every user and device.

    Zero Trust isn’t just a toolset; it’s a mindset that helps build a more secure and resilient environment.

    3. Proactively Assess Cyber-Physical Risks

    Cyber-physical systems—where digital and physical processes meet—are prime targets for attackers. To protect these systems, you need a proactive approach that identifies and mitigates vulnerabilities before they’re exploited.

    Steps to take:

    • Conduct Regular Assessments: Evaluate systems frequently for vulnerabilities.
    • Leverage Digital Twins: Simulate your systems in a controlled environment to find potential weaknesses.

    Risk assessments are about being proactive rather than reactive, ensuring you’re ready for what’s next.

    4. Strengthen Supply Chain Security

    Your supply chain is critical to your operations, but it’s also a significant vulnerability. Every supplier, vendor, and third-party component adds another potential risk to your OT environment.

    What you can do:

    • Vet Your Vendors: Set clear security expectations and enforce them consistently.
    • Use SBOM Tools: Implement software bills of materials to track every component in your supply chain.

    By securing your supply chain, you reduce risks that are often overlooked but could have major consequences.

    5. Prepare for the Worst: Incident Detection and Response

    Incidents will happen—it’s inevitable. What matters most is how well your organization is prepared to respond.

    Instead of building a separate SOC for OT, integrate OT expertise into your existing security operations center (SOC) to streamline and strengthen your response capabilities.

    How to prepare:

    • Leverage AI and Automation: Use tools to monitor systems in real-time and detect anomalies.
    • Test Your Response Plans: Run regular drills to ensure your team knows what to do in case of an incident.

    The better your preparation, the faster and more effectively you can respond when something goes wrong.

    Bonus: Invest in OT Cybersecurity Training

    No system or tool can replace the importance of a well-trained team. As OT and IT continue to converge, investing in training equips your people with the knowledge and skills to navigate unique OT challenges confidently.

    What to prioritize:

    • Hands-On Training: Programs like CISA’s Advanced 301 training provide real-world experience in OT security, helping teams understand how to protect critical systems.
    • Bridging IT and OT Skills: Traditional IT teams often need training on OT-specific risks, protocols, and devices to work effectively in these environments.
    • Continuous Learning: Encourage ongoing education to ensure your team stays ahead of emerging threats. My article on OT training credentials explores whether certifications are necessary or if practical skills should take priority.

    When your team is empowered with the right knowledge and skills, they become your greatest asset in defending critical systems against evolving threats.

    Conclusion

    OT security will always have its challenges, but those challenges give us opportunities to grow stronger. By focusing on endpoint visibility, Zero Trust, proactive risk assessments, supply chain resilience, and incident response, you build a foundation of security that can stand up to the evolving threat landscape.

    Add to that a commitment to training and empowering your team, and you’re not just securing your systems—you’re preparing your organization to thrive, no matter what comes next.

    The threats are out there. The question is: will you be ready? Start taking steps today to protect what matters most.

    Resources

    CISA Training: https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/training

    Nozomi Network’s Guardian: https://www.nozominetworks.com/products/guardian

    Dragos ICS Technology: https://www.dragos.com/

    Kaspersky ICS: https://www.kaspersky.com/enterprise-security/industrial-cybersecurity

  • Active and Passive Network Monitoring in OT Environments

    Active and Passive Network Monitoring in OT Environments

    Operational Technology (OT) environments are the backbone of industrial systems, encompassing everything from manufacturing plants to energy grids. Monitoring these environments is critical for maintaining security, reliability, and operational efficiency. Two common approaches for network monitoring in OT environments are active monitoring and passive monitoring. Both methods have their merits and challenges, and selecting the right approach often depends on the specific needs and constraints of the environment.

    Active Network Monitoring

    Active network monitoring involves sending probes or test packets into the network to assess its performance, availability, and security. This approach is often used to simulate network behavior and detect anomalies.

    Pros of Active Monitoring:

    • Real-Time Insights: Active monitoring provides immediate feedback on network performance and potential issues.
    • Detailed Diagnostics: Enables granular troubleshooting by actively querying devices and systems.
    • Proactive Issue Detection: Can simulate attack scenarios or performance bottlenecks to identify vulnerabilities before they become critical.

    Cons of Active Monitoring:

    • Network Disruption Risks: Injecting additional traffic may cause latency or interfere with time-sensitive OT processes.
    • Complex Deployment: Requires careful configuration to avoid unintended consequences in sensitive OT systems.
    • Limited Scalability: Active monitoring can become resource-intensive in large-scale environments.

    Risks Associated with Active Monitoring:

    • Operational Impact: Poorly designed monitoring could inadvertently disrupt industrial processes.
    • Security Risks: Malicious actors could exploit active monitoring tools or traffic as an attack vector.
    • Compliance Challenges: Some industries have strict guidelines on allowable network traffic within OT environments.

    Passive Network Monitoring

    Passive monitoring involves capturing and analyzing existing network traffic without injecting any additional packets. This method is often favored for its non-intrusive nature.

    Pros of Passive Monitoring:

    • Non-Disruptive: By only observing existing traffic, passive monitoring minimizes the risk of interfering with critical OT operations.
    • Broad Visibility: Provides a holistic view of network behavior over time.
    • Scalability: Can be more easily scaled across large environments without adding additional load to the network.

    Cons of Passive Monitoring:

    • Limited Real-Time Insights: Since it relies on analyzing existing traffic, passive monitoring may not detect issues as they happen.
    • Blind Spots: If certain network segments are idle or underutilized, they may not generate sufficient data for analysis.
    • High Data Volume: Requires significant storage and processing capabilities to analyze captured traffic effectively.

