In the Food Engineering article titled “How Does Your OT Cybersecurity Stack Up? Tips and Techniques for a Safer and More Secure Operation,” Matt Smith, a security engineer at E Tech Group, offers valuable insights into enhancing cybersecurity within Operational Technology (OT) environments.
Smith advocates for the implementation of the Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) framework, as outlined by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). ZTA emphasizes building security around devices and networks, including device authentication mechanisms. He suggests that manufacturers begin by identifying and categorizing their OT devices and networks to determine the appropriate level of access control and authentication. For centralized authentication and authorization, Smith recommends the use of Identity and Access Management (IAM) or Privileged Access Management (PAM) solutions. While many existing OT systems were not designed with security in mind, implementing ZTA and using IAM or PAM solutions can help manufacturers build robust authentication and authorization mechanisms into their OT networks.
Additionally, Smith highlights the importance of modern tools in detecting and tracking intruders within OT systems. He points out that tools such as east/west traffic monitoring, AI self-learning of network source and destination, application protocol and behavior tracking, device categorization, traffic normalcy checking, and communication baselining are essential in identifying new threats or even internal malicious activities. These tools provide a layered defense and visibility into networks, which is crucial in today’s threat landscape.
By adopting these strategies, manufacturers can significantly enhance the security of their OT environments, ensuring safer and more secure operations.
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