Operational Technology (OT) systems manage everything from
water treatment plants to
power grids. In these situations, cybersecurity is more than safeguarding data—it's about keeping people safe. Unlike traditional Information Technology (IT) breaches that leak passwords, OT attacks can have devastating physical consequences: chemical spills, power blackouts or worse. As utilities begin digitizing, their once-isolated OT systems are now exposed to the internet, making them more vulnerable to cyberattacks. This blog will discuss why this is a growing concern—and why regular cybersecurity audits are essential.
The Growing Cybersecurity Threat
OT environments are often a patchwork of legacy systems, some dating back decades, mixed with modern technology as industries modernize. These systems were built for reliability and uptime, not security. They often run on outdated operating systems (like Windows XP, long past its support lifecycle), use proprietary protocols with little to no encryption and are physically isolated from the internet. But as IT and OT converge for efficiency, those air gaps are disappearing, exposing fragile systems to the unpredictable and sometimes dangerous landscape of the internet.
The Hidden Vulnerabilities
Many OT networks remain mysterious, even to their operators. Different devices accumulate over decades, and it’s difficult to keep an accurate inventory. The combination of unpatched vulnerabilities, default passwords and poor IT-OT network segmentation create critical vulnerabilities. In addition, there is also a skill gap—few experts understand both OT and cybersecurity. These ingredients can create a recipe for disaster, and without visibility into these weaknesses, utilities risk leaving themselves open to cyber threats.
Salt Typhoon: The Sneaky Cyberattacks Targeting Our Water and Power Utilities
Salt Typhoon is a sophisticated series of cyberattacks believed to originate from a government-backed group in China. These hackers, known as Advanced Persistent Threats (APT), target critical infrastructure, such as water treatment plants and power grids, primarily in the United States. Their objectives include industrial espionage and service disruption, with the capability to steal sensitive information, interfere with operations, and seed systems and networks with harmful and destructive payloads they can activate in the future. Using custom malware, they exploit system vulnerabilities like email servers and internet routers. Salt Typhoon is highly organized, with specialized teams focusing on different sectors.
The threat posed by Salt Typhoon emphasizes the growing concern over cyber warfare and its potential to impact essential services—and they aren’t the only ones out there.
Volt Typhoon and
Medusa Ransomware are additional groups staging attacks on critical OT systems. Employing advanced technologies, including
artificial intelligence, these cyber threats are growing rapidly.
Why Regular Cybersecurity Audits Are Critical
Regular cybersecurity audits serve as a primary shield against the ever-present threat of cyberattacks. They provide a comprehensive understanding of OT systems, exposing vulnerabilities that might otherwise go unnoticed. By identifying their vulnerabilities, owners better understand their OT systems and can take proactive steps to make them considerably harder and less attractive to attack.
With this constantly evolving threat, proactive regular audits help keep defenses up-to-date and safeguard systems. When critical infrastructure is on the line, the cost of a cyberattack, whether in financial loss or harm, is too high to ignore. Waiting for a breach is not an option.
How Stanley Consultants Can Help
At Stanley Consultants, our digital practice specializes in OT cybersecurity audits tailored to your unique environment. Our team combines extensive OT knowledge with cutting-edge security expertise and decades of engineering experience to properly understand your system and its vulnerabilities.
A complete OT cybersecurity audit includes the following:
- Inventory All Assets: Create a detailed inventory of all OT assets, including devices, systems and software. Understand the connections between these assets and their functions in your operations.
- Identify Critical Systems: Determine which systems are critical to your operations and prioritize them for security measures.
- Identify Vulnerabilities: Assess your OT environment for vulnerabilities, including outdated software, unpatched systems and insecure connections.
- Evaluate Threats: Understand the specific threats to your industry and OT environment, such as ransomware, insider threats or nation-state actors.
- Assess Impact: Determine the potential impact of various cyber threats on your operations, safety and compliance.
Take Action Now
The dark side of OT cybersecurity doesn’t have to be a constant worry.
Reach out to our team today to get started on your cybersecurity audit.