Operational technology or OT security solutions have now become integral to the daily operations of industries that have embraced IT infrastructure in their processes, systems, and facilities. As it stands, IT-enabled industries are increasingly subjected to malicious attacks by individuals or groups seeking to disrupt an organization's smooth operations. Consequently, there's also heightened demand for OT cybersecurity firms that can shield an industrial organization against malicious attacks and unauthorized access to software and hardware. 

By establishing an OT security system, your organization can detect, prevent, and quickly respond to events compromising your industrial machines, and the IT systems and facilities running them. With a robust operational technology security solution, you can effectively skirt potential data leaks, network breaches, and any unnecessary financial losses. 

What is OT Security?

OT security is essential for critical infrastructure as Operational Technology (OT) becomes increasingly networked and sophisticated.

OT is hardware and software that directly monitors and controls physical devices, processes, and events in an enterprise, big or small. It is commonly used in Industrial Control Systems (ICS), such as SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems, and in critical infrastructure applications, such as power stations and public transportation.

As OT converges with networked technology, its attack surface expands, making it more vulnerable to cyberattacks and other forms of sabotage. This is why OT security is growing exponentially in importance these days, as more and more organizations seek to protect their organizational systems, processes, and assets.

Best Operational Technology (OT) Security Solutions in 2023

Here are the top 5 best OT cyber security solutions in 2023 that you should consider availing soon:

No.1 SSH

(Photo: SSH)

SSH Communications Security (SSH) is a cybersecurity company specializing in securing communications between people, applications, networks, and systems, including privileged access and credentials management.

This helps companies build a proactive defensive cybersecurity posture to reduce the risk of breaches and lets organizations grow in the digital world without constant worry about attacks and leaks.

SSH is trusted by over 5,000 customers worldwide, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, financial institutions, retailers, and top manufacturers.

Features

Here are the best features of SSH OT security solutions that you can enjoy:

PrivX OT Edition

(Photo: SSH)

The PrivX OT Edition, part of the Zero Trust Suite portfolio, is a highly automated Access Management solution for hybrid, multi-cloud, and multi-vendor OT environments. It supports quantum-safe connections and any combination of password vaulting, rotation, and passwordless authentication to meet the needs of a variety of IT/OT environments.

The solution supports granular, least-privilege, and just-enough-access (JEA) models that are not available in VPNs/Firewalls/DMZs, which grant too broad access to industrial ICS/OT targets.

PrivX OT Edition grants Zero Trust access just in time (JIT) - without the risk of shared or leave-behind credentials whenever technologically viable.

Here are PrivX's most essential features: 

(Photo: SSH)

1. Vendor-Agnostic Access Control to OT Targets

PrivX OT Edition supports protocols and targets that use OT technologies, even if they use vendor-specific, proprietary or legacy protocols. At the same time, it provides network-level access control to IT targets, including those using SSH, RDP, HTTPS, and other TCP/IP protocols. It is a centralized digital gatekeeper of access for critical tasks in OT environments.

2. Secure Remote Access Management On and Off-Site

PrivX OT Edition is a secure remote access management solution that allows organizations to control targets and site access, greenlight sessions and jobs, and manage OT roles. It is also a great tool to operate on- and off-site secure access needed for specific tasks, including tasks of remote operators, maintenance engineers, and third parties.

PrivX OT Edition also includes a native workflow/approval process that lets organizations automate and manage authorizations with JIT and just-enough-access (JEA). This means that users can only request access to the resources they need, when they need them, with minimal privileges, and for the duration required to get the job done.

Overall, PrivX is a comprehensive, secure remote access lifecycle management solution that can help organizations protect their critical assets and data.

3. Identity Synchronization from Multiple Identities

You can streamline identity management and access control with automatic identity synchronization and role mapping - even from multiple directories or other ID sources at the same time. Additionally, PrivX OT Edition provides Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) with Session Recording, Monitoring, and Audit events for all connections. 

4. Light Footprint on OT Environment

You can ensure minimal environmental impact on operational technology systems with PrivX's agentless software installation and resource-efficient deployment.

5. User-friendly and Audited

PrivX OT Edition allows technicians to enjoy an effortless and smooth authentication and access process, thanks to the solution's elimination of passwords, incorporation of biometrics, and other intuitive authentication methods. Its advanced security preserves data confidentiality, audibility, and proper access control, monitoring, and recording, giving organizations the confidence to exchange critical data securely.

6. Regulations Compliance

PrivX OT Edition will let you ensure compliance with regulations governing control system applications, automation, remote access, and network and information systems, including:

• ISA/IEC 62443

• ISO 27001

• NIS/NIS 2.0

• NIST

No. 2: Forcepoint 

(Photo: Forcepoint)

Forcepoint is a network security solution employing strategies such as Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA). These acronyms refer to the following capabilities:

• SASE: Provides secure access to applications and data, regardless of location or device.

• ZTA: Secures networks by verifying the identity of all users and devices before granting access.

Forcepoint can use these capabilities to control access to devices and applications through network device settings and construct virtual secure networks across the internet, including industrial machinery. In other words, Forcepoint can help you to:

• Secure your network by verifying the identity of all users and devices before granting access.

• Control access to devices and applications through network device settings.

• Construct virtual secure networks across the internet, including industrial machinery.

Features

(Photo: Forcepoint)

1. Single-vendor SASE

Forcepoint is a pioneering converged networking and security firm with patented multi-link aggregation. It has 6,000 sites carefully managed from a single console.

2. Data-first Security

Its automated data classification, continuous monitoring, and visibility make Forcepoint a reliable data loss prevention (DLP) service provider with over 10,000 clients.

