The Importance of Complete Visibility in OT Environments

You can’t protect what you don’t know.

This is a phrase we may have heard time and again in security discussions, but what does it really mean in the context of industrial cybersecurity? If we look at the world of Operational Technology (OT), where machines, sensors, control systems, and industrial networks coexist, this truth becomes even more significant.

Organizations that depend on OT environments, such as factories, power plants, and critical infrastructure companies, face unique challenges. Cyber threats are growing at an alarming rate, yet often, we don’t even know which devices are connected to our industrial networks. It’s like trying to protect your home without knowing how many doors or windows you have.

The Blind Spots in OT: An Invisible Danger

Imagine a large warehouse filled with heavy machinery, robots, and sensors automating every small step of the operation. Now imagine being asked to protect them while blindfolded. Not knowing how many assets you have, where they are located, and how they communicate with each other is like moving blindly in a space full of risks.

Unfortunately, this is the reality in many OT environments. Most companies do not have a complete view of their assets. This is not due to negligence, but to the complexity of industrial systems. In the past, many of these environments operated in isolation, disconnected from the outside world. But with the rise of digital transformation and the Internet of Things (IoT), more and more devices are being connected, creating a massive network of assets that security teams were not even aware of.

According to recent studies, more than 70% of industrial organizations do not have a full inventory of their OT assets. These "blind spots" open the door to potential attacks that could cripple operations, damage infrastructure, or, in the worst case, put human lives at risk.

The Hidden World of Industrial Devices

For those unfamiliar with the world of OT, it may be easy to think that industrial systems are not as vulnerable to cyberattacks as computers or servers. But the reality is that OT devices, such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs), SCADA systems, sensors, and other industrial devices, are increasingly connected to corporate networks and thus exposed to the same threats.

But here’s the key problem: Most of these devices weren’t designed to connect to the internet or handle the sophisticated cyber threats we face today. Many are legacy systems that are decades old and lack basic security measures, such as strong authentication or encryption.

This means that an attacker who exploits a vulnerability in a small sensor or unmonitored device could, in theory, compromise the entire OT network, with catastrophic consequences. And the first step to preventing this is knowing that these devices exist.

It’s Not Just About Security, It’s Also About Efficiency

OT asset visibility is not only important from a security perspective; it’s also key to improving operational efficiency.

Think of an engineer trying to diagnose a problem in a production line. If they don’t know exactly how many devices are involved, what software versions they’re running, or when they were last updated, their job becomes much harder and more expensive. The lack of visibility delays troubleshooting, increases downtime, and affects the company’s ability to operate optimally.

Having a clear and up-to-date inventory of all OT assets provides operations teams with a powerful tool to better manage resources, plan maintenance, and avoid unexpected disruptions.

The Challenge of Mapping Assets in Complex OT Environments

Now, you might be asking: “Why is it so difficult to gain visibility in OT environments?”

Unlike traditional IT environments, where monitoring and scanning solutions are well established, OT environments present a series of unique challenges:

• Legacy Technology: Many machines and devices in OT were designed long before cybersecurity was a concern. These systems weren’t built to be monitored or protected in the same way we do with modern IT systems.
• Critical and Isolated Environments: In some cases, OT networks are geographically or even physically isolated (air-gapped). This means that it’s not easy or safe to install additional hardware or software to gain visibility.
• Risk of Disruptions: OT systems are often highly sensitive and don’t tolerate interruptions well. Scanning the network to identify devices could ironically cause problems or even halt production.

Solutions for Mapping the OT Environment: From Traditional to Modern

Gaining complete visibility into OT assets has long been a complex challenge. As industrial environments expand and OT devices (such as sensors, controllers, and connected machinery) multiply, the need for a thorough inventory of all connected devices becomes more critical.

But how was this mapping done before, and what emerging technologies allow us to do it more efficiently today?

The Traditional Approach: Manual and Limited Inventories

Just a decade ago, OT asset mapping was mostly a manual process and, in many cases, incomplete. Companies relied on physical records or spreadsheets to keep track of their devices. This method was problematic for several reasons:

1. Constant Outdating: Devices were added, removed, or modified, but these changes were rarely accurately reflected in the inventory.
2. Partial Visibility: Only the most critical or frequently maintained assets were included in these records. "Invisible" devices, such as sensors or small controllers, were often not mapped.
3. Human Error Risks: Relying on manual processes, records could contain typos, miscategorized devices, or even complete omissions.
4. Lack of Context: This inventory didn’t allow for deep analysis of device communication or provide useful cybersecurity information.

The arrival of connectivity in OT environments, where more and more devices are interconnected and operate over industrial networks, began to make it clear that this traditional method was no longer sufficient. Blind spots and errors were not just operational inefficiencies but security vulnerabilities.

The Evolution: Advanced Tools for OT Asset Discovery

With the rise of digital transformation, OT asset visibility solutions have evolved significantly. Below are some of the main modern technologies that allow for a complete inventory of OT assets and have changed how companies map and protect their industrial environments:

1. Passive Network Monitoring (SPAN/TAP): This technique uses a copy of network traffic to monitor device communication in real time. It’s a non-intrusive solution that identifies devices, analyzes their behavior, and establishes a baseline of their normal activity without disrupting workflows. This approach is ideal for critical OT environments, as it doesn’t generate system interruptions.
2. Project and Configuration File Analysis: Many OT systems rely on configuration files (such as those used in PLCs and SCADA) that contain details about connected devices. Analyzing these files can provide an exhaustive view of the system’s structure, its devices, and each one’s specific configuration.
3. Safe Queries to OT Devices: This method sends specific communications to devices to discover key details without affecting operations. Queries are made using native protocols, ensuring no damage to systems or production interruptions.
4. Edge Computing Tools: Solutions like Claroty Edge allow for a rapid inventory of assets in minutes without requiring network changes or additional hardware. This is especially useful in isolated or segmented networks, where physical access to devices is difficult.
5. Integration with SIEM and CMDB Platforms: Integrating asset visibility solutions with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) platforms or Configuration Management Databases (CMDB) enriches the context of each device, facilitates incident management, and generates automatic alerts when unknown devices or abnormal behaviors are detected.

Integration with Asset Management Solutions A crucial element to maximize the value of OT asset visibility is its integration with asset and maintenance management platforms. Modern solutions not only enable the discovery and mapping of assets, but they can also feed systems like CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems) or ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) with updated information on each device, its status, and any potential vulnerabilities.

This integration facilitates:

• Predictive maintenance: By knowing in real time which devices require attention, maintenance can be scheduled before critical failures occur, minimizing downtime.
• Resource optimization: With a complete and unified view of assets, the inventory of parts and spares can be better managed, avoiding unnecessary purchases or shortages that could delay operations.
• Regulatory compliance: Integration with management platforms allows for the automatic generation of reports for audits, demonstrating that the company complies with security standards and current regulations.

Visibility as the First Step Towards OT Cybersecurity Maturity Asset visibility in the OT world is much more than just a best practice: it’s an urgent necessity in an environment where cyberattacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated and the consequences of a breach can be devastating.

Without a clear inventory of all connected devices, companies are operating blindly, unaware of how many vulnerable entry points they have. But beyond security, visibility also offers significant value in terms of operational efficiency and business continuity.

In the following articles, we will explore how continuous monitoring and proper segmentation of OT networks can turn this visibility into a truly proactive defense strategy, ensuring that you not only detect threats in time but also act swiftly to minimize the impact.

"Visibility is not just about seeing what you have; it's about understanding how everything connects and how you can protect it better. It’s the first step toward a safer and more efficient future in OT."