The Cybersecurity Risks Facing Industrial Control Systems and Operational Technology

As digital transformation accelerates across all sectors, cybersecurity has become a cornerstone of operational resilience. Industries like finance, healthcare, and retail have long been in the spotlight for their cybersecurity strategies. However, there is a critical yet often overlooked sector at increasing risk: industrial control systems (ICS) and operational technology (OT). These systems are the backbone of essential services such as power generation, water treatment, manufacturing, and transportation. Their security is not just about protecting data—it’s about preserving public safety and national infrastructure.

Originally designed for reliability and efficiency, ICS and OT environments are now being retrofitted with digital tools to support modernization and remote access. This convergence of operational systems with IT networks introduces complex cyber risks that traditional security models are ill-equipped to handle. As attackers become more sophisticated and motivations more disruptive, the urgency to address these vulnerabilities has never been greater.

This article explores what ICS and OT systems are, why they are uniquely vulnerable to cyber threats, and how the risks they face are evolving in today’s interconnected world.

Understanding ICS and OT Systems

Industrial control systems are a group of technologies used to monitor and control industrial processes. These systems include components such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs), supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, distributed control systems (DCS), and human-machine interfaces (HMIs). These devices and platforms interact directly with sensors, machines, and actuators to control everything from robotic arms on a factory floor to turbines in a power plant.

Operational technology is the broader term used to describe all the hardware and software that detects or causes changes through direct monitoring and control of physical processes. This includes both industrial and infrastructure-related systems found in energy grids, chemical plants, oil pipelines, and even building management systems.

Historically, ICS and OT systems were separated from corporate IT networks. They operated in isolated environments with proprietary protocols and physical security barriers. This air-gapped architecture created a perception of safety. But as digital transformation initiatives push industries toward greater efficiency and centralization, the boundaries between IT and OT are dissolving, exposing these systems to a broader range of cyber threats.

Key Cybersecurity Challenges in ICS/OT Environments

Industrial control and OT systems face unique challenges that make cybersecurity efforts difficult. Unlike traditional IT systems, where updates and reboots are routine, industrial environments often require continuous uptime and minimal disruptions. Below are some of the key factors that complicate security in these environments.

Legacy Systems and Outdated Protocols

Many industrial systems in use today were deployed 20 to 30 years ago, long before cybersecurity became a major concern. These systems often rely on outdated operating systems and insecure communication protocols that were never designed to handle modern threats. Implementing security patches or upgrading these systems can be complicated, expensive, or even impossible without replacing critical infrastructure.

Downtime Risks and Safety Constraints

In IT environments, patches and updates are rolled out regularly, often during scheduled maintenance windows. In industrial settings, downtime can result in production losses, system instability, or even safety hazards. This creates significant resistance to making changes, which leads to an accumulation of vulnerabilities over time.

Poor Network Visibility

Many organizations lack full visibility into their OT environments. As industrial systems evolve and new devices are added, they are not always documented or monitored. This lack of asset inventory and network mapping makes it difficult to detect unauthorized devices or suspicious behavior.

Lack of Segmentation and Flat Network Design

A common issue in OT networks is poor segmentation. Without clear separation between systems, a compromise in one part of the network can allow attackers to move laterally across other systems. A flat network architecture enables malware or adversaries to quickly spread from a single entry point to critical control devices.

Cultural and Organizational Gaps

IT and OT teams often operate in silos. IT professionals may not understand the operational constraints of industrial systems, while OT engineers may lack expertise in cybersecurity. This disconnect makes it difficult to develop a unified security strategy and can lead to delayed or disjointed incident response efforts.

Real-World Cyberattacks Targeting ICS/OT

Theoretical risks have become very real over the past decade, with several high-profile attacks targeting industrial systems around the world. These incidents demonstrate that ICS/OT environments are no longer insulated from the threat landscape.

Stuxnet (2010)

Stuxnet was the first known cyber weapon to cause physical destruction through code. It targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities by exploiting vulnerabilities in Siemens PLCs to sabotage uranium enrichment centrifuges. The attack marked a turning point in the history of cyber warfare, proving that software could damage physical infrastructure.

Ukraine Power Grid Attack (2015 and 2016)

In two separate incidents, hackers managed to take down segments of Ukraine’s power grid using malware such as BlackEnergy and Industroyer. These attacks resulted in widespread blackouts and demonstrated the ability of adversaries to cause real-world harm through cyber means. They also revealed the weaknesses in critical infrastructure systems that rely heavily on legacy technology.

