OT systems such as SCADA, PLC, DCS, RTU and IED platforms form the technological core of industrial automation and critical infrastructure. Due to integration with IT, remote access and the use of outdated protocols, the attack surface is growing, meaning the number of accessible entry points that malicious actors can exploit. This increasing exposure makes a specialised OT security approach essential to manage risks and keep production processes safe and uninterrupted.
What is OT Security?
OT security involves the protection of operational technologies that control industrial processes, including SCADA systems, PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), DCSs (Distributed Control Systems), RTUs (Remote Terminal Units) and IEDs (Intelligent Electronic Devices). These systems are used in industries such as manufacturing, oil and gas, energy, aviation, maritime, railways and utilities.
Because traditional IT security is not easily applicable to industrial protocols such as Modbus, DNP3 and OPC-UA, OT security requires a targeted and specialised approach. Effective protection includes measures such as network segmentation, access control and protocol monitoring. In addition, governance (e.g. IEC 62443), security monitoring and regular OT penetration testing or red teaming are essential to uncover vulnerabilities and keep risks manageable. This ensures safety, continuity and compliance throughout the OT infrastructure.
Why is OT Security important?
OT systems are at the heart of industrial environments. Any disruption in these environments can have direct consequences, such as downtime, physical damage, or the failure of vital processes. Moreover, increasing digitisation, IT integration and external access make OT environments more susceptible to vulnerabilities. Robust OT security is therefore essential to ensure safety, availability and business continuity. This starts with gaining insight into networks, systems and risks and requires a focused, proactive strategy tailored to the specific characteristics of the operational environment.
What are the main challenges in OT Security?
Securing OT environments presents unique challenges that differ significantly from traditional IT security. These environments are often complex, outdated and cannot tolerate downtime. Patching options are limited and visibility into network architecture or remote access is often lacking.
Common challenges include:
- No room for downtime: even short interruptions can cause major risks, making it difficult to implement updates and security measures.
- Legacy technology: Older systems are difficult to patch and more vulnerable to attacks.
- Uncontrolled IT-OT connections: Links between domains are not always visible or secured.
- Remote access: Vendors and maintenance teams often have direct access to critical systems.
- Lack of oversight: Cloud platform connections are often missing in the risk picture.
Our OT Security Services
Effective OT security is a continuous process that requires targeted measures, tailored to the operational technology, the threat landscape and the specific demands of the industrial environment. With our OT services, ranging from compliance, penetration testing and red teaming to security monitoring, we strengthen both operational continuity and cyber resilience:
- OT security baseline assessment (governance & compliance)
- Mapping of your OT environment, networks and risks.
- Validation of existing documentation and security controls.
- Passive and, where needed, minimally active research to reduce production impact.
- Assessment against standards such as IEC 62443 and against legislation such as the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA).
- Discussion of security processes, access management, vendor management and update processes.
- Practical recommendations tailored to your environment.
- Development of a security plan that fits your organisation and capabilities.
- OT penetration testing
- Targeted testing of the security level of networks, interfaces and systems.
- Tailored penetration tests to assess specific risks in your OT environment.
- Identifying vulnerabilities and outlining possible steps to improve the security level.
- Assessing whether the environment provides sufficient protection through various attack scenarios.
- Advising on access control, segmentation and monitoring.
- OT red teaming
- Realistic simulation of targeted cyber attacks on OT environments.
- Testing of detection and response processes.
- Identifying weaknesses in physical, digital and human security.
- Evaluating the collaboration between IT and OT security teams during incidents.
- Tailored approach aligned with critical infrastructure and production processes.
- OT security monitoring
- 24/7 security monitoring of the OT environment.
- Integration with EDR, SIEM and OT environments.
- Proactive threat hunting, triage and incident response.
- Threat intelligence-driven detection.
Each of these services is modular and can be tailored to your situation. Click the links for more information.
Why Computest?
✔ Specialised in OT and critical infrastructure.
✔ Proven experience in industry, utilities and transportation.
✔ IEC 62443-based approach.
✔ Minimal impact on your production environment.
✔ Pragmatic and actionable advice.
Want to make your OT environment more secure?
Would you like to learn more about our OT Security services or speak directly with a specialist? Contact us at info@computest.nl or complete the contact form. We will get back to you within one working day to discuss your OT requirements and security challenges.