Fulfilling the unique requirements of OT environments is a challenging task for traditional Security Operations Centers (SOCs). With cyber threats increasingly targeting these critical systems, the need for specialized OT security has never been greater. But why are traditional SOCs not adequately aligned with OT? What makes OT security so different?
Working in Detection and Response is one of the most difficult roles in the cybersecurity industry. While the theories look good on paper, the reality in the workplace is a different story. It is a world full of uncertainty and ambiguity. The cybersecurity community has realized over the years that OT security is a very different challenge that requires a new way of thinking. As threats become more sophisticated and increasingly target cyber-physical systems, it becomes clear that security operations in OT need innovation.
1. The challenge of converged IT and OT data.
The mismatch between OT and IT security stems from the convergence of IT and OT systems in modern industrial environments. Centralizing all IT and OT alerts into a single Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system seems like a good idea. After all, most cyber attacks target an IT component. While OT may not be the primary target, it can still suffer the consequences of a more uncontrolled IT attack.
However, interpreting OT alerts presents a complex challenge that often results in alerts being overlooked or inadequately investigated. This is especially the case with enterprise-level SOCs, including Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) and Managed Detection and Response (MDR) providers. With them, the number of daily alerts can reach thousands. This volume alone creates a strong tendency to minimize or ignore alerts, undermining the benefits of convergence. Ideally, SOCs should receive quality OT alerts, grouping different signals into a valuable insight. This provides a better understanding of how IT and OT interact, while also addressing potential OT threats more quickly.
2. IT detections and an OT network sensor are not enough
The mountain of data produced by SecOps tools can be overwhelming for security analysts and threat/incident responders. Adding an OT network sensor to your stack is not only insufficient; it can backfire. The additional data from these sensors can exceed the capacity of already overburdened teams. This makes it difficult for them to effectively contextualize and respond to alerts. Critical components, such as technical workstations, wireless IoT protocols and monitoring process anomalies, remain underexposed. This makes organizations vulnerable to attacks on their cyber-physical systems.
Securing OT environments must go beyond just traditional IT detection and network sensors. By implementing comprehensive OT security measures, SOCs gain valuable insights, rather than just raw data. This can significantly improve the quality and effectiveness of their security operations and lead to advances in their OT security strategies.
3. The critical role of knowledgeable personnel
Most MSSPs and internal SOCs have a background in IT. As a result, their tools, processes and technical expertise are founded on IT principles. This can lead to a situation where SOCs routinely forward alerts to OT teams without additional details. This makes it difficult to effectively address the specific needs of OT systems and infrastructure.
For OT engineers, the gap between IT and OT is wide. Requirements for availability, resilience and practicality are miles apart. Vendors and products must be incredibly specific. Without deep expertise in OT, it becomes impossible to interpret alerts, link them to relevant incidents and create response plans. Expert personnel have the specialized knowledge and skills needed for OT security. They work closely with OT engineers to accurately interpret alerts and effectively respond to threats.
4. Bridging the gap between IT and OT.
The unique challenges of OT risk detection and response require comprehensive, customized solutions. These differ from traditional SOCs in that they smoothly navigate OT environments and understand the unique security needs of industrial systems. From interpreting complex alerts to managing specialized workstations.
The right OT security solution helps SOCs filter out unnecessary noise and prioritize real insights. This reduces data overload, prevents misinterpretation of alerts and fully utilizes specialized personnel. Thus, your OT environments are protected from evolving cyber threats.
This is submitted contribution from SoterICS. For more information on their solutions, please visit here.