Cyber Security Awareness
In today’s increasingly interconnected landscape, cyber threats are no longer confined to traditional IT environments. Critical infrastructure, like power grids, water treatment plants, and manufacturing lines, relies heavily on Operational Technology (OT), making OT Security more essential than ever. To build resilience in these environments, organizations must prioritize cyber security awareness at every level. This article explores how OT Security and cyber security awareness intersect to defend our most vital systems.
Why OT Security Awareness Matters
Operational Technology (OT) security awareness is crucial for individuals and organizations that rely on Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems to operate and manage critical infrastructure. Unlike traditional Information Technology (IT) systems, OT involves the control and monitoring of physical processes and equipment, such as manufacturing plants, power grids, and water treatment facilities.
Cyber Security Awareness: A Nationwide Initiative
The U.S. has observed the month of October as the ‘National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM),’ since 2003, as a reminder to various industrial and manufacturing stakeholders, including supply chain vendors, to pause and analyze their cybersecurity environment. The intention behind this is to drive organizations to analyze their cyber security awareness and carry out necessary measures that will help to streamline and update their cybersecurity posture.
The past year has shown a sharp rise in sophisticated attacks targeting OT environments. Encouraging cyber security awareness within these environments helps prevent breaches, safeguard physical assets, and protect critical operations. It also ensures that employees and vendors alike are informed about the risks and responsibilities tied to their digital and physical activities.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is co-led by the National Cyber Security Alliance and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This year’s overarching theme for the month was focused on ‘Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart,’ which aims to direct individuals and organizations to own their role in protecting their part of cyberspace, stressing personal accountability, and the importance of taking proactive steps to enhance cybersecurity.
OT Visibility: The Foundation of OT Security Awareness
OT Security Awareness must include a focus on visibility. In Industry 4.0 environments, where OT and IT systems are increasingly integrated, having a clear view of all connected devices is essential for managing cybersecurity risks.
However, many organizations struggle with visibility. Legacy OT systems were not built with cybersecurity in mind, and traditional tools like agent-based solutions or network scanning often don’t work in these environments. As a result, nearly 90% of enterprises have limited or no visibility into their OT networks.
This lack of visibility is a critical weakness. Cyber attackers exploit this blind spot at the physical layer, deploying rogue or spoofed devices that evade detection. These devices can infiltrate even highly secure, air-gapped environments and operate undetected—posing a direct threat to OT Security.
How Sepio Enhances OT Security Visibility
To achieve strong OT Security, organizations must first gain complete visibility into their assets. Without this, they cannot effectively manage risks, enforce security policies, or detect unauthorized access.
Sepio provides a comprehensive visibility solution specifically designed for OT environments. By identifying all devices, authorized or not, at the physical layer, Sepio helps eliminate blind spots, expose rogue hardware, and ensure that only trusted devices can interact with critical systems.
This visibility is foundational to cyber security awareness and OT Security strategy. It empowers organizations to shift from reactive defenses to proactive control, significantly reducing exposure to hardware-based threats.
As industrial and critical infrastructure environments become more digitized, the convergence of OT Security and cyber security awareness is not optional, it’s essential. Visibility, employee education, and proactive initiatives like NCSAM all contribute to a more secure and resilient future.
Read the full article on industrialcyber.co