    Risks Associated with Passive Monitoring:

    • Delayed Detection: Slow-moving or stealthy threats may go unnoticed until significant damage is done.
    • Data Privacy Concerns: Capturing all traffic may expose sensitive information to unauthorized access.
    • Complex Analysis: Requires advanced tools and expertise to interpret the captured data accurately.

    Choosing the Right Approach

    The choice between active and passive monitoring in OT environments depends on several factors, including:

    1. Operational Sensitivity: Highly sensitive systems may favor passive monitoring to avoid disruptions. Read more about scanning in OT Environments in and article written by Zane Blomgren on Automation.com here.
    2. Regulatory Compliance: Industry regulations may dictate which monitoring methods are permissible.
    3. Threat Landscape: Active monitoring may be better suited for environments facing advanced persistent threats (APTs).
    4. Resource Availability: Passive monitoring may be ideal for environments with limited bandwidth or processing capacity.
    5. Use Case: Proactive threat hunting or troubleshooting may necessitate active monitoring, while long-term trend analysis is better suited to passive approaches.

    Hybrid Monitoring: Combining the Best of Both Worlds

    In many cases, a hybrid monitoring strategy that leverages both active and passive methods can provide a balanced approach. For example:

    • Use passive monitoring for continuous traffic analysis and baseline creation.
    • Deploy active monitoring during scheduled maintenance windows or for targeted diagnostics.

    By combining these approaches, organizations can achieve a more comprehensive security posture while minimizing risks. Read more about how each approach has it’s place in a comprehensive cybersecurity approach in Patrick Gebhardt’s post on Cybersecurity for OT networks: navigating the digital landscape.

    Conclusion

    Active and passive network monitoring each have distinct advantages and drawbacks. When monitoring OT environments, understanding the trade-offs and potential risks associated with each method is crucial. By tailoring the approach to the specific needs of the environment and adopting a hybrid strategy when appropriate, organizations can enhance their ability to detect threats, ensure compliance, and maintain operational efficiency.

  • CISA.gov’s Free ICS Cybersecurity Training

    CISA.gov’s Free ICS Cybersecurity Training

    As someone working in the cybersecurity field, particularly with industrial control systems (ICS), I’ve always been on the lookout for training programs that offer real-world value. One of the best resources I’ve come across is the free ICS Cybersecurity Training offered by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Whether you’re new to ICS cybersecurity or looking to deepen your expertise, CISA’s training options are an excellent resource.

    About CISA’s ICS Training Program

    CISA’s ICS Cybersecurity Training Program is designed to improve the security of critical infrastructure by educating professionals about the unique challenges and threats facing operational technology (OT) environments. The training is free, making it accessible to anyone looking to bolster their skills without financial barriers.

    Course Offerings

    CISA offers both online and in-person courses that cater to different levels of expertise:

    1. Online Training
    • Self-paced courses that cover foundational topics like ICS basics and cybersecurity principles.
    • Available through the CISA ICS Training Page.
    1. In-Person Training
    • Hands-on sessions hosted in Idaho Falls by the Idaho National Laboratory (INL).
    • Focused on immersive learning with real ICS systems.

    Popular courses include:

    • ICS Cybersecurity 101: An introduction to ICS and fundamental cybersecurity concepts.
    • Intermediate Cybersecurity for ICS: Covers network defense and secure configurations.
    • Advanced ICS Cybersecurity (301): Includes malware analysis, threat hunting, and Red Team/Blue Team exercises.

    My Experience with the Advanced ICS Cybersecurity (301) Course

    I had the privilege of completing the Advanced ICS Cybersecurity (301) course in person. Here’s what stood out:

    • Hands-On Exercises: The course provided an opportunity to work with actual ICS equipment, simulating realistic attack scenarios. This practical experience was invaluable in understanding how threats manifest in OT environments.
    • Expert Guidance: The training staff at INL were exceptional. Their depth of knowledge and ability to translate complex concepts into actionable insights were unparalleled. Beyond the curriculum, their real-world experience and passion for ICS security made the sessions engaging and highly informative.
    • Red on Blue Exercises: The course culminated in a dynamic Red Team/Blue Team exercise, allowing participants to test their skills in detecting, responding to, and mitigating simulated attacks. This interactive component was both challenging and rewarding, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and strategy.

    This course gave me a deeper appreciation for the complexities of ICS environments and how critical it is to tailor cybersecurity strategies to these systems. It’s an experience I’ll delve into further in a future post, so stay tuned!

    Why You Should Enroll

    If you’re a cybersecurity professional, engineer, or anyone responsible for securing critical infrastructure, here’s why you should consider CISA’s ICS training:

    1. No Cost: These courses are completely free, making high-quality training accessible to all.
    2. Industry-Relevant Skills: Learn skills directly applicable to protecting ICS environments in sectors like energy, water, and manufacturing.
    3. Flexible Options: Start with online training at your own pace, then consider applying for in-person courses to gain hands-on experience.
    4. Credibility: Training from CISA, a trusted authority in cybersecurity, enhances your professional knowledge and credibility.

    Getting Started

    To enroll, visit the CISA ICS Training Page and browse their course catalog. For in-person courses like the 301, you may need to apply and obtain approval, so plan ahead.

    Final Thoughts

    CISA’s ICS Cybersecurity Training Program is an incredible resource for professionals looking to enhance their skills and better protect critical infrastructure. Completing the Advanced ICS Cybersecurity (301) course in Idaho Falls was a transformative experience for me, providing both knowledge and practical tools to tackle OT security challenges. I highly recommend checking it out and investing time in this training—it’s worth it!

    Be on the lookout for a future post where I’ll take a deeper dive into the 301 course, breaking down the lessons learned and insights gained.