IT/OT Convergence and Cybersecurity Implications
IT/OT Convergence and Cybersecurity Implications
The convergence of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) is a transformative force in modern industrial processes. From smart factories leveraging real-time data analytics to utility companies adopting remote monitoring and control, the combined potential of IT and OT unlocks efficiencies and innovations.
But with this convergence comes a heightened vulnerability to cyber threats. The fusion of IT systems designed for data processing and communication with OT systems anchored in the control and automation of physical processes poses a unique set of challenges. Here’s an overview of the specific cybersecurity implications of IT/OT convergence and some tips to bolster security in these interconnected environments.
Historical Separation and the Evolving Intersection of IT and OT
Historically, IT and OT were siloed, and separated due to a combination of technological, operational, and cultural reasons. IT departments prioritize data protection, confidentiality, regulatory compliance, and system upgrades. OT personnel focus on ensuring uptime, maintaining continuous production, and avoiding any disruptions that might impact physical processes.
However, with the emergence of digital transformation strategies and the push for smart systems—from smart grids to intelligent manufacturing—the boundaries between IT and OT began to blur. This convergence ushered in benefits but also introduced new cybersecurity challenges.
The Drive Towards IT/OT Convergence
So, why even bring these disparate domains of technology into closer alignment? Increased convergence stems from a broader wave of digital transformation and the onset of the Industry 4.0 revolution.
Digital transformation integrates digital technologies into various business processes (including manufacturing and industrial operations) to alter how businesses operate and deliver value to their customers. Industry 4.0 leverages data from smart systems and internet-connected machinery to optimize operations and facilitate more automation. Both of these wider strategies incentivize manufacturers to bring IT and OT into closer alignment to remain competitive, innovate, and respond to changing market dynamics.
Among the many benefits of this drive towards IT/OT convergence are greater efficiency, real-time analytics that fuel data-driven decision-making on the production floor, and remote monitoring. Reflecting this drive towards greater connectivity, the IT/OT convergence market is projected to grow to $280.66 billion by 2030 at an annual growth rate of 14.3%. The caveat is that all of these benefits come with a potential downside if the cybersecurity implications aren’t addressed.
Cybersecurity Implications of IT/OT Convergence
One of the primary concerns of IT/OT convergence is the expanding attack surface. With IT systems historically designed for data integrity and confidentiality, and OT systems engineered for availability, safety, and process continuity, their convergence has led to a broader interconnected network.
Devices that were once isolated or segmented are now exposed to a slew of potential threats via the internet or other network pathways. Even though this connectedness facilitates greater data flow and operational efficiency, it also provides threat actors with more potential entry points to exploit.
A related implication of convergence is the introduction of new threat vectors. Vulnerabilities inherent to IT systems are now able to directly affect OT environments. For example, malware that was previously constrained to causing data breaches in an IT environment could potentially jump over and disrupt industrial control systems.
Instead of mere data loss, the risks extend to physical damages, downtime, and safety hazards. These risks explain why operators of The Colonial Pipeline shut the entire pipeline down promptly in 2021 after discovering someone hacked into a VPN account on the IT side.
On the flip side, OT systems that lack regular updates due to uptime requirements can become weak points that adversaries exploit to gain access to IT networks and sensitive data.
Challenges of Securing Legacy Operational Systems
The convergence of IT and OT also presents the monumental challenge of securing legacy operational systems. These systems are often foundational to industrial or manufacturing operations, and they bring with them a unique set of security challenges.
Inherent vulnerabilities: A significant challenge with legacy systems is that many were architected and implemented at a time when today's cybersecurity threats were inconceivable. These systems often contain fundamental vulnerabilities. As recently as 2023, reports emerged about a serious flaw in Siemens S7-1500 PLCs that exposed those systems to malicious firmware.
Lack of upgradability: Aging hardware and software components in legacy systems are often resistant to or incompatible with any upgrades. Even when vulnerabilities are identified in legacy systems, they can't always be fixed through patches or updates.
