Podcast: Understanding the challenges and key considerations for securing your OT networks

Key takeaways:

• Today, manufacturers and industrial facilities are implementing digital, connected technology to gain efficiencies and improve productivity. However, with more connected devices comes new vulnerability threats.  
• Facility managers cannot solely rely on the expertise of their IT team to understand the best methods of protecting their OT assets. 
• Threat actors have evolved over the years with more sophisticated methods and capabilities to carry out cyber attacks so facilities must be proactive to ensure proper cybersecurity.
• IT and OT network security have different priorities when determining and balancing risk. While there is some flexibility to take an IT system offline to apply updates and patches, OT networks require more planning and change management processes to execute.
• OT systems like SCADA, building automation systems and distributed control systems, to name a few, are just as at risk for cyber threats as IT networks. And as a result, “bad actors” (or hackers) are employing more sophisticated methods to tap into these systems and cause major issues.
• There are several OT security solutions out in the market today and choosing a solution depends greatly on business need. Consider one that integrates properly within your existing cybersecurity program and consider what is required to maintain it.
• Eaton takes a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity using a secure development lifecycle (SDLC) and apply a secure-by-design philosophy for our products. Our vulnerability and incident response program is used to actively find, address, communicate, and fix cybersecurity issues within our products and solutions. And a partnership with UL to certify our products and processes with the highest level of cybersecurity. Learn more about our approach to cybersecurity >
• When choosing a cybersecurity vendor, ensure there is cross-functionality expertise not only in cybersecurity but cybersecurity specific to OT and ICS systems who understand the criticality, real-time safety and availability requirements of the systems and can apply OT cybersecurity practices effectively.

To learn more about securing your OT networks, visit Eaton.com/cybersecurity.