An actionable guide to
selecting the right OT security tools
An actionable guide to
selecting the right OT security tools
An actionable guide to
selecting the right OT security tools
Protecting your critical infrastructure, from manufacturing plants to power grids, is no longer just a best practice; it's a strategic imperative. But with so many solutions on the market, how do you choose the right ones? This guide will help you navigate the landscape and find the tools that deliver unmatched security and operational value.
Know your environment first: Visibility is key
Before you even consider an OT security tool, you must gain a complete understanding of your operational technology (OT) environment. This includes a detailed inventory of all assets, from PLCs and RTUs to sensors and control systems. You need to know:
What devices are connected to your network?
What operating systems and firmware are they running?
How are they communicating with each other and with your IT systems?
What is the patch status of the asset
Look for solutions that offer deep asset discovery (with asset characteristics) and network visibility. These tools should be able to passively monitor your network traffic without disrupting sensitive processes. They provide the foundational data you need to build a robust security strategy.
In sectors such as utilities and oil and gas getting asset visibility is not as simple as it seems. Only a mature and proven solution such as Shieldworkz NDR that is built for OT in critical infrastructure can deliver this capability.
Prioritize solutions built for OT, not just adapted from IT
There are many OT security tools out there that have been derived from or are based on IT security frameworks and approach and these just wont work for OT.
OT and IT environments have fundamentally different priorities. While IT focuses on confidentiality, OT prioritizes availability and safety above all else. A security tool that works in a corporate office might be too disruptive for a factory floor. When evaluating options, ask:
Does the solution use passive monitoring to avoid interfering with critical processes?
Does it understand OT-specific protocols like Modbus, DNP3, and PROFINET?
Can it detect and alert on changes in controller logic or firmware, which could indicate a malicious actor?
Can the solution offer a complete view of the network and assets?
Does the solution align with NIS2, IEC 62443 and NIST CSF standards?
Can the solution detect assets in a complex environment?
Can the solution integrate with a diverse set of tools?
The best OT security tools such as Shieldworkz are designed from the ground up for the unique challenges of operational environments. They don’t just detect generic anomalies; they understand the context of your industrial processes.
Look for actionable threat intelligence and automation
Having a thousand alerts a day is not a security solution, it’s a recipe for alert fatigue. The right OT security tools go beyond simple alerts. They should provide actionable intelligence that helps your team understand the severity and context of a threat. Look for features such as:
Threat intelligence feeds: OT-specific threat intelligence helps you stay ahead of attacks targeting industrial control systems. The tool should be able to detect complex attacks launched by APT groups and other sophisticated actors
Risk prioritization: The tool should automatically prioritize risks based on their potential impact on your operations, helping you focus on what matters most.
Automated playbooks: Automation can accelerate your response to an incident, reducing the time it takes to contain a threat and restore normal operations.
Volume of false positives: This is another indicator of OT security maturity of the tool
The best security tool is one your team can actually use. Choose a solution with a user-friendly interface that simplifies complex data. Also, think about scalability. As your operations grow and evolve, your security needs will too. The right tool should be flexible enough to protect a single site today and an enterprise-wide network tomorrow.
Selecting the right OT security tools is a strategic investment in the long-term resilience of your business. By focusing on visibility, OT-native design, actionable intelligence, and ease of use, you can build a security program that protects your critical assets, ensures business continuity, and gives you a competitive advantage.
Talk to us to learn more about how our OT security tool can help your business.
Contact Us today!
Protecting your critical infrastructure, from manufacturing plants to power grids, is no longer just a best practice; it's a strategic imperative. But with so many solutions on the market, how do you choose the right ones? This guide will help you navigate the landscape and find the tools that deliver unmatched security and operational value.
Know your environment first: Visibility is key
Before you even consider an OT security tool, you must gain a complete understanding of your operational technology (OT) environment. This includes a detailed inventory of all assets, from PLCs and RTUs to sensors and control systems. You need to know:
What devices are connected to your network?
What operating systems and firmware are they running?
How are they communicating with each other and with your IT systems?
What is the patch status of the asset
Look for solutions that offer deep asset discovery (with asset characteristics) and network visibility. These tools should be able to passively monitor your network traffic without disrupting sensitive processes. They provide the foundational data you need to build a robust security strategy.
In sectors such as utilities and oil and gas getting asset visibility is not as simple as it seems. Only a mature and proven solution such as Shieldworkz NDR that is built for OT in critical infrastructure can deliver this capability.
Prioritize solutions built for OT, not just adapted from IT
There are many OT security tools out there that have been derived from or are based on IT security frameworks and approach and these just wont work for OT.
OT and IT environments have fundamentally different priorities. While IT focuses on confidentiality, OT prioritizes availability and safety above all else. A security tool that works in a corporate office might be too disruptive for a factory floor. When evaluating options, ask:
Does the solution use passive monitoring to avoid interfering with critical processes?
Does it understand OT-specific protocols like Modbus, DNP3, and PROFINET?
