As cyberthreats continue to evolve, so do the means in which we confront them. SANS, a longstanding co-op for cybersecurity thought leadership and certification, recently conducted an ICS/OT survey across a wide array of industrial verticals ranging from energy, chemical, critical manufacturing, and nuclear, to water management and more to ascertain where these industries feel they stand when it comes to their ICS/OT cybersecurity coverage. Here are three takeaways from the survey results and download your copy of today.
Focus on Inventory/Asset Visibility
The number one item on the list of initiatives to act on in the next 18 months for over 41% of those surveyed, was to improve asset visibility. Having a solution in place that gives its operator a clear picture of what’s connected on your network, key information about the connected asset (country of origin, firmware, make and model, etc.), and threat level goes a long way in mitigating the risk of intrusion, but it is only the first step; don’t stop there. Look to deploy protective controls that lower risks and move further up the cybersecurity maturity curve.
Stay on Top of Transient Assets/Removable Media
While surprisingly low on the list of troublesome threat vectors in this survey, we know that transient assets and removable media present a sizeable risk – especially to those industries that require air-gapped networks for additional security. Implementing a solution that scans transient assets and removable media before they have the chance to interface with your company’s network is pivotal not only in keeping your facilities, employees, and customers secure, but also in staying up to date with the latest compliance regulations.
Proactive – Not Reactive
If there’s one final takeaway it’s that there’s no catchall when it comes to securing your ICS/OT environments, and that having a multi-faceted, proactive strategy is the most comprehensive approach to avoiding intrusions across all key threat vectors. Don’t wait until you’re actively facing a cyberthreat to act; have a plan in place with reliable and proactive preventative measures in action.
OPSWAT Solutions
OPSWAT’s MetaDefender OT Security, MetaDefender Kiosk, Vault, and Drive support a wide range of use cases and help mitigate the vulnerabilities discussed above. Talk to one of our experts today to schedule a free demo and learn how OPSWAT can protect you against cyberthreats.
