OT Security
1. Risk Assessment & Gap Analysis
What It Is:
Operational Technology (OT) environments including SCADA, DCS, PLC, and other industrial control systems face unique risks that traditional IT security approaches cannot address. OT risk assessments identify vulnerabilities in industrial processes, evaluate threats to physical operations, and benchmark against standards like IEC 62443 and NIST SP 800-82 to ensure safety, reliability, and continuity of critical infrastructure.
How WWISE Delivers:
- Conducts OT-specific maturity and readiness assessments against IEC 62443 and NIST frameworks
- Performs control system vulnerability assessments and penetration testing (non-intrusive)
- Identifies gaps between IT security policies and OT operational requirements
- Maps OT assets, networks, and data flows to identify critical attack paths
- Develops OT-specific risk registers with safety and availability prioritisation
- Provides remediation roadmaps that respect operational uptime constraints
2. Security Architecture & Design
What It Is:
OT networks were historically air-gapped but are now increasingly connected to IT systems and the internet, expanding the attack surface. OT security architecture designs segmented, defence-in-depth networks that protect critical control systems while enabling necessary data exchange between IT and OT environments.
How WWISE Delivers:
- Designs network segmentation strategies (Purdue Model implementation)
- Architects secure remote access solutions for OT environments
- Implements industrial firewalls and unidirectional gateways (data diodes)
- Designs safe zones and conduits per IEC 62443-3-2
- Integrates OT security monitoring with existing SOC capabilities
- Develops OT-specific security policies and procedures
3. Managed Security & Monitoring
What It Is:
Industrial control systems require 24/7 monitoring tailored to OT protocols (Modbus, DNP3, OPC-UA, etc.) and operational constraints. Unlike IT systems, OT monitoring must distinguish between normal process anomalies and genuine security threats without disrupting production.
How WWISE Delivers:
- Deploys OT-specific SIEM and IDS/IPS solutions (e.g., Claroty, Nozomi, Dragos)
- Monitors OT network traffic for anomalous behaviour and protocol misuse
- Provides 24/7 SOC services with OT-trained analysts
- Performs patch management and vulnerability tracking for OT assets
- Conducts periodic security health checks and configuration reviews
- Delivers executive dashboards showing OT security posture
4. Incident Response & Forensics
What It Is:
OT incidents can have physical consequences such as production shutdowns, equipment damage, environmental harm, or safety risks. OT incident response requires specialised playbooks that prioritise safety and operational continuity alongside containment and eradication of threats.
How WWISE Delivers:
- Develops OT-specific incident response procedures and playbooks
- Conducts tabletop exercises simulating OT cyber incidents (e.g., ransomware on SCADA)
- Provides on-site and remote incident response support
- Performs OT forensic investigations without disrupting operational processes
- Supports business continuity and disaster recovery for industrial environments
- Facilitates post-incident reviews and hardening recommendations
5. Identity & Access Management
What It Is:
OT environments often lack robust identity controls, with shared credentials, hardcoded passwords, and limited accountability. OT IAM implements secure authentication and authorisation for operators, engineers, vendors, and automated systems accessing critical control infrastructure.
How WWISE Delivers:
- Designs OT-specific identity governance models
- Implements privileged access management (PAM) for OT admin accounts
- Establishes role-based access controls for control room operators and field engineers
- Supports secure vendor and third-party remote access solutions
- Implements multi-factor authentication for OT systems where feasible
- Manages user lifecycle processes for OT personnel
6. Convergence Security
What It Is:
The convergence of OT and IT networks creates complex security challenges. Data flows between enterprise systems and shop floor devices introduce new attack vectors. Convergence security ensures that connectivity between IT and OT enhances operational intelligence without compromising safety or security.
How WWISE Delivers:
- Assesses current OT/IT integration points and data flows
- Designs secure integration architectures (DMZ, edge computing, secure APIs)
- Implements data governance for cross-domain information sharing
- Aligns IT security policies with OT operational requirements
- Supports Industrial IoT (IIoT) and Industry 4.0 security initiatives
- Ensures compliance with both IT standards (ISO 27001) and OT standards (IEC 62443)
