This. report I wrote back in 2021 for an organization. I believe this entity still missing OT cybersecurity.
Introduction
In 2019, Dmitri Alperovitch, co-founder and former CTO of CrowdStrike, remarked:
“There are three types of companies: those that know they’ve been compromised, those that haven’t realized they’ve been compromised, and those who can defend themselves against a compromise.”
This post explores how critical infrastructure organizations—particularly those managing Operational Technology (OT)—can build the capabilities to defend themselves effectively in today’s evolving threat landscape.
The Economic Impact of Cybercrime
According to Cybercrime Magazine, the global cost of cybercrime surged to $6 trillion in 2021, up from $3 trillion in 2015. This staggering figure marks the greatest transfer of economic wealth in history and exceeds the profits of all major illegal drug trades combined. The impact is not just financial—it undermines innovation, deters investment, and threatens the global digital economy.
From Theory to Reality: OT Under Attack
Cyber warfare became a reality in 2010 with the discovery of Stuxnet, a sophisticated malware targeting SCADA systems in a nuclear facility. The attack caused physical damage to OT systems that were believed to be fully isolated (air-gapped) from the internet.
In today’s digitized environments, OT systems are increasingly connected—for monitoring, remote support, and analytics. This connectivity introduces new vulnerabilities. In 2021, a hacker gained access to a Florida water treatment plant’s OT system using stolen remote access credentials and attempted to poison the water supply.
Attacks on OT are no longer rare. Botnets have crippled communication networks. Ransomware has disrupted emergency services. Critical infrastructure, both regionally and globally, has suffered significant operational and financial losses.
What Is Cybersecurity in OT?
For the purpose of this article, cybersecurity in OT refers to the protection of the following:
- Confidentiality of operational data and systems
- Integrity of controls and processes
- Availability of services and infrastructure
Together, these three pillars—known as the CIA triad—form the foundation of any robust cybersecurity strategy.
Cybersecurity as Risk Management
Electricity grids, water systems, and industrial plants form the backbone of modern society. Disruptions to these systems can have cascading effects—impacting everything from hospitals and airports to telecommunications and energy production.
Cybersecurity risk management is not limited to technology purchases. It involves adopting structured frameworks such as:
- ISO/IEC 27001
- Zero Trust Architecture
- NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF)
These standards establish a security baseline—a collection of essential policies, controls, and best practices that help mitigate the most common and dangerous threats to OT systems.
The NIST Framework: A Global Benchmark
To address growing threats to critical infrastructure, the United States issued Executive Order 13636 in 2013. It tasked the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) with developing a flexible, risk-based cybersecurity framework for critical sectors.
The result was the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, now widely adopted across industries and governments. It is organized into five core functions:
- Identify – Understand the environment and associated risks
- Protect – Implement safeguards for delivery of critical services
- Detect – Monitor for cybersecurity events
- Respond – Take action during an incident
- Recover – Restore capabilities after a disruption
This structured approach enables organizations to assess maturity, prioritize resources, and strengthen resilience.
Regional and International Cooperation
In 2015, a high-level meeting between U.S. leadership and members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) underscored the importance of critical infrastructure cybersecurity. The outcomes included:
- Joint consultation on cybersecurity initiatives
- Sharing of best practices in policy, incident response, and resilience
- Technical assistance and capacity-building
- Cybersecurity exercises and workshops
These initiatives illustrate a shared commitment to improving cyber readiness across borders.
Final Thoughts
Cybersecurity in operational technology is no longer optional—it is a national imperative. The threats are real, the risks are rising, and the consequences of inaction are severe. Organizations managing critical infrastructure must treat cybersecurity as a continuous, strategic process supported by leadership, standards, and global collaboration.
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