Can it detect and alert on changes in controller logic or firmware, which could indicate a malicious actor?
Can the solution offer a complete view of the network and assets?
Does the solution align with NIS2, IEC 62443 and NIST CSF standards?
Can the solution detect assets in a complex environment?
Can the solution integrate with a diverse set of tools?
The best OT security tools such as Shieldworkz are designed from the ground up for the unique challenges of operational environments. They don’t just detect generic anomalies; they understand the context of your industrial processes.
Look for actionable threat intelligence and automation
Having a thousand alerts a day is not a security solution, it’s a recipe for alert fatigue. The right OT security tools go beyond simple alerts. They should provide actionable intelligence that helps your team understand the severity and context of a threat. Look for features such as:
Threat intelligence feeds: OT-specific threat intelligence helps you stay ahead of attacks targeting industrial control systems. The tool should be able to detect complex attacks launched by APT groups and other sophisticated actors
Risk prioritization: The tool should automatically prioritize risks based on their potential impact on your operations, helping you focus on what matters most.
Automated playbooks: Automation can accelerate your response to an incident, reducing the time it takes to contain a threat and restore normal operations.
Volume of false positives: This is another indicator of OT security maturity of the tool
The best security tool is one your team can actually use. Choose a solution with a user-friendly interface that simplifies complex data. Also, think about scalability. As your operations grow and evolve, your security needs will too. The right tool should be flexible enough to protect a single site today and an enterprise-wide network tomorrow.
Selecting the right OT security tools is a strategic investment in the long-term resilience of your business. By focusing on visibility, OT-native design, actionable intelligence, and ease of use, you can build a security program that protects your critical assets, ensures business continuity, and gives you a competitive advantage.
Talk to us to learn more about how our OT security tool can help your business.
Contact Us today!
Protecting your critical infrastructure, from manufacturing plants to power grids, is no longer just a best practice; it's a strategic imperative. But with so many solutions on the market, how do you choose the right ones? This guide will help you navigate the landscape and find the tools that deliver unmatched security and operational value.
Know your environment first: Visibility is key
Before you even consider an OT security tool, you must gain a complete understanding of your operational technology (OT) environment. This includes a detailed inventory of all assets, from PLCs and RTUs to sensors and control systems. You need to know:
What devices are connected to your network?
What operating systems and firmware are they running?
How are they communicating with each other and with your IT systems?
What is the patch status of the asset
Look for solutions that offer deep asset discovery (with asset characteristics) and network visibility. These tools should be able to passively monitor your network traffic without disrupting sensitive processes. They provide the foundational data you need to build a robust security strategy.
In sectors such as utilities and oil and gas getting asset visibility is not as simple as it seems. Only a mature and proven solution such as Shieldworkz NDR that is built for OT in critical infrastructure can deliver this capability.
Prioritize solutions built for OT, not just adapted from IT
There are many OT security tools out there that have been derived from or are based on IT security frameworks and approach and these just wont work for OT.
OT and IT environments have fundamentally different priorities. While IT focuses on confidentiality, OT prioritizes availability and safety above all else. A security tool that works in a corporate office might be too disruptive for a factory floor. When evaluating options, ask:
Does the solution use passive monitoring to avoid interfering with critical processes?
Does it understand OT-specific protocols like Modbus, DNP3, and PROFINET?
Can it detect and alert on changes in controller logic or firmware, which could indicate a malicious actor?
Can the solution offer a complete view of the network and assets?
Does the solution align with NIS2, IEC 62443 and NIST CSF standards?
Can the solution detect assets in a complex environment?
Can the solution integrate with a diverse set of tools?
The best OT security tools such as Shieldworkz are designed from the ground up for the unique challenges of operational environments. They don’t just detect generic anomalies; they understand the context of your industrial processes.
Look for actionable threat intelligence and automation
Having a thousand alerts a day is not a security solution, it’s a recipe for alert fatigue. The right OT security tools go beyond simple alerts. They should provide actionable intelligence that helps your team understand the severity and context of a threat. Look for features such as:
Threat intelligence feeds: OT-specific threat intelligence helps you stay ahead of attacks targeting industrial control systems. The tool should be able to detect complex attacks launched by APT groups and other sophisticated actors
Risk prioritization: The tool should automatically prioritize risks based on their potential impact on your operations, helping you focus on what matters most.
Automated playbooks: Automation can accelerate your response to an incident, reducing the time it takes to contain a threat and restore normal operations.
Volume of false positives: This is another indicator of OT security maturity of the tool
The best security tool is one your team can actually use. Choose a solution with a user-friendly interface that simplifies complex data. Also, think about scalability. As your operations grow and evolve, your security needs will too. The right tool should be flexible enough to protect a single site today and an enterprise-wide network tomorrow.
Selecting the right OT security tools is a strategic investment in the long-term resilience of your business. By focusing on visibility, OT-native design, actionable intelligence, and ease of use, you can build a security program that protects your critical assets, ensures business continuity, and gives you a competitive advantage.
Talk to us to learn more about how our OT security tool can help your business.