Bridging separation to synergism: IT-OT integration boosts industrial cybersecurity resilience
In the rapidly evolving landscape of industrial operations, improving cybersecurity has become a top priority, especially with the increasing focus on critical infrastructure. A recent report suggests that over 76% of organizations in this sector have fallen victim to cyber-attacks [1]. To address this challenge, a collaborative approach between Operational Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT) teams is essential.
Traditional silos between these two teams must be broken down to create a unified approach. This collaboration is crucial due to common obstacles such as different products for IT and OT security, working with people with different backgrounds and objectives, and building new processes [2].
The best practices for achieving this collaborative approach include building cross-functional teams that bring together IT, OT, engineering, safety, and cybersecurity experts. Joint training, shared objectives, and coordinated incident response protocols foster communication and mutual understanding [1][2][3][5].
Establishing clear roles, responsibilities, and reporting lines with unified incident response plans and escalation procedures is also key. Shared playbooks and regular joint drills improve coordination and agility during cyber incidents [3].
Network segmentation is another best practice. This involves separating IT and OT environments using firewalls, Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs), and Demilitarized Zones (DMZs). This limits threat lateral movement and containment while enabling tailored security controls appropriate for OT systems [1][4].
Balancing patching and update strategies that consider OT uptime and operational continuity requirements is also important. Employing virtual patching and compensating controls for legacy OT assets where direct patching is risky or infeasible helps maintain stability [1][5].
Implementing strong access management, including multi-factor authentication (MFA), endpoint protection on both IT and OT devices, and strict control of remote or privileged access, is essential for safeguarding critical OT infrastructure [1][4].
Adopting a Zero Trust security model, where no device or user is trusted by default, requiring continuous monitoring, role-based access, and authentication of every interaction between IT and OT systems, is another best practice [1].
Establishing continuous real-time monitoring and visibility is also crucial. This can be achieved leveraging Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), OT-specific monitoring tools, and proactive threat intelligence integration to detect and respond to anomalies early [1][2][3].
Prioritizing risk management based on criticality by leveraging predictive technologies, vulnerability assessments, and a data-driven approach is another best practice. This helps focus defenses on threats with the highest impact on safety, availability, and confidentiality [2][4].
Fostering aligned cybersecurity governance with enterprise-level ownership of OT risks, integrating plant-level operations teams into security as a core objective, and converting cyber risks into financial terms to drive informed decision-making is also important [2].
Investing in skills and training that combine IT, engineering, and process safety expertise is necessary to ensure OT security professionals understand unique operational and safety requirements [4][5].
Encouraging innovation and continuous improvement, recognizing that IT/OT convergence and emerging technologies (IoT, industrial wireless, digital twins) present evolving security challenges requiring adaptive collaboration, is also key [4].
The process of integrating OT and IT security will require organizations to ensure they're choosing a solution that can provide both equally without compromising on either IT or OT security. Over 70% of respondents plan to consolidate IT and OT solutions from the same cybersecurity vendor [7].
Most respondents (79%) are certain that in the long-term, OT and IT security will be seamlessly integrated and managed by the same solutions [8]. Coordination between IT and OT teams is crucial for making integrated security policies, practices, and critical security purchase decisions [6].
The threat landscape for industrial operations is expanding as bad actors grow more sophisticated and newer technologies like 5G and the cloud are being adopted. A collaborative effort between OT and IT teams is necessary to strengthen security in industrial operations due to these evolving threats [2].
Sources: [1] https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/paloaltonetworks/global/documents/threat-intelligence/reports/2020/palo-alto-networks-unit42-advanced-threat-report-2020-1.pdf [2] https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/services/consulting/cybersecurity/publications/ot-security-cybersecurity-report.html [3] https://www.sans.org/cyber-security-resources/papers/collaboration-ot-it-teams-improving-ot-cybersecurity/ [4] https://www.isc2.org/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.aspx?id=14029 [5] https://www.isaca.org/resources/IT-Governance-and-Management/ITGM-Library/Cybersecurity-for-OT-industrial-control-systems [6] https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/it-ot-collaboration-key-to-improving-cybersecurity/ [7] https://www.darkreading.com/security/70-of-industrial-organizations-plan-to-consolidate-it-ot-security-solutions/d/d-id/1337440 [8] https://www.darkreading.com/security/most-industrial-organizations-plan-to-integrate-ot-it-security-in-the-long-term/d/d-id/1340370
In the collaborative approach between Operational Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT) teams, establishing clear roles and responsibilities, implementing strong access management, and adopting a Zero Trust security model are essential for safeguarding critical OT infrastructure. Network segmentation, particularly the use of firewalls, Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs), and Demilitarized Zones (DMZs), is another best practice for limiting threat lateral movement and containment while enabling tailored security controls appropriate for OT systems.
