101 Process-Oriented OT Cybersecurity
14 - Nov 2024
RESOURCES
When a cyberattack is detected, tools for intrusion prevention are of limited (if any) value.
That’s where Process-Oriented OT Cybersecurity comes into action – during the Incident Response phase of a cyberattack.
It leverages data from all levels of the Purdue Model (0–4) to monitor, detect, and respond to incidents in real time.
By including Level 0 data — from the process layer where turbines, pumps, and other physical components operate — it provides an unaltered view of operations, critical for identifying attacks that manipulate data or processes undetected by higher levels.
Critical infrastructure is under siege. Recent incidents, like the 2024 Halliburton cyberattack, demonstrate how vulnerabilities in OT systems can lead to devastating operational and financial consequences. For Halliburton, the attack not only disrupted operations but also triggered SEC filing requirements, spotlighting executive liability.
Governments worldwide are imposing stricter requirements for incident response, backed by penalties for non-compliance. Organizations must demonstrate readiness, placing OT cybersecurity at the forefront of operational priorities.
Unlike traditional OT security methods that focus on individual levels of the Purdue Model, Process-Oriented OT Cybersecurity integrates data from all levels.
Advanced machine learning identifies deviations in process behavior that could signal an attack. For example, a gas turbine showing normal operating conditions in the HMI might have a valve forced open at Level 0—a discrepancy only detectable through a multi-level approach.
Process-Oriented OT Cybersecurity aligns seamlessly with the NIST Incident Response Framework:
Teams are trained using simulated anomalies, such as unexpected changes in pump speeds or mismatched data between Level 0 and higher levels.
Real-time monitoring cross-references Level 0 data against higher-level information to identify false data injection or other manipulations. Advanced AI models categorize these anomalies, enabling faster incident analysis.
Multi-level data provides clarity for critical decisions—whether to shut down operations, isolate affected systems, or continue cautiously. Real-time insights ensure a coordinated response that minimizes disruption.
Lessons learned from incidents are used to refine response strategies, enhance AI models, and bolster future security measures.
While Level 0 is foundational, Process-Oriented OT Cybersecurity expands its scope. By integrating data from Levels 1–4, it creates a broader, multi-dimensional view of the OT environment. This ensures faster detection, deeper insights, and more effective responses to threats.
Process-Oriented OT Cybersecurity is essential because it directly addresses the limitations of traditional OT security approaches. It provides visibility into the physical process layer (Level 0), which is often overlooked but critical for detecting sophisticated attacks like false data injection. By integrating this data with information from higher levels, it creates a comprehensive view that improves detection, response, and recovery during cyber incidents. This capability is vital for maintaining operational reliability and meeting increasing regulatory demands.
Traditional OT cybersecurity tools are primarily designed to focus on IT-style defenses—firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and endpoint protections. While these tools are effective for preventing attacks and monitoring network activity, they are limited when it comes to real-time incident response in OT environments. Here’s how Process-Oriented OT Cybersecurity stands apart:
Traditional tools monitor network traffic and device activity, leaving the physical processes themselves (Level 0) largely unmonitored. Process-Oriented OT Cybersecurity, by contrast, continuously analyzes the behavior of critical physical assets, providing an unfiltered view that can’t be spoofed by attackers.
Most traditional tools are adapted from IT environments, focusing on securing networks and devices. Process-Oriented OT Cybersecurity is purpose-built for OT, ensuring that physical processes remain safe and operational, even when IT systems are compromised.
Traditional tools focus on prevention – Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) – and detection – Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS). However, when an attack is underway, their capabilities are limited. Process-Oriented OT Cybersecurity steps in to detect, analyze, and respond to the incident as it unfolds, ensuring minimal disruption.
By addressing these gaps, Process-Oriented OT Cybersecurity complements traditional tools, adding a critical layer of protection specifically designed for incident response in OT environments.
Traditional OT cybersecurity tools, such as IPS and IDS, target prevention and detection of potential threats but are not designed to manage active attacks. Their focus on network traffic and device activity leaves physical processes—the core of OT systems—vulnerable during incidents. Process-Oriented OT Cybersecurity bridges this critical gap by integrating real-time Level 0 data, offering an unfiltered view of physical operations that traditional tools cannot provide.
This capability enables detection, analysis, and response during an attack, ensuring minimal disruption. As cyber threats grow more sophisticated and regulations demand accountability, the need for solutions that go beyond prevention is clear—Process-Oriented OT Cybersecurity is the essential next step.
