CPS Security CISO Report: Key Insights & Best Practices

Enterprise security teams encounter significant obstacles in protecting their essential operational technology (OT) infrastructure. Key issues involve limited visibility, unforeseen threats, and isolated data. Additionally, it is daunting to develop and sustain a forward-thinking, all-encompassing Cyber-Physical Security (CPS Security) strategy that spans various IT domains and assets. On top of this, CISOs are now tasked with safeguarding the entire cyberattack landscape, including critical OT devices integral to business operations.

In addition, OT systems are susceptible to attacks at numerous points. This exposure makes them vulnerable to cyberattacks that extend beyond known firmware or software security weaknesses. Each potential exposure point presents complex challenges, including improperly configured devices, network connections, insider threats, and vulnerabilities in the expansive supply chain. In other words, to grasp the complexity of these threats and implement effective CPS Security Solutions, OT operators must acknowledge these unconventional OT vulnerabilities to secure critical cyberphysical systems.

The State of OT, IoT, and CPS Security in 2024

OTORIO commissioned a survey in 2024 that involved 220 CISOs drawn from diverse industries. According to the survey results, operational environments are increasingly under attack, heightening concern among Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs). In the past year, 88% of security leaders reported experiencing moderate to severe business disruptions due to cyberattacks. Also, 75% of respondents expressed more significant worry about the OT threat landscape than a year ago.

The survey further revealed that the OT CPS Security threat landscape is rapidly changing, with 95% of companies experiencing a ransomware attack in the past year. Notably, 40% of these attacks targeted OT environments directly, without involving an IT component, underscoring the increasing direct risk to OT systems.

In response to these challenges, 45% of CISOs admitted to creating joint IT OT CPS Security task forces to bridge skill gaps and improve efficiency. But more importantly, 40% said they use CPS Security Solutions like exposure management, which indicates a notable shift towards a proactive OT security approach. Continuous Exposure Management is a practical approach for handling OT vulnerabilities, identifying risks within the OT environment, and prioritizing issues to allocate resources effectively, thereby preventing downtime or business disruption due to cyberattacks. The 2023 OTORIO survey found that only 18% of companies were utilizing Continuous Exposure Management at that time. Today, that figure has risen to 40%, reflecting a substantial increase in recognition of the unique needs of OT Cyber-Physical Security (CPS Security) management.

Understanding CPS Security: Trends and Challenges

Organizations responsible for critical infrastructure face challenges in balancing risk reduction with the complexities of securing OT environments. Here’s why:

Higher Impact Risk of OT Assets: OT assets pose a more significant impact risk due to their distinct nature and the critical environments in which they operate. If compromised, the consequences can be severe for CPS Security.

Difficulty in Identifying OT Assets: Identifying OT assets is notoriously challenging because they often use unique and proprietary communication protocols, are sensitive to network scanners and traffic they don’t recognize, and are generally inaccessible to standard organizational monitoring tools, complicating CPS Security efforts.

Tackling all OT vulnerabilities demands a detailed approach: Current CPS Security Solutions lack the precision to detect remediable weaknesses from an internal perspective and actionable attack vectors from an adversary’s viewpoint.

OT attack vectors require proactive validation: Verifying OT vulnerability exploitability necessitates an in-depth knowledge of the specific OT systems and networks, a factor usually omitted from known exposures or published vulnerabilities, emphasizing the need for tailored CPS Security Solutions.

OT security processes lack genuine mobilization. Although existing OT security solutions provide initial asset identification and mitigation tools, they often fail to genuinely activate a comprehensive CPS Security initiative.

