Understanding OT Cybersecurity Attack Vectors
Learn About the Most Common OT Cybersecurity Exploits
In the realm of cybersecurity, an “attack vector” refers to the method or pathway through which a cybercriminal gains unauthorized access to a system or network, to deliver a malicious payload or harmful outcome. Essentially, it is the door or window that adversaries use to enter a digital environment, often exploiting vulnerabilities or weaknesses.
When considering Operational Technology (OT) environments, understanding attack vectors takes on a heightened significance. Unlike traditional IT networks, OT systems often directly manage and control critical physical processes and infrastructures. As a result, breaches in OT security can lead to tangible, often severe, real-world consequences. This emphasizes the importance of recognizing and mitigating potential avenues of attack specific to OT domains. With this backdrop, let’s delve into some of the common OT cybersecurity attack vectors as well as how Mangan Cybersecurity addresses them:
OT Cybersecurity Attack Vectors
Removable Media and USB Drives
Industrial environments often use USBs or other removable media to update systems or transfer data. If not properly scanned or managed, these can be a major entry point for malware.
Mangan Insight: Our comprehensive assessment checks for adherence to best practices related to removable media and provides recommendations to minimize risks.
Remote Access Exploits
Unauthorized or weakly secured remote access points can provide cybercriminals with direct entry into OT networks.
Mangan Strategy: We design secure remote access policies, recommending and/or implementing robust authentication mechanisms to protect your OT assets.
Unpatched or Legacy Systems
OT environments often run older systems, which may not receive regular patches, making them vulnerable.
Mangan Approach: Our team identifies unpatched and legacy devices, offering solutions to protect or modernize them while ensuring minimal operational disruption.
Network Propagation
Once inside a network, malicious actors can move laterally to target high-value OT assets.
Mangan Advantage: We design and implement OT segmentation strategies to limit lateral movement and deploy advanced monitoring solutions that can detect unusual activities with your specific business objectives in mind.
Supply Chain Threats
Components, software, or updates sourced from vendors can introduce vulnerabilities if they’re compromised.
Mangan Expertise: Our vendor risk assessments and secure procurement guidelines ensure the integrity of your supply chain.
Phishing Targeting OT Personnel
Specific phishing campaigns can be designed to target OT personnel, seeking to gain credentials to OT systems.
Mangan Solution: Our cybersecurity training programs equip OT staff with the skills to recognize and fend off targeted phishing attempts.
