Traditionally, Operational Technology (OT) environments were separated from corporate IT networks, making the security of the OT environment simpler. The increasing convergence and interconnection of Industrial Control System (ICS) environments with other external digital infrastructure – remote access, data analytics and corporate IT environment - means that the security posture of this environment is more complex (and necessary) than before.
Keeping the OT environment operational, safe, and secure requires a comprehensive understanding of the environment - what the problem is (or could be), how to solve it (or plan for it), and actually executing the resolutions. It is this approach that forms the basis of Denver Technology's OT Security consulting which starts with an independent OT Security Health Check & Maturity Assessment.
Process Control Networks are complex in design and implementation because they integrate with a range of corporate and industrial components. PCN's perform sensitive and vital tasks for managing and handling critical infrastructure. It’s imperative to implement security in these systems because they are targets for cyber-attacks.
In this Insight, Denver Strategic Consulting Services Manager, Keren Jenns asks two of Denver's OT SME's to consider IT and OT convergence issues on manufacturing operations and look at how organisations are securing their operations beyond guards, guns and gates.