Need for OT Security in Protecting Critical Infrastructure

With rapid technological advancements, integrating digital solutions into critical infrastructure has been transformative. The rise of Operational Technology (OT) security has enhanced efficiency, enabled predictive maintenance, and facilitated real-time monitoring across industries. However, as OT systems become more interconnected and accessible, the need for robust OT security has never been more pressing.

In this blog, we explore the operational technology landscape, uncover its security vulnerabilities, and discuss the importance of Privileged Access Management (PAM) as a critical layer of defence, among other key aspects.

The Rise of OT Technology

Operational Technology, often called the “industrial internet,” encompasses the hardware and software used to control and monitor physical devices, processes, and events. From power plants and manufacturing facilities to transportation systems and smart cities, OT technology ensures the smooth operation of critical infrastructure. This technology enables industries to collect and analyse data in real-time, resulting in improved decision-making and optimized performance.

What is OT Technology?

OT technology bridges the digital and physical worlds. It includes systems such as Industrial Control Systems (ICS), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), and Distributed Control Systems (DCS). These systems work together to manage industrial processes, monitor equipment, and maintain operational efficiency.

Examples of OT Technology Applications:

Energy Sector: Power plants rely heavily on OT systems to manage electricity generation, transmission, and distribution.

Manufacturing: The industry facilities use OT technology to control production lines, monitor equipment health, and optimise resource utilisation.

Transportation: Transportation networks, including railways and traffic control systems, utilise OT solutions to manage routes, schedules, and safety protocols.

Water Treatment: OT systems are critical in managing water treatment and distribution, ensuring the delivery of clean and safe drinking water to communities.

This surge in innovation has posed many challenges, particularly in the security realm.

The Need for OT Security

The vulnerabilities of OT technology are increasing, making it an attractive target for threat actors. Considering the importance of industrial process continuity, the value of trade secrets, and the potential public safety impacts of compromising critical infrastructure (CI), it’s no surprise that cyber attackers view industrial organizations as prime targets for espionage, financial gain, or cyberwarfare.

Recent OT Security Breaches

Oil India Limited Attack (2022)

On April 10, 2022, the PSU major Oil India Limited suffered a cyberattack that disrupted its operations in Assam, India. OIL received a ransom demand of USD 75,00,000 (over INR 57 crore) from the perpetrator.

The cyberattack occurred on one of OIL’s workstations in the Geological and Reservoir department, as the server, network, and clients’ PCs experienced a network outage.

Colonial Pipeline Attack (2021)

On April 29, 2021, the Colonial Pipeline, a U.S. oil pipeline network that originated in Houston, Texas, primarily responsible for transporting gasoline and jet fuel to the Southeastern region of the United States, fell victim to a ransomware attack.

The FBI attributed the attacks to the DarkSide hacking group. It was disclosed that hackers gained unauthorised access to Colonial Pipeline Co.’s networks by exploiting a virtual private network (VPN) account.

In response to this cyber threat, Colonial Pipeline Company suspended all pipeline operations, leading to significant disruptions for customers along the East Coast and airlines.

Given how critical service disruption on a large scale can be, OT security must be a top priority. But before we delve into the challenges pertaining to OT security (and how to deal with them),

IT Security and OT Security Aren’t the Same!

OT security prioritises safety over confidentiality, protecting physical assets, machinery, and personnel. Cyber attackers targeting OT aim to cause physical disruptions, whereas IT hackers seek valuable information. In OT, unauthorised access often occurs through vulnerable equipment, bypassing security.

For instance, a water bottling plant’s disruption could result in contaminated water reaching consumers, with severe consequences. Ultimately, OT security ensures operational continuity, while IT security protects data integrity and privacy.

A Comparison Between IT and OT Security

Aspect	Operational Technology (OT)	Information Technology (IT)
Purpose	Manages physical processes and operations (e.g., machinery, sensors).	Handles data processing and communication (e.g., servers, computers).
Primary Concern	Safety and continuous operation of industrial systems.	Confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data.
Security Focus	Protects physical assets and ensures operational continuity.	Protects data from unauthorised access and corruption.
Network Design	Often uses isolated, legacy systems with limited connectivity.	Connected, digital systems with high interactivity.
Vulnerability	Targeted by cyberattacks for physical damage or disruption.	Targeted for data breaches, malware, and ransomware attacks.
Response Time	Requires immediate response to prevent safety hazards or operational downtime.	May allow more time for response and recovery.
Threat Landscape	Focuses on attacks that disrupt physical operations (e.g., ransomware targeting SCADA systems).	Focuses on data-driven attacks (e.g., phishing, DDoS).
Regulatory Standards	Subject to industry-specific regulations (e.g., NIST, IEC 62443).	Governed by broader IT standards (e.g., GDPR, ISO/IEC 27001).
Security Measures	Often physical security controls alongside cybersecurity (e.g., air-gapping).	It relies more on firewalls, encryption, and access controls.
Updates & Patching	Difficult due to legacy systems, often requiring more manual oversight.	More frequent updates and patches, with automated tools.

Challenges Pertaining to OT Security

VPNs are commonly used for remote access but are insufficient for OT security, especially with privileged or third-party access. While they provide basic access to non-sensitive systems, VPNs lack the visibility, scalability, and granular access control needed for OT devices. This leaves OT systems vulnerable to cyber threats, particularly when securing remote connections to critical infrastructure. More specialised solutions are required to ensure comprehensive OT security.

Maintaining consistent efficiency and performance during peak system operation times is crucial in OT environments. Security measures must be implemented without compromising the operational integrity of these systems, ensuring that they continue to function optimally even during high-demand periods.

Many industrial systems require periodic vendor access for maintenance, updates, and troubleshooting. Unauthorised vendor access could lead to potential security breaches, so careful control and monitoring are necessary.

OT environments involve personnel with varying access levels. Balancing appropriate access without overprovisioning or unauthorised access is crucial for maintaining OT security and preventing vulnerabilities. Proper access control is essential to protect critical infrastructure.

OT systems often need to adhere to specific cybersecurity compliance standards. Ensuring compliance while maintaining the operational efficiency of the systems is a significant challenge.

So, then the question arises: what’s the solution to all this?

Privileged Access Management (PAM) as a Protection Layer

Amid the need for specialised measures for OT security, PAM emerges as a viable solution.

Here’s how PAM solutions enable the fine-tuning of user access and privileges. They offer granular access control, allowing administrators to define and enforce specific permissions for each user or group. This helps ensure that only authorised individuals can access critical systems and resources.

PAM solutions can be designed to accommodate many users and devices without compromising performance.

OT security requires balanced access control to prevent overprovisioning or unauthorised access. PAM solutions integrate seamlessly, using session monitoring, recording, isolation, and segmentation to ensure security without disrupting system performance or user activities, safeguarding critical infrastructure.

PAM solutions enhance OT security by offering secure privilege elevation and de-escalation for managing third-party and vendor access. Remote vendors can be granted temporary, just-in-time access to specific systems, with privileges automatically revoked after the session ends, reducing unauthorised access risks. Additionally, Multi-factor Authentication requires multiple verifications, providing extra layers of security for OT environments.

And lastly,

PAM solutions such as Sectona PAM often come with built-in features that aid in compliance with cybersecurity standards. OT security environments can maintain security and operational efficiency by aligning with relevant compliance standards.

Also Read: How does Privileged Access Management help the manufacturing industry?