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operational nature. The primary objective is often a ransomware attack, as operational availability is paramount for production.
Bridging the communication gap
Effectively communicating the need for security investments to both operational staff and senior leadership is a significant hurdle, webinar participants agreed. On the factory floor, the priority is production and system availability, leading to staff perception of security measures as a hindrance among staff. It is critical to explain the‘ why’ behind security requirements and acknowledge the importance of availability in this context. Conversely, discussions with senior leadership and the board must be framed in terms of business risk. This involves detailing potential consequences, assessing likelihood, and using relatable industry examples of past incidents and their tangible impacts, including significant financial loss from outages and secondary damage to reputation and brand.
Regulations, while adding complexity, can also serve to underscore the necessity of security investments, particularly as reporting requirements increase. As one speaker advised, demonstrating understanding of the operational context and site specifics is vital for building trust and fostering a culture of reporting similar to existing safety protocols.
Strategies for detection, prevention, and response
Addressing these threats requires a layered approach. Foundational IT controls like email gateways and VPNs remain important, particularly as devices may traverse between IT and OT environments. In the OT space, agentless solutions are necessary, often involving monitoring network traffic flows using taps to detect anomalous behavior, with AI playing an increasing role in this analysis. Network segmentation is critical to limit lateral movement within the network. Secure remote access protocols and rigorous vetting of third-party vendor devices are also essential safeguards. Fundamentally, limiting unnecessary internet access from OT environments is a key control. 40