Triton/Trisis (2017)

The Triton malware was designed to disable safety instrumented systems (SIS) at a petrochemical plant in the Middle East. These systems are responsible for preventing dangerous or catastrophic events. By targeting them, the attackers risked triggering explosions or toxic leaks. This attack was a chilling reminder that cyber threats can be used not just for espionage or sabotage, but for potential destruction.

The Impact of IT-OT Convergence

As industries embrace smart technologies, remote monitoring, and cloud-based analytics, IT and OT networks are becoming more integrated. This convergence offers many operational benefits, including better decision-making, predictive maintenance, and reduced operational costs. However, it also introduces new risks.

Attackers can now use IT systems as stepping stones to reach critical OT environments. For example, a phishing email targeting an office worker could ultimately provide access to a production line or power station. The interconnectedness of modern systems means that even small vulnerabilities can have outsized consequences.

Many organizations are unprepared for this reality. Their security tools are often focused on IT threats and lack visibility into OT protocols and behaviors. Without purpose-built solutions, it becomes nearly impossible to monitor and secure both environments effectively.

The Stakes: Why ICS/OT Security Matters

The consequences of ICS/OT attacks extend far beyond financial losses or data breaches. In these environments, a cyber incident can lead to:

Physical damage to machines and infrastructure
Environmental contamination
Threats to human safety and lives
Disruption of public services and critical infrastructure
Loss of national security or industrial secrets

These risks are particularly concerning for sectors like energy, water, transportation, and manufacturing—where operational disruption can have cascading effects across the economy and society.

Regulatory bodies and governments are beginning to recognize these risks. New frameworks, such as NIST’s Cybersecurity Framework for Critical Infrastructure and IEC 62443, are being developed to provide guidance for securing ICS/OT environments. However, widespread implementation and cultural change within organizations remain slow.

The cybersecurity risks facing industrial systems are not theoretical—they are active, persistent, and growing. As these systems become more connected and complex, the attack surface expands, and the potential impact of breaches intensifies. Organizations must take proactive steps to secure their ICS and OT environments.

The next article in this series will explore how companies like Claroty and FireEye are helping to close the gap between IT and OT security through innovative integrations and technologies. Their collaboration represents a shift toward unified threat visibility and response strategies tailored to the unique needs of industrial environments.

Securing ICS and OT systems is no longer optional. These environments are central to modern life, and their vulnerability to cyber threats represents a serious challenge for both industry and society. By understanding the unique risks these systems face and the limitations of traditional IT security tools in industrial settings, organizations can begin building more resilient infrastructures.

A strong cybersecurity foundation for OT requires collaboration between IT and OT teams, investment in purpose-built tools, and a willingness to adapt to the rapidly evolving threat landscape. Only by addressing these challenges head-on can we protect the critical systems that keep the world running.

Strategic Integration – How FireEye and Claroty Are Transforming OT Threat Response

In Part 1 of this series, we explored the rising cybersecurity threats facing industrial control systems (ICS) and operational technology (OT). As critical infrastructure becomes increasingly digital, the need for visibility, automation, and rapid response in OT environments is more pressing than ever. However, conventional IT security tools often fall short in addressing the unique characteristics and constraints of industrial networks.

To close this gap, organizations need security solutions that not only understand the industrial context but also integrate seamlessly with existing IT security operations. This is exactly the goal behind the partnership between Claroty, a leader in OT/IoT security, and FireEye (now Trellix), a pioneer in threat intelligence and incident response.

This article dives into how the integration of Claroty’s Continuous Threat Detection (CTD) platform with FireEye’s Helix security operations platform provides a strategic advantage. Together, they offer enhanced visibility, faster response, and a more unified approach to detecting and mitigating threats across both IT and OT domains.

The Challenge of Unified IT-OT Security

Modern industrial environments are no longer isolated. The need for real-time analytics, predictive maintenance, and centralized control has driven organizations to bridge the gap between IT and OT systems. Unfortunately, this convergence brings with it a new challenge: how to monitor and respond to threats across two fundamentally different environments.

Key obstacles include:

Limited communication between IT and OT teams
Disparate tools with no centralized visibility
High alert volumes leading to analyst fatigue
Difficulty correlating data between environments
Limited automation in OT incident response

For security operations centers (SOCs), this means critical threats in OT may go unnoticed or unmanaged due to poor visibility or a lack of context. The Claroty-FireEye integration aims to resolve these issues by delivering rich OT telemetry directly into the SOC workflow.