The Role of IT-OT Convergence in CPS Security

IT-OT convergence is crucial in enhancing CPS Security by providing a comprehensive view of your attack surface and enabling your organization to understand its cyber risk, leading to more informed business decisions. Furthermore, integrating IT and OT systems provides a deeper insight into your attack surface. It can identify areas of highest risk, equipping your IT and security teams to address cyber threats from technical and business perspectives. Here are key reasons why IT-OT convergence is essential for CPS Security:

1.    Understanding OT Environment Exposure Through IT-OT Convergence

Effective exposure management in OT environments is foundational for CPS Security Solutions and begins with a thorough understanding of the attack surface and identification of exploitable entry points. Integrating IT and OT enables continuous inventory and monitoring of digital assets, such as servers, network devices, and cloud resources, facilitating continuous vulnerability detection, particularly with the increasing adoption of IoT and BYOD. Furthermore, physical assets, including sensitive areas and devices, require stringent access controls to prevent breaches that might impact the digital domain. Dependencies on third-party vendors and external entities also demand rigorous assessments and well-defined security protocols to manage external risks effectively. As OT environments evolve, IT-OT convergence provides a comprehensive exposure management strategy essential for effectively handling emerging threats within the CPS Security framework.

2.    Malicious Cyber Actors Through IT-OT Convergence

IT-OT convergence enables organizations to gain visibility into adversary tactics and leverage current cyber threat intelligence, which is critical for CPS Security. Understanding Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) through integrated systems reveals adversary behavior, allowing organizations to tailor their defense strategies effectively. Moreover, staying updated with real-time cyber threat intelligence from platforms, malware dumps, and exploit databases provides a contemporary view of threats. This integration helps organizations adjust their defenses against known and emerging vulnerabilities, enhancing CPS Security.

3.    Evaluating and Verifying CPS Security Measures Through IT-OT Convergence

Deploying security measures is only part of the solution in OT environments; verifying their effectiveness against real-world threats through IT-OT integration is crucial for comprehensive CPS Security Solutions. Regularly testing these measures through simulations that replicate adversary TTPs enables organizations to evaluate how well-prepared their defenses are for actual attack scenarios. Additionally, using integrated systems to assess security effectiveness with metrics such as prevention and detection outcomes provides a clear understanding of how well measures perform in practice, ensuring robust Cyber-Physical Security.

Best Practices for Enhancing CPS Security

Adopting a comprehensive approach integrating proactive and reactive measures across IT and OT systems enhances CPS Security. In particular, implementing a zero-trust architecture that assumes no implicit trust and continuously verifies every request to access systems and data is a proven best practice. This involves rigorous identity and access management (IAM), multi-factor authentication, and the principle of least privilege to minimize the potential attack surface.

Additionally, regular network segmentation can further isolate critical components of CPS, preventing the spread of potential threats and making it easier to manage security policies. Employing advanced threat detection systems that utilize machine learning and artificial intelligence helps identify anomalies and potential threats in real-time, allowing for quicker response and mitigation.

Moreover, conducting continuous risk assessments and vulnerability management is essential for identifying and managing risks in CPS environments, thus bolstering CPS security. Regularly scanning for vulnerabilities and ensuring timely patching of both software and firmware in CPS environments informs the required mitigation measures to address security threats. Also, integrating cyber threat intelligence into security operations helps stay informed about emerging threats and tactics used by adversaries, enabling the development of updated defense strategies.

Lastly, implementing incident response plans that include routine simulations and drills ensures that IT and OT teams are prepared to respond effectively to security breaches. Building a culture of security awareness through ongoing training and collaboration between IT and OT staff fosters a proactive stance towards protecting CPS against a diverse range of cyber threats, ultimately enhancing overall security resilience.

Manage Your Operational Exposure with OTORIO OT Security Solutions

Discover how OTORIO’s advanced OT security solutions can drive business excellence in your operational technology environment. By integrating operational context seamlessly through OTORIO’s plugin integrations, enhance your asset inventory management to ensure comprehensive visibility and control. Effectively manage vulnerabilities with OTORIO’s tailored approach, prioritizing critical risks and compliance to strengthen security measures. Furthermore, visualize and mitigate OT exposure points by leveraging data correlation and consolidation, empowering proactive risk management strategies. Additionally, IT and OT governance should be unified with OTORIO’s integrated framework, optimizing operational efficiency and resilience. Choose OTORIO to elevate your business capabilities, safeguard your operations, and navigate confidently through evolving cybersecurity challenges.