The Board's Role in Cyber-Risk Management in OT Environments

This requires a multifaceted approach beginning with appreciating the unique challenges and risks associated with OT cybersecurity, including understanding the potential consequences of OT breaches and the importance of dedicated OT security leadership. Additionally, the chief information security officer (CISO), who typically manages enterprise cybersecurity risk, often lacks the specific expertise and training needed to manage cyber-risks in OT environments. By understanding the challenges of OT security, investing in dedicated expertise, and adopting a strategic and proactive approach, organizations can strengthen their defenses and safeguard their critical operations from the growing threat of cyberattacks. The next step is to develop a comprehensive OT cybersecurity program that includes elements such as risk assessments, vulnerability management, incident response planning, security awareness training, and continuous monitoring. Specialized firms can provide valuable guidance and support in navigating the complexities of OT cybersecurity, helping organizations align their security processes with business goals and achieve their desired security outcomes. Boards of directors play an important role in managing the strategic risks faced by their organizations, particularly in sectors with high-risk operational technology (OT) environments such as energy, transportation, manufacturing, and production. Boards of directors that recognize the need for separate but aligned programs for IT and OT cybersecurity, each led by their respective experts, will be able to address the specific characteristics and risks associated with each domain. Just as companies have dedicated leaders for managing environment health and safety risks (EH&S) or financial risks, they also need specialized leaders for OT security. More companies are recognizing this need and are creating dedicated roles for OT cybersecurity leaders, signaling a positive shift in prioritizing OT security. To gain a true picture of OT risks, boards may consider appointing a dedicated OT cybersecurity leader to collaborate closely with the CISO. This involves following industry standards for OT risk assessment and management, such as ISA/IEC 62443-3-2, which provides guidance on partitioning OT systems into security zones and developing credible risk scenarios. This committee may include key executives from operations, engineering, IT, and finance, fostering cross-functional collaboration to make sure that OT cybersecurity is integrated into the organization's overall risk management framework. While an IT breach might compromise data and financial assets, an OT breach can have serious consequences, including physical damage to equipment, disruption of critical processes, and even health, safety, and environmental impacts. These scenarios can be ranked based on their likelihood and potential impact, using the same scale the company uses for ranking other risks, ensuring consistency and allowing the board to understand the relative importance of different risks in a broader organizational context. With an evolving threat landscape, it's important to regularly review and update the OT cybersecurity strategy to confirm it remains effective, focusing on emerging threats, vulnerabilities, and best practices. However, understanding and managing cyber-risks in OT systems can be challenging for boards, often due to the cyber-physical nature of OT and its integration with information technology (IT). Organizations will need to invest in building internal OT cybersecurity expertise and/or partnering with specialized external providers. Keep up with the latest cybersecurity threats, newly discovered vulnerabilities, data breach information, and emerging trends. By taking several proactive steps, boards can improve their organization's resilience against cyberattacks and protect their critical OT assets. To address these challenges, organizations must consider adopting a risk-based approach to OT cybersecurity. By taking these proactive steps, boards can improve their organization's resilience against cyberattacks and protect their critical OT assets.

This Cyber News was published on www.darkreading.com. Publication date: Wed, 19 Feb 2025 15:00:17 +0000


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