The line between IT and OT is thinner than ever and attackers know it. Critical infrastructure, manufacturing plants, ports, water systems, and energy providers are all being targeted with ransomware, remote access threats, and unauthorized control system access.
Some of the biggest risks come not from sophisticated zero-days, but from simple oversights in ICS/OT environments. Below are 5 high-risk security gaps you should address immediately:
1. Flat Network Architecture
Many ICS networks are still flat, meaning IT and OT systems share the same broadcast domain or VLAN. If malware gets into the IT side, it can easily move laterally into control systems.
2. Direct Internet or Cloud Exposure
It’s common to find PLCs, RTUs, or web-based HMIs exposed directly to the internet, often for “remote access” convenience. But these systems rarely have modern protections.
3. Legacy Devices with Hardcoded Credentials
Older controllers, sensors, and gateways often come with vendor-default usernames/passwords or hardcoded credentials that can’t be changed. These are sitting ducks for attackers using Shodan or brute force scripts.
4. Lack of Monitoring or Logging in OT Networks
Many ICS environments don’t have visibility into what’s happening on their network. Without logs, it’s impossible to detect abnormal behavior until it’s too late.
5. No Backup or Disaster Recovery Plan for PLCs and Configs
If ransomware wipes your HMI or corrupts a controller, can you recover? Many OT environments don’t have proper backup strategies for configurations, firmware, or even system schematics.
Final Word
ICS and OT systems weren’t built with security in mind but today, they’re part of every attacker’s target map. Getting the basics right, like segmentation, access control, and visibility can make the difference between resilience and disaster. If you’re unsure where to start, FortifySec offers security assessments customized to industrial environments.
Contact us to discuss your OT security strategy.