Overview of the Claroty and FireEye Partnership

In 2019, Claroty and FireEye announced a partnership that would integrate Claroty’s Continuous Threat Detection (CTD) platform with FireEye’s Helix security operations platform. Each solution addresses different—but complementary—areas of the security stack:

Claroty CTD provides deep visibility into OT and industrial IoT (IIoT) networks. It automatically discovers assets, maps network communications, and detects anomalies or threats in real time.
FireEye Helix is a security operations platform that unifies multiple tools—including SIEM, orchestration, and threat intelligence—into a single pane of glass for detection, investigation, and response.

The integration enables Claroty CTD to feed asset data and threat alerts directly into Helix. This allows IT security teams to correlate events across both environments and respond using a common platform and workflow.

How the Integration Works

Let’s break down the mechanics of how this integration enhances OT threat detection and response.

1. Automated Asset Discovery

Claroty CTD begins by passively scanning the OT network. It identifies and classifies all connected devices—PLCs, HMIs, RTUs, switches, sensors—without disrupting operations. This asset inventory includes detailed context such as:

Device type and vendor
Firmware version
Communication protocols
Active connections and traffic behavior

This information is enriched and sent to FireEye Helix, giving SOC analysts full visibility into OT assets alongside their IT counterparts.

2. Threat and Anomaly Detection

CTD continuously monitors traffic on the OT network and uses behavioral analytics, threat signatures, and heuristics to detect:

Unusual protocol behavior
Unauthorized communications
Changes in device configuration
Known malware targeting ICS systems

When suspicious activity is detected, an alert is generated within Claroty and pushed into Helix, where it can be correlated with other data points—such as firewall logs, endpoint detections, or identity-based anomalies.

3. Centralized Alert Management in Helix

Within FireEye Helix, analysts can now view OT alerts alongside IT alerts in one consolidated dashboard. This provides:

Unified threat visibility across all environments
Context-rich alerts, including asset data and threat indicators
Easier prioritization and investigation of incidents
Historical data for forensic analysis

This streamlines the analyst workflow and ensures no OT alert is overlooked or siloed.

4. Orchestrated Incident Response

The integration doesn’t stop at detection. FireEye Helix’s orchestration capabilities allow SOC teams to automate incident response actions based on OT-specific threats. For example:

Isolate compromised devices from the network
Trigger backup or failover procedures
Notify plant operations teams in real time
Initiate remote forensics or reimaging of affected devices

This improves the speed, consistency, and accuracy of response actions across environments.

Real-World Use Case Scenarios

The benefits of the Claroty-FireEye integration become even clearer when applied to real-world scenarios. Here are a few examples:

Scenario 1: Lateral Movement from IT to OT

An attacker gains access to the corporate IT network through a phishing email. Using stolen credentials, they pivot laterally and attempt to access a control room workstation.

Claroty detects unauthorized access to OT devices.
Helix correlates this activity with the original phishing campaign.
The SOC is alerted with complete context and can isolate both the IT and OT endpoints.

Scenario 2: Rogue Device on the Production Floor

A technician connects an unauthorized laptop to the OT network for diagnostics. The device starts communicating using unfamiliar protocols.

Claroty immediately flags the new device and the anomalous behavior.
Helix creates an alert and correlates it with physical access logs from the facility.
Security teams are dispatched to investigate and remove the device before any damage is done.

Scenario 3: Coordinated Ransomware Attack

A targeted ransomware attack encrypts files on IT servers and begins spreading to OT systems, attempting to lock up HMI terminals.

CTD identifies abnormal file access patterns and unusual device behavior in the OT environment.
Helix consolidates indicators from multiple layers and activates containment workflows.
Backup systems are triggered to restore operations with minimal downtime.

Benefits of the Integration

The strategic integration between Claroty and FireEye provides a number of tangible benefits to industrial organizations:

Enhanced Visibility

SOC analysts can now monitor the full range of IT and OT assets from a single interface, eliminating blind spots.

Accelerated Threat Detection

By correlating data from both environments, Helix helps identify coordinated attacks faster than isolated tools.

Consistent Incident Response

Automation and orchestration ensure consistent response actions—critical in OT environments where downtime or missteps can be costly or dangerous.