Limited visibility: Modern cybersecurity practices emphasize the importance of visibility and continuous monitoring. However, older OT systems were not often designed with those capabilities. The absence of sophisticated monitoring in legacy systems hampers the ability to detect, analyze, and respond to security anomalies in real time.
Incompatibility issues: As the cybersecurity field evolves, new tools, solutions, and protocols emerge that address emerging threats. However, these modern solutions may not always be compatible with dated OT systems, which further complicates the task of securing them.
Skills gap: As technology has evolved, so too have the skill sets required to manage and secure systems. IT professionals might not be familiar with the nuances and idiosyncrasies of older OT systems. OT experts might also lack knowledge about modern IT-based threats and security practices. This skills gap can lead to overlooked vulnerabilities and inefficiencies in security defenses.
Strategies to Secure Converged Environments
In light of the challenges posed by legacy operational systems and converged IT/OT environments, here are some tips to bolster defenses.
Network Segmentation
One of the most effective methods to enhance the security of legacy OT systems is through network segmentation. By isolating critical OT systems from broader IT networks, potential threats that may exploit IT vulnerabilities can be kept at bay. The objective is to prevent threats from jumping across to the OT side.
Effective segmentation ensures that even if a threat compromises one section of the network, it cannot easily propagate to other critical areas. Converged Plantwide Ethernet (CPwE) from Rockwell Automation is a notable secure network architecture specifically designed to address the challenges of IT/OT convergence.
A so-called industrial demilitarized zone (iDMZ) provides a buffer zone between the industrial and enterprise zones of a converged network. This segregation ensures that data can be securely exchanged between the plant floor (OT) and business systems (IT) without exposing the operational systems to potential threats from the enterprise network or the broader internet.
Other reference architectures and models to consider include the Purdue model, zero trust network architecture, or the zones and conduits approach recommended by the IEC 62443 standard for industrial network security.
Continuous Monitoring and Anomaly Detection
Legacy OT systems may lack inherent monitoring capabilities, but continuous monitoring or AI-based anomaly detection tools can compensate. These tools oversee network traffic and system behaviors and flag any anomalies that might indicate a breach or malicious activity. Using continuous monitoring and anomaly detection along with a robust incident response plan helps rapidly identify and neutralize threats.
Incorporating Cybersecurity Best Practices
Both IT and OT environments should consistently follow established best practices, including regular security audits, vulnerability assessments, strict access controls, and employee training. Ensuring that these practices span the breadth of your organization’s technology environments provides a layered defense against potential cyber threats.
Phased Upgrades or Replacements
While the immediate replacement of all legacy systems may not be feasible for many organizations due to cost, operational disruptions, or other constraints, a phased approach is worth considering. By prioritizing the upgrade or replacement of the most vulnerable first, you can methodically and progressively enhance OT security. Phased transitions should be strategically planned to ensure smooth integrations with newer IT/OT environments.
Attack Simulation Exercises
To truly understand the vulnerabilities and potential points of exploitation in a converged IT/OT environment, it’s essential to conduct regular attack simulation exercises. These controlled live-fire exercises involve simulating cyberattacks against your emulated network and systems to identify weak points and test the effectiveness of existing security measures.
By actively attempting to exploit both IT and OT systems in a safe environment, these simulations can provide invaluable insights into potential attack vectors, areas of weakness, and the effectiveness of incident response protocols. They also provide context for both security teams and help them learn to speak the same language. Furthermore, attack simulation exercises offer a practical, hands-on approach for training personnel and overcoming the skills gap that weakens security in converged environments.
Cloud Range Live-Fire Cyber Simulation
As the convergence of IT and OT becomes increasingly integral to modern infrastructural and industrial operations, so does the urgency of addressing the cybersecurity challenges of this convergence.
Cloud Range for Critical Infrastructure provides a controlled environment for live-fire cyber ranges tailored to IT, OT, IoT and converged attack scenarios. By emulating both IT and OT networks, Cloud Range uniquely positions cybersecurity and incident response teams to handle threats and improve defenses. We map attack scenarios to the MITRE ATT&CK Framework for Industrial Control Systems (ICS) for more realistic exercises that reflect real-world attacks on converged environments.
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