Industrial Control Systems (ICS) that monitor and control critical infrastructure are increasingly being connected to corporate networks and the internet for greater efficiency and visibility. However, this connectivity also exposes these systems, traditionally isolated from IT networks, to growing cyber threats. With more "Operational Technology " systems now online, ensuring their security is paramount to protect vital services and public safety.

The Importance of Operational Technology  Security
ICS manage complex operations across many industries like manufacturing, energy, utilities, transportation and more. An attack could disrupt important services or even endanger human life. As Operational Technology  technologies evolve from proprietary protocols to standardized IT-based ones, they have also become targets for cybercriminals. It is crucial for organizations to implement focused security strategies for these operational networks running critical infrastructure.

Threat Landscape for Operational Technology
Cybercriminals have taken notice of ICS as potentially high-impact targets. According to various reports, over 4 billion records were exposed in breaches from unsecured industrial systems in the past two years. State-sponsored hacking groups also actively scan for vulnerable Operational Technology  networks to potentially cause physical damage or disruption through cyber means. Common attack vectors seen include phishing targeting control engineers, exploiting remote access vulnerabilities and malware designed to sabotage industrial processes. The Stuxnet worm, which damaged Iranian nuclear centrifuges over a decade ago, demonstrated that well-resourced attackers have the capabilities and intentions to target Operational Technology  environments.

Securing the Perimeter
As traditional IT security controls are not always suitable for real-time industrial operations, focusing on perimeter defenses becomes vital as the first line of protection. Strict network segmentation can prevent lateral movement within Operational Technology  networks if one system gets compromised. Firewalls tailored for industrial protocols help filter traffic to and from operations technology. Endpoint protection, application control and regular patching on all internet-accessible Operational Technology  devices also help prevent inbound attacks. Continuous monitoring lets organizations rapidly detect and respond to any suspicious activity targeting perimeter assets.

ICS-Specific Security Controls
Beyond the perimeter, additional controls tailored for ICS address cyber risks particular to operations technology. Application whitelisting verifies only authorized software runs on industrial control systems to block malware payloads. Customized intrusion detection systems are configured to recognize abnormal traffic patterns specific to industrial protocols. System configuration hardening removes unnecessary software, services and open ports from controllers and engineering workstations. Access controls based on user roles enforce least privilege for engineers and operators. Data diodes provide strictly unidirectional data flows required by some safety instrumented systems. System backup and recovery plans ensure organizations can restore operations quickly in case of a cyber incident.

Multi-Layered Defense in Depth Strategy
A holistic Operational Technology  security strategy applies defense in depth across organizational, physical and technical domains. Compartmentalizing critical functions to separate production, engineering and IT networks is a key principle. Strong access management from two-factor authentication to authorization reviews limits insider threats. Vigilant awareness and training programs make personnel attuned to social engineering risks and process anomalies. Routine vulnerability assessments and penetration testing find weak points before attackers do. Using security-focused system design from the ground up of new control infrastructure also greatly reduces future risks. Regular audits and testing of emergency response plans keep incident response capabilities sharp for any crisis situations on operations technology.

Future-Proofing Operational Technology  Security Program
As legacy systems near end of life, upgrading to latest industrial control protocols allows more standardized integrated security functions. However, organizations must thoughtfully plan any control system modernization to avoid disruption. Emerging technologies like virtualization, cloud computing, mobility and Industrial Internet of Things likewise carry both opportunities and security challenges for Operational Technology  that prudent planning can address. Properly implemented security standards like ISA 62443 provide guidelines to establish security-compliant industrial automation and control system architectures for years ahead. Continuous monitoring, risk assessments and red team exercises further strengthen an organization's understanding of its threat landscape to properly prioritize cyber defenses as operational technologies evolve.

With new connectivity enabling more insights and optimizations than ever before, operational technology has entered an exciting transformation. However, managers and engineers now hold greater responsibility than ever to apply security best practices tailored for ICS environments, protect critical infrastructure functions and safeguard public trust. Cyber defenders must stay one step ahead of evolving threats to industrial control systems through diligent multilevel strategies to defend core assets and allow progress to continue securely. Emphasis on people, processes and technology working cohesively in depth provides necessary resilience against an escalating landscape of operational risks.