OT – An Environment with Hidden Threats
Production systems are often complex, made up of both modern and legacy components. Where IT systems are regularly updated and maintained, OT environments are characterized by long equipment lifespans, infrequent updates, and proprietary protocols. In the past, OT systems were often physically isolated, but digitalization has led to increased integration with IT and external networks. While this enables better data access and operational efficiency, it also raises the risk of hidden vulnerabilities being exploited.
Also read: What happens if someone gains access to your production systems without you knowing?
“Cyberattacks have increased in both scope and sophistication—and they now hit OT environments harder than ever. There’s every reason to protect against this. The losses can quickly reach hundreds of millions, damage your reputation—or even lead to bankruptcy,” says Ove Konestabo, Security Advisor at Embriq.
The Invisible Risk Landscape in OT
IT attacks are typically noticed quickly: systems go down, data leaks, alarms go off. OT attacks, however, often creep in undetected. A compromised OT system can continue to operate almost normally for a long time—by which point the attacker may already have gained a foothold in your critical infrastructure.
This is because traditional IT security solutions are not necessarily suited for the specific demands of OT. Securing these environments requires specialized insight and an understanding of how to monitor OT systems without disrupting operations.
The Need for Holistic Insight
Many organizations have invested heavily in IT security but underestimate the complexity and risks in OT. There’s often a knowledge gap between IT teams and operations teams—especially in the interface between IT and OT.
Embriq addresses this with a holistic approach that identifies vulnerabilities and risks across platforms. This may include cases where OT equipment is directly accessible from the internet. Through tailored analysis, monitoring, and security mechanisms, we provide the insight needed to build resilient infrastructure.
Also read: Cyberattacks – The most expensive cost you haven’t budgeted for
“Embriq is a full-service IT provider, which means you get the assessment, protection, monitoring, and remediation needed to secure your production environment—24/7, 365 days a year,” Ove concludes.
When Should You Start?
Too many companies wait until something happens before taking action. Our recommendation: start with an assessment—not to find problems, but to find solutions. Only by seeing the full picture can you truly protect what matters most.
An assessment gives you concrete insight into your vulnerabilities and shows you how to quickly reduce your risk.
Contact us for an assessment—before the threat becomes reality!
Also read: The real cost of a cyberattack – how do you protect your business?
Learn more about how we work as a full-service IT provider for critical production environments.