Securing Critical Infrastructure: OT Cybersecurity in Focus
Critical infrastructure (CI) attacks frequently dominate global headlines, affecting not only the U.S. but also nations worldwide. These attacks on critical infrastructure sectors have led to significant and far-reaching impacts and can have extensive global consequences.
Critical Infrastructure Sectors
The nation’s CI comprises sixteen interdependent sectors. Disruption of any sector could critically impact the national economy, health, and safety as they are dependent on each other. The U.S. government employs centralized strategies for robust and cohesive Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP).
Chemical
Commercial Facilities
Communications
Critical Manufacturing
Dams
Defense Industrial Base
Emergency Services
Energy
Financial
Food & Agricultural
Government Facilities
Health Care & Public Health
Information Technology
Nuclear Reactors, Materials & Waste
Transportation Systems
Water Systems
What is Operational Technology (OT)?
OT cybersecurity refers to equipment or interconnected systems designed to manage industrial processes versus traditional IT administrative processes. For example, Operational Technology systems can include production line management, oil monitoring, transportation control systems, and utility power grids.
OT and IT: What’s the Difference?
In the context of OT cybersecurity, IT primarily focuses on data management and business operations through computers and networks. In contrast, OT is industrial-based and consists of networks of interconnected machines. While IT prioritizes a balanced approach to security, emphasizing confidentiality, integrity, and availability, OT is distinguished by its emphasis on high availability. This emphasis is due to OT’s nature as a continuous, real-time system where constant availability is crucial, though confidentiality and integrity remain important.
Assess – Secure – Defend
We improve the security of and proactively manage potential risks across critical infrastructure and commercial sectors.
What is So Critical About Critical Infrastructure? Over the next several weeks we will be diving deeper and talking more…
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