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Explore why IoT and OT security should go hand-in-hand.

Imagine a world where machines and devices in factories, power plants, and critical infrastructure can communicate and operate seamlessly, increase efficiency, and reduce human error. This is the promise of IoT in operational technology (OT) environments. However, with this interconnected future comes a new array of security challenges.

As industries embrace IoT, the global market for the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is projected to grow from $147.2 billion in 2023 to $391.8 billion by 2028, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.6%, according to BCC Research. This means securing OT devices is more crucial than ever, and IoT holds great potential to provide extra protection against future attacks that are growing in complexity.

Security Concerns in OT Environments

OT environments face several security vulnerabilities and gaps that IoT can help fill. For example, many OT environments rely on legacy systems that are not safeguarded against intelligence systems and advanced technology. These older infrastructures lack modern security features, making them particularly susceptible to today’s attacks. Additionally, communication between these older OT devices often occurs without encryption, leaving sensitive data exposed to potential interception and unauthorized access.

Unlike IoT systems, traditional OT devices may not be updated regularly due to concerns about downtime and operational disruptions, resulting in outdated software that remains vulnerable. Plus, many OT systems often use proprietary communication protocols to support specific operations, which are ultimately challenging to secure and may not be compatible with contemporary security solutions. The physical aspect of OT environments also makes them susceptible to hardware attacks made by unauthorized personnel or ill-motivated employees with access to high-security areas.

If these weaknesses aren’t addressed, they can lead to an array of detrimental threats, including:

• Malware and Ransomware: Malicious software can infiltrate OT networks, disrupting operations and causing significant downtime and financial losses.
• Unauthorized Access: Hackers can exploit weak authentication mechanisms to gain unauthorized access to OT systems, potentially causing sabotage or stealing sensitive information.
• Insider Threats: Employees or contractors with malicious intent or who are careless can introduce security risks, intentionally or unintentionally compromising OT systems.
• Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks: DoS attacks can overwhelm OT networks, making critical systems unavailable to consumers and employees, thus halting industrial processes.
• Supply Chain Attacks: Attackers can exploit vulnerabilities in third-party software or hardware components used in supply chain environments, compromising the entire system.

With technology, there’s no such thing as being too safe. In fact, it’s always best to be several steps ahead with the latest developments in IoT and OT security.

How IoT Can Enhance OT Security

Transitioning from potential threats to solutions, here’s how IoT technology can enhance OT security:

• Real-Time Monitoring: IoT devices equipped with sensors can provide continuous real-time monitoring of OT environments, ensuring that issues are identified and addressed promptly to reduce the risk of significant damage.
• Predictive Maintenance: By analyzing this data, predictive maintenance algorithms can forecast when a piece of equipment is likely to fail or require maintenance, which helps to avoid unexpected breakdowns and extend the lifespan of assets.
• Improved Visibility and Control: IoT solutions typically provide a centralized platform for managing and monitoring OT systems, enabling admins to track the status and performance of each device and ensuring better control over the entire network.
• Anomaly Detection and Response: IoT systems can employ machine learning algorithms to learn the normal behavior of OT devices. Any deviation from this behavior can trigger alerts for further investigation before they escalate.

Offering a more proactive approach to security, IoT uses device connectivity and automation to maintain secure OT systems that would be otherwise challenging to maintain manually.

Best Practices for Integrating IoT with OT Security

Simply updating OT devices with IoT capabilities and solutions isn’t enough to keep an entire ecosystem safe. Ensure that your new IoT-fortified OT products work the way they should with these key practices.

Use Secure Communication Protocols

Secure communication protocols between IoT and OT devices are necessary to safeguard sensitive data. Protocols like TLS (Transport Layer Security) ensure that data transmitted between devices is encrypted and authenticated, preventing illicit access and data breaches. Also, consider using secure Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for data exchange so that only authorized applications and devices can communicate while keeping potential interceptors out.

Deploy Regular Software Updates

Regular updates and patches for both IoT and OT devices are crucial for mitigating vulnerabilities in software and firmware. Otherwise, hackers can exploit known bugs and security gaps to gain access to these assets. Be cognizant of potential weaknesses and deploy updates to fix them.

Enable Continuous Monitoring

IoT devices need to be able to ceaselessly collect real-time data in order to help users detect unusual activity in time. Ensure that your IoT products not only meet this need but seamlessly connect and relay this information to other devices in the same network. As a result, users can expect faster incident response and gain the necessary data and insights to future-proof security measures.

Fortify Your OT Devices with Telink

The integration of IoT technology into OT environments offers significant advantages for enhancing security. With Telink, developers can create IoT technologies that support OT systems for a robust IoT and OT security framework that keeps operational technology environments vigilant and resilient. Choosing the latest Telink SoC series, rest assured that your device will be fortified with top-of-the-line security features such as true random number generation, root of trust (RoT), and hardware encryption accelerator, to name a few. Plus, our solutions are designed to be compatible with the industry’s leading IoT protocols like Matter, Zigbee, Thread, and Bluetooth.

Don’t settle for simple — set the foundation for an impenetrable security framework with Telink.

Visit Telink’s wiki to learn more about our development tools, ask us a question through our Technical Forum, or contact us directly today.