3. Simplified Architecture

Forcepoint's Security Service Edge (SSE) component features one console for different channels, a unified agent, and unified policies that secure critical data. It lowers latency to boost productivity and improves data access and security with a Zero Trust approach.

4. Distributed Enforcement

You can rely on Forcepoint to help you craft a security policy that you can apply across all your channels. It also ensures omnipresent data protection across your endpoint, cloud, and network so you can have peace of mind.

No. 3: SCADAFence 

(Photo: SCADAFence)

SCADAfence is a cybersecurity solution for critical infrastructure, safeguarding OT and IoT assets with continuous software-based monitoring, behavioral analytics, and threat detection. It provides a comprehensive view of industrial networks, illuminating security incidents and infrastructure insights. It can be easily integrated into an organization's existing security measures, thus improving overall OT protection.

Features

(Photo: SCADAFence)

1. Active & Passive Monitoring Approach

SCADAfence's OT security platform uses a combination of passive and active network monitoring to continuously monitor your OT network for security breaches and anomalous events. This two-pronged approach helps prevent most incidents of security breaches as it is proactive instead of reactive.

2. Real-time Threat Detection & Response

It uses AI, machine learning, and behavioral analytics to provide real-time visibility, threat detection, and response capabilities to protect critical infrastructure and ensure the reliability and safety of industrial processes. Specifically, SCADAfence can detect and alert on anomalies, suspicious activities, and potential cyber threats that may pose a risk to the integrity and availability of critical infrastructure.

3. Deep Visibility into ICS Networks

The SCADAfence Platform provides comprehensive visibility into ICS networks by automatically discovering and mapping the network topology, identifying connected devices and their configurations, and monitoring communication patterns between them. This visibility enables organizations to understand their ICS networks, identify security threats, and implement security controls.

4. Improved Security

SCADAfence lets organizations identify and mitigate security risks more effectively, reducing the likelihood of successful attacks.

5. Reduced Costs

SCADAfence can help organizations avoid costly downtime and data breaches resulting from ICS security incidents.

6. Increased Compliance

With SCADAfence, organizations can easily comply with industry regulations and standards related to ICS security.

No. 4: Honeywell Forge

(Photo: Honeywell)

Honeywell Forge Cybersecurity is a comprehensive platform that safeguards IoT chain endpoints and provides a unified view of security data, making it easier for businesses to identify and mitigate risks. Honeywell offers solutions for businesses of all sizes and cybersecurity maturity levels.

Features

(Photo: Honeywell)

1. Compliance with Industry-standard Guidelines

Honeywell's scalable OT cybersecurity solutions, built on NIST SP 800-82 and other leading international standards, help your company stay compliant and leverage best practices to protect against OT security threats.

2. Risk Scoring

Honeywell Forge's risk-based security methodology offers a bird's-eye view of your network with event-risk pairs and scores. These risk scores help you zero in on your organization's specific risk factors and any violated security policies, if any. Through it, IT security teams can quickly prioritize and protect their most vulnerable assets to avoid downtime and organizational losses.

3. Historical and Real-time Data Collection

Honeywell Forge is designed to collect historical and real-time data and seamlessly merge them into SIEM products. Setting up alerts based on event types is also possible so the right teams can respond to them. One example is an alert routed to the security team for an OT security incident. This helps ensure that timely and accurate response is in place for all types of events based on past and present data that the Honeywell Forge system collects.

4. Remote Access

You can standardize and audit remote access to your industrial network with role-based and device-specific privileges. Additionally, you can secure OT-centric files and data with Honeywell Forge's built-in threat detection that inspects and monitors files in transit.

No. 5: Dragos

(Photo : Dragos)

Dragos is a powerful ICS/OT cyber security platform developed by ICS experts. It offers a suite of services, including threat intelligence training, professional OT security services, and platform training. The Dragos platform is pre-configured with best practices and designed to offer 24/7 protection and monitoring solutions for IoT environments.

Features

(Photo: Dragos)

1. Asset Visibility & Inventory

The Dragos Platform provides industrial cybersecurity teams with unparalleled asset visibility. Its customizable map with configurable zones visually displays assets, and historical timeline views show changes in device communications over time. The platform features asset map details that you can filter for focused analysis and readily available asset information like vendor, device type, and firmware version.

2. Threat Detection

Dragos Platform is known for its unparalleled ICS/OT threat detection that can rapidly pinpoint malicious behavior on your network. It also provides in-depth context of alerts and reduces false positives for better response during cyber attacks. Ultimately, the platform lowers costs associated with threat detection so you can allocate money to other operational concerns.

3. Vulnerability Management

The Dragos Platform's vulnerability management capabilities help customers identify and prioritize the most critical vulnerabilities to mitigate risk, reduce downtime, and allocate cybersecurity resources efficiently. Dragos says it is the most comprehensive and accurate OT vulnerability knowledge base.  The platform features prioritized guidance with a "Now, Next, Never" direction so teams know where to begin. It also demonstrates compliance with regulatory standards and industry frameworks, such as NERC CIP, NIST CSF, and ISO 27001.

4. Investigation & Response

Dragos investigation playbooks are a unique approach to investigating potential threats. They are custom-written by Dragos' threat operations team to provide step-by-step guidance to defenders, helping them start down the right path quickly and efficiently.

Conclusion

Enhancing your organization's OT security is a challenging task in itself and is something that you should never take lightly. However, when you have the right OT cybersecurity solution working for you, securing your entire OT system becomes easier and more achievable. But before you enjoy operational security and achieve peace of mind, you must first determine which among these top five best OT security solutions perfectly suits your operational technology security concerns. So, find out for yourself  which OT solution is responsive to your specific requirements.