Operational Technology

Operational Technology (OT) refers to the use of hardware and software solutions to monitor, control, or modify physical devices, processes, and events within a company or organization.

This technological specialization is most commonly used in industrial environments, and the devices it involves generally have greater autonomy than those used in Information Technology (IT).

Some examples of Operational Technology include Industrial Control Systems (ICS), which encompass various types of control processes and instruments used to supervise industrial operations.

SCADA systems (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition), used, for example, to control equipment in an industrial plant, are a type of OT closely related to ICS and are used to collect and analyze information in real time.

In an OT environment, ICS are often managed by SCADA systems, which provide users with a graphical interface that allows them to monitor the current state of the system, input adjustments to manage processes, and respond promptly to alarms indicating that something is wrong.

Additionally, OT relies on devices such as PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), which receive input from devices or sensors, process the data, and perform specific tasks such as monitoring machine productivity, tracking operating temperature, automatically stopping or starting processes, or triggering alarms, among other actions.

Access to OT devices is typically restricted to a small group of highly trained specialists within an organization. These devices are also rarely updated or replaced over long periods and often require customized software to function.

IT vs OT

In general, the term Information Technology (IT) is widely recognized and associated with the business environment.

Information Technology is related to the use of software, hardware, and telecommunications equipment for storing, protecting, retrieving, and processing electronic data.

Traditionally, IT and OT have played fairly separate roles within an organization. However, with the emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT), Industry 4.0, and IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things), which involve integrating complex physical machinery with sensors and networked software, the lines between these two domains are becoming increasingly blurred.

One of the main reasons industrial systems and devices are being brought online is to enable intelligent analytics, using data generated by machines to modify and optimize manufacturing processes.

Digital innovation requires operational technology systems to interact with information technology systems. OT network components such as PLCs, SCADA, and industrial networks are now connecting to IT components like processors, storage, and system management tools. With IT/OT integration, data collected from physical equipment and IIoT devices can be used to identify issues or improve efficiency.

This convergence of OT and IT has led to greater connectivity and integration, which is highly beneficial for intelligent analytics and control. However, more connections and networked devices also mean more opportunities for security vulnerabilities.

While cybersecurity has traditionally been a priority for IT and OT environments separately, integrated environments introduce new scenarios and risk profiles for both.

Security Risks in OT

When thinking about cybersecurity, organizations tend to focus almost exclusively on Information Technology (IT), that is, on protecting infrastructure dedicated to data transfer, storage, and processing, typically connected to the internet and therefore a primary target for cyberattacks.

As industry becomes increasingly digital, attacks targeting Operational Technology are rising significantly, directly impacting control over the physical world.

The security approach in OT is very different from that in traditional IT. OT focuses on uptime and availability, while IT focuses on protecting data. In this sense, OT networks tend to have relatively static usage patterns, compared to the more dynamic and changing usage in IT environments.

Because OT historically relied on proprietary communication protocols, it lacks a standardized set of security tools and techniques like those available in IT, such as antivirus software, firewalls, and endpoint, network, and server protection systems.

OT assets also have a much longer lifecycle than IT equipment, and their security considerations differ:

• Physical risks: threats to physical security are not new for OT teams, as closed environments have long implemented safety measures in industrial systems. However, connecting machinery and control systems online introduces the risk of hacking, potentially causing accidents such as overheating or failure to execute emergency procedures.
• Productivity and quality control: losing control of manufacturing processes or industrial devices is considered a critical incident. In a connected scenario, a malicious remote attacker could halt production entirely or reprogram assembly processes to skip steps, leading to defective products that could harm end users.
• Data breaches: while data leaks have long been a major concern in IT, they are relatively new in OT, which traditionally operates in closed systems. Given the nature of industrial sectors such as utilities, aviation, and automotive manufacturing, ensuring the privacy of transmitted data is essential.

OT Protection

Since OT equipment and IIoT devices often rely on traditional IT security, networks must be secured to prevent cybercriminals from accessing these devices.

To achieve consistent and effective IT and OT security, it is necessary to:

• Detect any device connected anywhere within IT and OT networks, determine its security status, and establish continuous monitoring to maintain high trust levels.
• Define the attack surface and ensure that active devices (such as routers and switches) and network traffic are appropriate. Traffic visibility and the specification of allowed ports, protocols, applications, and services ensure both vertical and horizontal protection.
• Encrypt all communications with OT devices to ensure data privacy.
• Control access to each OT system through multi-factor authentication, ensuring that only authorized individuals have appropriate permissions. Network micro-segmentation and automatic quarantine mechanisms help minimize damage.
• Continuously analyze the behavior of devices within OT networks to understand what is happening, who is involved, where, when, and how events occur within industrial infrastructure.

Currently, a proactive approach and the use of Threat Intelligence platforms in integrated IT/OT environments enable rapid and automated responses to cyber threats across industrial and smart city environments.

In general, OT systems require resilience, reliability, and security. Therefore, operational technologies must be strengthened, while organizations, providers, and stakeholders must collaborate to fully understand risks and how to mitigate them, as well as define standards that address both OT and IT needs at an international level.

Protelion offers solutions for OT protection, ranging from Threat Management Systems such as Protelion TD&R to specialized solutions for industrial environments like Protelion Industrial Security, used by companies in sectors such as electricity generation and oil and gas production.