OT environments integrate various devices such as PLCs, SCADA, controllers, sensors, and many others that are needed to perform operations. With increased integration of OT environments into IT networks and the cloud, there is a need to have security solutions that consider the characteristics of OT environments such as protocols, legacy systems, uptime, and operational safety.
Various OT security solutions exist with differing approaches including network monitoring, asset visibility, threat detection, segmentation, secure access, and incident response among others. Below are five companies providing varying OT security solutions.
What Should Companies Consider When Choosing an OT Cybersecurity Vendor?
Choosing the right OT cybersecurity solution is not about checking off basic IT security capabilities. It’s not so much about what it does, but whether it is secure enough for your industrial network, supports your environment, helps to detect the threats and ensures business continuity without introducing new risks.
- Visibility of OT Assets: Does it detect and monitor PLCs, SCADA systems and other connected devices?
- Industrial Protocols Support: Is it capable of recognizing common OT and ICS protocols?
- Threat Detection: Does it detect potential threats and anomalies?
- Network Segmentation: Can it segment systems and avoid unnecessary communication?
- Secure Remote Access: Is it capable of providing remote access to your employees, suppliers and service providers?
- Operational Resilience: Are you capable of applying security measures without harming your operations?
1. Fortinet
Best for: IT & OT Security Integration
Fortinet offers OT security as part of its overall security solution offering, including FortiGate ruggedized appliances, OT threat intelligence, segmentation and security control capabilities tailored for an industrial environment. Fortinet’s OT security strategy involves integration of network security and visibility/protection of both IT & OT environments.
Organizations evaluating OT cyber security companies can consider Fortinet when they need to connect industrial network protection with broader enterprise security capabilities.
Fortinet is relevant for manufacturing, energy, utilities, and other distributed industrial environments where centralized security management and network protection are important.
2. Nozomi Networks
Best for: OT Asset Visibility and Monitoring
Nozomi Networks is specialized in OT and IoT visibility and monitoring solutions, as well as cybersecurity services. The solution will help to find industrial assets, monitor network traffic, detect abnormalities, and evaluate potential threats for security.
The solution can be beneficial for businesses running many industrial facilities that require visibility of OT assets and network traffic.
Nozomi Networks will suit you best when asset discovery and monitoring are key components of your security strategy.
3. Claroty
Best for: Enterprise OT and XIoT Security
Claroty addresses the challenge of securing connected cyber physical systems within the realms of industry, healthcare, and others. This product suite is aimed at asset visibility, exposure management, threat detection, and secure access.
Such a solution may prove to be helpful for companies that want to gain insight into the security situation regarding their connected assets. Claroty may prove useful for those enterprises that have large and heterogeneous OT or XIoT environments.
4. Zscaler
Best for: Zero Trust OT Security
Zscaler expands its zero trust model to cover industrial settings, aiding in securing access to OT infrastructure, users, and devices. The solution includes OT visibility, segmentation, secure remote access, and access policy controls.
The strategy can be useful for companies that need to link their industrial sites but restrict access to critical systems to the necessary minimum.
Zscaler would be relevant for companies interested in combining OT security with zero trust access and cloud security management.
5. Sophos
Best for: Integrated Network and OT Security
Network security features offered by Sophos which may be useful in manufacturing and industrial setups include firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, secure remote access, and network security management.
The security product suite of Sophos can assist in securing industrial networks and integrating network security with endpoint and threat protection.
Sophos may be relevant to organizations that wish to integrate security controls across IT and OT environments.
Quick Comparison of OT Cybersecurity Companies
OT cybersecurity providers differ in their focus, from integrated network security and asset visibility to threat intelligence and OT-native protection. The table below provides a quick comparison.
| Company | Primary Focus | Key Capabilities |
| Fortinet | Integrated IT/OT security | Rugged security, segmentation, OT threat intelligence |
| Nozomi Networks | OT visibility | Asset discovery, monitoring, anomaly detection |
| Claroty | OT and XIoT security | Asset visibility, exposure management, threat detection |
| Dragos | Industrial threat intelligence | OT detection, threat intelligence, incident response |
| TXOne Networks | OT-native protection | Asset security, network protection, risk assessment |
How Can Businesses Strengthen OT Cybersecurity?
The protection of industrial networks is not about using a single security tool. Rather, businesses need to create security measures that fit within their operating environment and critical infrastructure, among other factors.
- Map OT Assets: Maintain visibility into PLCs, SCADA systems, controllers, and connected devices.
- Segment Critical Networks: Separate critical OT systems from unnecessary network traffic.
- Monitor Industrial Traffic: Look for unusual communication and changes in normal device behavior.
- Control Remote Access: Limit vendor and employee access based on identity, role, and business requirements.
- Manage Vulnerabilities: Identify weaknesses while considering the availability requirements of industrial systems.
- Prepare for Incidents: Maintain response procedures that account for operational and safety requirements.
- Review Security Periodically: Make updates to the security controls based on changes in the industrial network.
What Makes OT Cybersecurity Different From Traditional IT Security?
The OT cybersecurity is distinct from IT security because the operational priorities in an industrial environment include safety, reliability, and uninterrupted operation. Legacy systems, specialized protocols, and sensitive processes also demand well-thought-out controls. The following table illustrates the essential differences to be taken into account in OT cybersecurity.
| Security Consideration | Traditional IT Environment | OT Environment |
| Primary Priority | Data confidentiality and access control | Safety, reliability, and continuous operations |
| System Availability | Downtime may be manageable | Downtime can disrupt critical industrial processes |
| Legacy Systems | Systems are often updated regularly | Legacy equipment may need to remain operational for years |
| Protocols | Uses common IT and network protocols | Often relies on specialized industrial protocols |
| Monitoring | Active scanning and monitoring are commonly used | Passive monitoring may be preferred to avoid disrupting operations |
| Network Segmentation | Separates users, applications, and systems | Segments critical OT zones and industrial assets |
| Asset Visibility | IT assets are generally easier to identify and manage | OT environments may contain diverse and legacy devices |
| Security Deployment | Security tools can often be deployed with fewer operational constraints | Controls must be introduced carefully to avoid affecting safety or production |
Thus, the security controls of OT cybersecurity should consider asset visibility, passive monitoring, segmentation, protocol awareness, and secure deployment along with traditional security controls.
Final Thoughts
The industry requires control networks to have solutions for security, which should be able to give security for these networks but should not affect any crucial activities. There are various approaches followed by these industries like zero trust, network security, threat protection, and centralization. The approach that should be chosen depends upon the nature of the industrial network of the organization and its other security and connectivity needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is OT cybersecurity?
OT cybersecurity involves the process of securing operational technology devices including PLCs, SCADA systems, industrial controllers, and production machinery against cyber threats while ensuring operational continuity.
2. Why is OT cybersecurity important for industrial networks?
Industrial systems may possess legacy devices and technologies that are hard to patch or disconnect from the network. Thus, OT cybersecurity enables organizations to monitor and control their environments and minimize security risks.
3. What should businesses look for in an OT cybersecurity company?
Key features may include asset visibility, industrial protocol expertise, threat detection, network segmentation, remote access security, vulnerability management, and incident response.
4. Can OT cybersecurity solutions protect legacy industrial systems?
Many OT security approaches are designed to provide visibility and network-level protection without requiring changes to older industrial equipment. However, the appropriate deployment depends on the systems, architecture, and operational requirements of each environment.