OT Network – Is Your Business Ready for Cyber Attacks?

A Ticking Time Bomb

Old systems and lack of security can lead to catastrophic consequences for your business. With the NIS2 directive as a catalyst, the time to act is now. Discover how you can protect your critical infrastructure and ensure seamless integration between IT and OT. Read on to find out how to avoid becoming the next victim!

In the shadow of constant advancements in traditional IT security, another often overlooked, but potentially far more critical infrastructure operates: the OT network (Operational Technology network). This network, which forms the foundation of industrial processes, production facilities, and critical infrastructure, is no longer immune to the cyber threats that have plagued the IT world for decades.

The OT network encompasses everything that is not traditional IT. It includes everything from PLCs in production networks to controllers in automated facilities—systems that have historically been governed by automation and often operated independently from IT infrastructure. These systems are vital for the functioning of modern societies and economies.

Old Equipment and Lack of Oversight

In Denmark, many production companies still operate with older OT equipment. The problem is not necessarily the age itself but the lack of understanding of the security implications that come with it. The attitude has often been characterized by “that’s how it’s always been,” without a real insight into the risks that accumulate over time.

Traditionally, IT departments have focused on their own domain, while expansions and changes in the factory environment have occurred separately. Often, IT’s role has been to provide a wireless network (WLAN) without deeper integration or understanding of the unique requirements and risks in the OT environment.

 

NIS2: A Call to Action

The primary driver behind the increased focus on OT security today is the NIS2 directive. This legislation creates a compliance necessity to secure OT networks. Companies that have so far neglected OT security now face a requirement to get their systems in order. For many, this means a new and potentially complex task.

Read more about NIS2 and Network here.

The Solution: Bridging IT and OT

At NetNordic, we understand the business needs and the unique challenges of managing both IT and OT infrastructure. Our consultants and solutions ensure a seamless transition and integration between the two worlds. We recognize that OT systems require robust, “ruggedized” components and an approach that considers operational continuity.

Our OT module, integrated into our Security Network Service (SNS), allows us to manage the security for all our customers — both in IT and OT environments—from a single platform.

From Foreign Land to Familiar Territory

While IT professionals typically have full oversight of their network, the OT landscape is often a “foreign land” to them. Therefore, it is crucial to take control, and this means that OT specialists must have insight into what is happening in their network, know the protocols, and understand how the various devices communicate.

The path to a fully secured OT network can seem long and complex. One can aim for an ideal 100% closed and micro-segmented network, but for many, this is a significant investment and potentially very invasive in existing infrastructure.

A more pragmatic approach is to start with the “low-hanging fruit”—the security measures that provide quick and noticeable improvements with relatively limited effort. From there, one can gradually move towards more comprehensive micro-segmentation, but it requires a deep understanding of the network, which manufacturers do not necessarily always have. However, it is different when we talk about new facilities. With new construction, there is a unique opportunity to do things right from the start and design a secure OT network from the ground up.

Collaboration is Key

An effective strategy for OT security requires close collaboration and dialogue with both internal teams and external suppliers. Hiring a consultant can be a good first step, but it must be a partnership where the company’s own knowledge of the processes is combined with external expertise.

Securing the OT network is not a quick fix but a necessary journey. It requires a mandate from management, a lot of dialogue, and an acknowledgment that “that’s how it’s always been” is no longer a sustainable strategy.

With NIS2 as a catalyst, the time is now to take the first steps towards a more secure and robust OT environment. At NetNordic, we are here to help you navigate this complex landscape and bridge the gap between IT and OT, so your company can continue to operate safely and efficiently in the future.