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Digitization accelerates production, connects systems, and facilitates decision-making. But every new connection, every new device, every added “convenience” also introduces new risks. Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue. Production lines, water treatment facilities, power plants, even elevators and traffic control systems — all are now targets.

There are still serious gaps in the cybersecurity of OT (Operational Technology) systems. These aren’t coincidences — they’re often the result of deeply rooted, overlooked structural issues. Below are some of the most common weaknesses observed in the field and the consequences they lead to.

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🔌 1. Connectivity is Increasing, Control is Decreasing

More and more devices are being added to OT networks every day — PLCs, SCADA systems, remote monitoring interfaces, IIoT sensors.

However, many of these connections are not added to inventory, lack segmentation, and are integrated into the system without proper controls.

Unchecked connections create blind spots that allow attackers to infiltrate without being noticed.

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📦 2. OT Inventory is Outdated or Missing

In many organizations, OT asset inventories are either non-existent or created once and never updated.

Without asset management, there can be no security. Without a clear view of your attack surface, there is no defense.

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⚠️ 3. Incomplete Risk and Impact Analysis

Risk assessments often fail to evaluate real-world impact scenarios.

Just because a vulnerability seems “low probability” doesn’t mean it’s low risk — many such vulnerabilities have led to million-dollar production halts.

Impacts in OT systems are physical, environmental, and human — fundamentally different from the IT world.

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💾 4. Inadequate Backups, No Restoration Plan

Even critical systems often lack proper, up-to-date backups. If they exist, they are untested, with no clear restore procedures.

When attacks happen, there’s often no rollback point — entire configurations must be rebuilt from scratch.

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👨‍💼 5. Decision Makers Don’t See Themselves as Targets

Executives still perceive OT security as an IT responsibility.

But attacks are now aimed directly at operational capacity and production continuity.

Cyberattacks are no longer just about data theft — they disrupt production, damage reputation, and weaken competitiveness.

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👾 6. Amateur and Professional Hackers Are Increasing

OT-targeted tools and exploit kits are now readily available on open platforms.

It’s not just nation-state actors anymore — even hobbyists can now breach critical OT systems.

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🧱 7. Firewalls Are Considered Sufficient

Many facilities still rely on the outdated mindset of “we have a firewall, we’re fine.”

In reality, those firewalls are often misconfigured, outdated, or not logging anything at all.

Most OT threats originate from inside the network, which is rarely segmented properly.

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🔓 8. Weak Access Control

User privileges are often too broad, and the infamous “everyone” group is still active.

Visitor laptops, subcontractor teams, and external maintenance vendors have full VPN or USB-based access.

Who did what, when, and where? Often, no one knows.

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🕵️ 9. Lack of Monitoring, Delayed Detection

Without IDS/IPS, SIEM, or OT-specific monitoring, attacks can go undetected for months.

Even when OT network traffic shows anomalies, there are often no systems in place to detect them.

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🚨 Summary: No OT System is Truly Safe Anymore

As modern OT systems grow more complex, so do their security gaps. But the most dangerous vulnerability is not technical — it’s complacency.

Security failures don’t only happen when protections are missing — they happen more often when protections are assumed.

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🔐 OT Security is Not Just About Protection — It’s About Continuity

Every oversight comes with a cost — and in OT, that cost isn’t just data loss. It’s physical damage, downtime, and human risk.

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🎯 What Should Be Done?

• Implement asset management specifically tailored for OT systems.

• Design network segmentation and access control with OT-specific sensitivity, not just IT standards.

• Conduct regular backup and recovery drills.

• Roll out OT security awareness training across all levels of the organization.

• Deploy OT-specific monitoring platforms (Nozomi, Claroty, Dragos, etc.).

• Establish a structured patch management and change control process.

• Form a security council with joint IT/OT participation.

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🔧 Cerrus Solutions for OT Cybersecurity

At Cerrus, we specialize in safeguarding operational environments through:

• 📋 Comprehensive OT Asset Mapping & Inventory Digitization

• 🔍 Real-time Anomaly Detection & OT Threat Monitoring

• 🔄 Backup & Recovery Automation Tailored for Legacy Systems

• 🔐 Granular Access Control with Audit Trails

• ⚙️ Custom Security Policies & Governance Aligned with IEC 62443

• 📚 Awareness & Response Training for OT Operators and Decision Makers

• 🧠 Simulated Cyberattack Scenarios & Penetration Testing

• 🤝 Integration with Partners like Nozomi, Wallix, OPSWAT

Whether you’re just starting your OT security journey or enhancing an existing architecture, Cerrus provides the expertise, tools, and strategic guidance needed to protect your operations.

📨 Reach out to us at: hello@cerrus.io