Operational Efficiency

Combining tools reduces complexity, improves analyst productivity, and increases the overall ROI of security investments.

Improved Compliance

A unified platform helps organizations demonstrate due diligence in protecting both IT and OT infrastructure—critical for industries regulated under NERC CIP, NIST CSF, IEC 62443, and others.

Why Strategic Partnerships Matter in OT Security

The Claroty-FireEye integration represents more than just technical compatibility—it signals a broader shift toward ecosystem-based cybersecurity. No single vendor can solve all the problems in an increasingly interconnected threat landscape. Strategic partnerships allow organizations to build a layered, modular defense architecture that evolves with their needs.

By bringing together best-of-breed capabilities from both the OT and IT domains, this partnership addresses a longstanding gap: how to manage and mitigate cyber risk in industrial environments without compromising safety or uptime.

The integration between Claroty and FireEye is a powerful example of how collaboration can drive real value in cybersecurity. But it is only the beginning. As threats continue to evolve and critical infrastructure becomes even more digitized, organizations will need to adopt more proactive, resilient, and intelligent approaches to security.

we will look at the future of OT security—emerging trends, new technologies, and strategies for building long-term cyber resilience in critical infrastructure.

Industrial organizations face a rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape. The convergence of IT and OT systems has exposed critical infrastructure to risks that can no longer be managed by traditional means. The partnership between Claroty and FireEye offers a forward-thinking solution—one that unifies visibility, accelerates threat detection, and empowers fast, consistent response across both environments.

By integrating Claroty’s deep OT expertise with FireEye Helix’s advanced threat intelligence and response capabilities, organizations can significantly improve their ability to defend against modern cyber threats—without compromising the safety and uptime that OT systems demand.

The Future of OT Security – Building Resilience Across Critical Infrastructure

In the previous articles, we explored the evolving risks in industrial control systems (ICS) and how partnerships like Claroty and FireEye are helping organizations bridge the gap between IT and OT cybersecurity. As industrial environments become increasingly connected, resilient cybersecurity isn’t just a technical necessity—it’s a foundational requirement for operational continuity, public safety, and national security.

In this final part of the series, we look ahead to the future of operational technology (OT) security. We’ll explore emerging trends, technologies, and strategies that can help organizations build long-term resilience in their critical infrastructure. The goal is not just to defend against today’s threats, but to prepare for tomorrow’s challenges—whether that means new threat actors, regulatory changes, or advanced technologies like AI and edge computing.

The Changing Threat Landscape in Industrial Security

OT environments face a dynamic and increasingly hostile threat landscape. What was once a relatively obscure attack vector is now a primary target for advanced threat actors.

Nation-State Threats and Cyberwarfare

Critical infrastructure has become a strategic target for nation-state cyber operations. Adversaries are developing custom malware tailored for ICS, with the goal of disrupting energy grids, water supplies, and transportation systems. These attacks are often politically motivated and can remain dormant for months, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Ransomware in OT Environments

Ransomware has evolved from a purely IT issue to a significant OT threat. Attackers are now targeting industrial companies with double-extortion tactics—encrypting data and threatening to disrupt physical operations. The convergence of IT and OT systems has made this crossover not only possible but increasingly common.

Insider Threats and Human Error

While external threats dominate headlines, many OT incidents are still caused by insiders—either through negligence, poor security hygiene, or intentional sabotage. Misconfigured devices, weak passwords, and insecure remote access points can all become entryways for attackers.

Future Trends That Will Shape OT Security

The next decade will bring significant changes in how organizations approach OT cybersecurity. Below are some of the major trends and shifts to watch.

Convergence Becomes Standard

The distinction between IT and OT will continue to erode. Unified security operations centers (SOCs) that oversee both environments will become more common, and the tools used to protect them will need to be interoperable and holistic. This convergence will demand greater collaboration between engineering and cybersecurity teams.

Regulatory Pressure Increases

Governments around the world are introducing stricter cybersecurity regulations for critical infrastructure sectors. Frameworks such as the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), NERC CIP, and IEC 62443 will become mandatory benchmarks for compliance. Organizations will be expected to demonstrate not just policies, but measurable implementation.

AI and Machine Learning

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are beginning to play a greater role in threat detection and incident response. In OT environments, AI can be used to:

Detect anomalies in process behavior
Identify predictive maintenance needs
Reduce false positives in alert systems
Automate response to known attack patterns

However, AI must be trained specifically for OT data and behaviors, which differ significantly from traditional IT environments.

