The IT/OT Convergence Strategy Playbook

Executive overview for critical infrastructure protection leaders

The industrial world you knew – relatively secure from cyberattacks – no longer exists.

The threats against critical infrastructure systems (CIS) and operational technology (OT) are growing in scope and sophistication. The same IT/OT convergence that is bringing down organizational silos and driving efficient and cost-effective manufacturing processes is also creating more vulnerabilities.

This playbook provides Armis’ guidance to help ICS and OT team leaders navigate the unique security challenges of this Industry 4.0 era. You will get insights on how to drive awareness to the importance of cybersecurity to business continuity and a roadmap to securing all your digital assets across OT and IT environments.

OT/IT convergence has already changed your industry. What’s next?

Digital transformation is shaping a new era of innovations across industries. Discover how IT/OT integration enables streamlined processes, bridging the divide between information technology and operations and, at the same time, opening the door for more sophisticated cyberattacks.

Read this article to explore the challenges and benefits of IT/OT alignment. You will learn how the Armis Agentless Device Security Platform helps organizations secure their industrial environments in this Industry 4.0 era.

And you thought air gaps would keep you secure…

The convergence between IT and OT systems has dissolved the air gap that in the past separated industrial control systems (ICS) from the internet and enterprise IT networks. Digital transformation, demand for real-time data, and the Internet of Things are all contributing to breaking down the silos between IT and OT data.

Delve into the cybersecurity implications of this Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and how to secure your operations from vulnerabilities you didn’t expect.

Why and how the White House wants to ramp up critical infrastructure protection

The U.S. government is taking a series of measures to bolster the nation’s cybersecurity. Initiatives include a cybersecurity executive order to modernize the federal government’s digital infrastructure and heavy nationwide investments in the bipartisan infrastructure bill.

Find out the challenges of securing critical infrastructure and what will be required from the private sector to help make these cybersecurity efforts successful.

A guide to securing IT and OT in industrial environments

OT/IT convergence and the proliferation of the Internet of Things (IoT) devices in industrial environments introduce a world of connectivity first, security second. Traditional approaches such as endpoint protection don’t address the technical challenges of securing industrial control systems (ICS) and OT.

We bring real-world examples to show you how compromised assets and uncontrolled networks expose manufacturers to a series of vulnerabilities. Download this resource to learn how to close the security blind spots in your industrial environment.

You can’t protect what you can’t see: A case for device and network infrastructure visibility

Comprehensive asset visibility is the first step to protect your network infrastructure from cyberattacks in the Industry 4.0 era. Security teams need to know what they have across both enterprise IT and the factory floor – but that’s not so simple because IoT and IIoT devices present unique cybersecurity challenges.

Check out our roadmap to effective cybersecurity asset management and control. Learn how Armis works with both managed and unmanaged devices, identifies when an asset behaves abnormally and helps orchestrate measures to reduce exposure.

Operational downtime explained: A case for passive monitoring

ICS, OT and IoT devices cannot be secured with traditional IT solutions because they cannot accommodate agents. Scans are disruptive and can lead to crashes and operational downtime. That’s why the best way to secure industrial environments is with agentless solutions that passively monitor devices and traffic on your network or in your airspace.

Get to know the difference between active and passive monitoring as we explain why plant managers must consider the cyber implications of the convergence between IT and OT/ICS.

What if I’m hacked? A case for network segmentation and automated incident response

Segmentation prevents attackers from moving laterally inside a network. In case of a breach, it’s crucial to have real-time policy enforcement and automated remediation to isolate devices, trigger alerts and initiate software updates.

Explore the importance of having mitigation strategies in place and discover how the Armis solution automatically generates segmentation policies to reduce risk exposure.

Get a risk assessment and learn what to prioritize

Use the Armis ICS Security Risk Assessment tool to see which devices on your network are most vulnerable to attacks.

By calculating the risk score of each device, the Armis platform helps IT and OT security teams prioritize vulnerabilities. These insights enable more effective risk mitigation plans and better compliance with regulatory frameworks.

Follow these cybersecurity frameworks to shield your operations

Some of the most important cybersecurity frameworks include Zero Trust, MITRE ATT&CK, CIS Controls, and NIST Cybersecurity Framework.

Discover the importance of regulatory compliance and security frameworks and how Armis provides coverage for all these frameworks.

How to implement the Zero Trust framework in an ICS environment

The implementation of the Zero Trust security model has become a hot topic in security circles. Even the White House is now pushing a federal Zero Trust strategy.

Check out this article to better understand the rising importance of this framework, which requires continuous verification of devices and users in order to keep access to resources on the network. Also, check out the steps for a successful Zero Trust deployment in industrial environments with Armis.

How to address the CIS Critical Security Controls

The CIS Controls – established by the Center for Internet Security (CIS) – are a set of actions that organizations should implement to block or mitigate known cyberattacks and malware. These controls are widely recognized for being effective and practical in helping to improve organizations’ security posture.

Discover the security gaps most organizations experience when implementing the CIS Controls and learn how Armis provides coverage for the common controls in ICS and OT environments.

How to get comprehensive coverage for the MITRE ATT&CK framework

MITRE ATT&CK for ICS is a framework that outlines the tactics, techniques and common procedures typically employed in attacks against operational technology and industrial control systems.

Get this white paper for an in-depth look at the MITRE ATT&CK for ICS framework. See which adversarial tactics listed in the MITRE framework can be detected, mitigated, and prevented using the Armis platform.

Do you think 2021 was the year of ransomware? Wait to see what happens in 2022

Navigate the current and future threat landscape. The takeaway is that OT security leaders should be worried about ransomware as global attack volumes hit a record high in 2021. Experts forecast a grimmer picture in 2022.

Read this article to overview the evolution of ransomware over the years and get a deeper understanding of why those attacks are on the rise. Learn how to safeguard your operations from the challenges ahead.

Best IT/OT alignment security practices moving forward

Take a look at the best cybersecurity practices and trends moving forward. In this Industry 4.0 era, it is crucial to deploy an agentless security platform that offers passive monitoring, asset discovery, risk assessment, automated incident response, and compliance to frameworks.

Make sure your OT/IT integration strategy includes reinforced cybersecurity measures. Learn what the Armis Agentless Device Security Platform can do for your operations.

Schedule a custom demo with Armis and be ready for the challenges ahead

Request a demo with Armis, and we will walk you through our award-winning agentless device security platform.

See how our solution provides comprehensive asset inventory, enhanced risk management, and automatic incident response for better cybersecurity.