Operational Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT) convergence has altered industries globally. Undoubtedly, this integration has produced many advantages, but it has also made vital infrastructure vulnerable to new and emerging cyberthreats. Given that it is crucial to maintaining the dependability, security, and operation of vital systems, the significance of OT cybersecurity in this context cannot be overstated.

In a recent and alarming development, hackers have successfully breached the security of at least 22 Danish companies operating within the country's energy sector. This unprecedented cyber-attack, described by Denmark's CERT team for critical infrastructure (SektorCERT) as the largest in the nation's history, raises serious concerns about the vulnerability of essential services. According to the Danish Broadcasting Corporation (DR), the targeted companies are responsible forproviding electricity and heat to approximately 100,000 Danes, highlighting the potential scope of the impact. The detection of these intrusions was made possible through the diligent work of SektorCERT, which identified the security breaches using a network of sensors strategically deployed at electricity, heating, and water plants throughout Denmark. This incident underscores the critical importance of bolstering cybersecurity measures to safeguard the integrity and reliability of a nation's essential infrastructure. 

What is Operational Technology?

OT comprises the hardware, software, and networking components dedicated to monitoring and controlling physical industrial processes. This includes systems like SCADA, DCS, PLCs, IoT devices, and other interconnected technologies running critical infrastructure sectors like energy, water, manufacturing, and transportation.

Some key differences in OT systems compared to corporate IT networks include:

• Real-time control requirements rather than information processing
• Prioritisation of availability and continuity over confidentiality
• Much longer lifecycles of OT equipment spanning over a decade
• Usage of proprietary OT devices rather than open IT technologies
• Tight constraints in patching and upgrading OT systems without disrupting operations
• Time sensitivity with milliseconds mattering for OT response times

These differences make OT environments uniquely challenging for cybersecurity. The real-world impacts of an attack also amplify the risks exponentially.

Importance of OT Cybersecurity:

Protecting Critical Infrastructure: Critical infrastructure sectors like energy, transportation, water, and healthcare are reliant on OT systems. Should a cyberattack be successful against these systems, the effects could be extensive, affecting the organisation in question and the public safety and the economy.
Ensuring Operational Continuity: Continuous operations are critical in industrial environments. Cyberattacks on OT have the potential to cause financial losses and downtime, which can disrupt production processes. OT cybersecurity is essential for preserving operations and lowering the chance of interruptions.
Preserving Data Integrity: Massive volumes of data are generated and used by OT systems for control and decision-making. Cyberattacks with the intention of falsifying or altering this data have the potential to undermine industrial processes' integrity, resulting in incorrect decisions and possible safety risks.
Mitigating Safety Risks: OT regulates physical processes that have a direct bearing on worker safety in sectors like manufacturing, energy, and healthcare. Breach of OT security can lead to equipment failures, safety system malfunctions, and even worker injuries. Strong cybersecurity defenses are necessary to reduce these risks to public safety.
Addressing Regulatory Compliance: Strict regulatory frameworks requiring the implementation of cybersecurity measures apply to many industries. In addition to the legal consequences, non-compliance undermines stakeholders' and customers' confidence.

It is more important than ever to have strong OT cybersecurity, as the recent cyberattack on Denmark's energy sector highlights. Cyber Node provides the much-needed expertise for securing critical infrastructure against increasing attacks. We offer an advanced cybersecurity platform designed specifically for operational technology environments. We also offer proactive protection against the dynamic array of cyber threats, thanks to features like real-time threat detection, continuous monitoring, and adaptive response mechanisms. Contact us! We are here to help you with your OT cybersecurity.