Edge and Cloud Computing

As more industrial operations adopt edge devices and cloud services, securing the data flow between on-premise and off-site systems becomes essential. This shift creates new vulnerabilities—especially if organizations fail to implement strong authentication, encryption, and network segmentation.

Supply Chain Security

OT environments often rely on third-party hardware, software, and integrators. A single compromised component can serve as a backdoor into the entire system. Future security strategies will need to account for the full supply chain and include vendor risk management, code integrity checks, and hardware validation.

Building a Resilient OT Security Strategy

With the threat landscape evolving and technology advancing rapidly, how can organizations future-proof their OT security? Below are several pillars of a resilient security strategy.

1. Visibility and Asset Inventory

You cannot protect what you cannot see. A fundamental requirement for OT security is complete visibility into all connected assets. Organizations need:

Real-time asset discovery tools
Continuous monitoring of traffic and protocols
Detailed asset profiling including firmware, OS, and vulnerabilities

This data forms the foundation for effective threat detection and risk management.

2. Network Segmentation and Zero Trust

Flat networks are a major vulnerability in industrial environments. Implementing robust segmentation—where devices are grouped based on function, trust level, or risk—is key to containing threats.

Additionally, adopting a Zero Trust model means that no device or user is inherently trusted. Access is verified continuously based on multiple factors, and permissions are minimized to the least required level.

3. Integrated Security Operations

As seen in the Claroty-FireEye integration, unified visibility and response are critical. Organizations should aim to:

Integrate OT telemetry with their existing SIEM and SOAR platforms
Develop playbooks for both IT and OT incidents
Use centralized dashboards to monitor threats across environments

Integrated operations reduce response times and eliminate blind spots.

4. Secure Remote Access

Remote access is often a weak point in OT systems. To secure it, organizations should use:

Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
Jump servers and bastion hosts
Session logging and behavioral analytics
Time-restricted and role-based access controls

This allows maintenance and support tasks to proceed without exposing the environment to unnecessary risk.

5. Regular Training and Cross-Functional Teams

Technology alone won’t secure OT environments. Human factors play a major role in both risk and resilience. Training programs should:

Educate engineering teams on cybersecurity basics
Familiarize IT security teams with industrial systems and protocols
Create cross-functional incident response teams with defined roles

Bridging the knowledge gap between IT and OT personnel is essential for coordinated defense.

6. Incident Response Planning

Industrial systems require tailored response plans. Traditional IT playbooks may be incompatible with OT realities like uptime requirements and safety protocols. Response plans should:

Include clear escalation paths and stakeholder notifications
Have predefined containment procedures for ICS environments
Be tested through regular tabletop exercises and simulations

Being prepared to act quickly and safely is key to minimizing impact.

The Role of Ecosystem Collaboration

No organization operates in isolation. As threats grow more sophisticated and interdependent, collaborative defense becomes essential.

Public-Private Partnerships

Governments, critical infrastructure operators, and technology vendors must share threat intelligence, coordinate response efforts, and develop joint standards. Initiatives like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), ENISA, and ISACs play a key role in facilitating this cooperation.

Vendor and Solution Integration

As demonstrated with Claroty and FireEye, integrated solutions offer real-time insights and actionable intelligence. Open APIs, plug-and-play compatibility, and standardized protocols will become essential features of modern security stacks.

A Look Into the Future

Looking ahead, OT security will likely be shaped by the following developments:

AI-powered self-healing networks that detect and neutralize threats autonomously
Cyber-physical security convergence, where physical and digital protections are jointly managed
Real-time global threat intelligence networks tailored to ICS/OT
Increased adoption of digital twins to simulate and protect industrial processes

These innovations are already taking shape and will define the next generation of resilient infrastructure.

Conclusion

The future of OT security is not just about defending against threats—it’s about building systems that are resilient by design. As digital transformation continues to reshape industries, organizations must evolve from reactive defense to proactive resilience.

Achieving this will require a combination of technology, strategy, and culture. It means investing in purpose-built tools, adopting modern frameworks, and fostering collaboration between IT and OT teams. Most importantly, it requires a mindset that views cybersecurity not as a cost center, but as a vital enabler of operational continuity and safety.

By understanding the changing landscape, embracing integration and automation, and planning for the long term, organizations can ensure their critical infrastructure remains protected—no matter what threats the future holds.