Maximizing the Value of Your OT Vulnerability Assessment
An Operational Technology (OT) vulnerability assessment is a critical step in securing industrial environments by identifying and evaluating potential vulnerabilities and attack paths within networks and systems.
This process typically involves leveraging specialized tools to detect known vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, architectural weaknesses, and static analysis of the environment. The scope of an assessment can range from a specific subset of systems to the entire industrial environment.
While vulnerabilities are not actively exploited during these assessments, they are validated with a focus on uncovering as many potential attack paths as possible.
Understanding OT Vulnerability Assessments
Vulnerability assessments are considered active assessments because they interact with systems and devices. However, they have a lower impact compared to penetration testing since exploits are not executed.
The rules of engagement define the scope and interaction level to ensure the assessment is conducted safely without disrupting operations.
At Insane Cyber, we prioritize safety and reliability by collaborating closely with operations and engineering teams to gather crucial information without impacting industrial processes.
These assessments are white-box engagements, meaning the assessment team has internal access to system information, personnel, and network access to execute collection tools. To maximize the effectiveness of this assessment, organizations should have a foundational understanding of their environment and assets.
Key Components of an OT Vulnerability Assessment
A comprehensive OT vulnerability assessment typically consists of the following elements, which can be tailored based on specific customer needs and scope:
1. Control System Topology Review
Analyzing the overall control system architecture, including:
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Physical process control devices
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Supervisory control systems
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Engineering and support systems
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Business interfacing systems
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Underlying compute and storage infrastructure
2. Network Topology Review
Examining the networks that support industrial control systems, including:
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Network structure and configurations
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Traffic flows and monitoring
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Firewall rules and access control lists
3. Network Enumeration
Conducting a targeted analysis of in-scope subnets and assets using passive and active network tools. Tool outputs and configurations are examined to identify network-accessible vulnerabilities.
4. Host Enumeration
Scanning and inspecting host configurations with native and introduced tools to detect vulnerabilities based on:
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Host type
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Operating system
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Installed software
For critical systems where new processes cannot be executed, manual analysis is performed.
5. Industrial Device Enumeration
Assessing control devices and configurations to identify vulnerabilities and exploitable functionalities. If available, a nonproduction test device may be used for deeper analysis.
6. Active Directory (AD) Enumeration
Analyzing AD infrastructure to uncover vulnerabilities in:
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Authentication protocols
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Domain Naming Services (DNS)
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Group Policy configurations
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Certificate Authority (CA) services
This process helps identify potential attack paths by extracting valuable data such as user accounts, group memberships, and system configurations.
Deliverables: What You Get from an OT Vulnerability Assessment
Comprehensive Vulnerability Report
The primary deliverable of an OT vulnerability assessment is a detailed report containing:
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Identified vulnerabilities and attack paths
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Risk prioritization
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Impact analysis
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Supporting materials for technical teams, operations, and leadership
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Customized remediation recommendations tailored to your specific environment
At Insane Cyber, we recognize the challenges of implementing changes in industrial environments. That’s why we provide both short-term and long-term recommendations, focusing on people, processes, and technology to effectively mitigate vulnerabilities and prevent potential attack paths.
Interactive Collaboration with Your Team
Beyond the report, our team actively engages with your engineering, operations, and security teams throughout the assessment. As vulnerabilities are identified, we work together to:
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Discuss their impact
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Explore remediation strategies
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Share industry best practices
These collaborative sessions ensure that your team gains valuable insights and practical solutions to enhance your cybersecurity posture.
How to Maximize the Benefits of an OT Vulnerability Assessment
To get the most out of your assessment, consider the following best practices:
✅ Engage operations and engineering teams early to ensure buy-in and smooth cooperation.
✅ Clearly define goals, outcomes, and scope to align expectations.
✅ Establish clear rules of engagement and safe work practices to maintain operational integrity.
✅ Create communication channels where all activities can be quickly approved before execution.
✅ Ensure availability of key stakeholders from operations, engineering, IT, security, and leadership for effective information sharing.
By following these best practices and leveraging a structured approach, organizations can strengthen their security posture and reduce cyber risk in industrial environments.
Contact Insane Cyber today to learn more about how our OT vulnerability assessments can help secure your critical infrastructure!