Open Source Doesn’t Mean Free in OT Security

Download our free white paper to discover the true costs of open-source OT security tools – and a smarter hybrid approach. 

OT security leaders will learn where open-source tools save money – and where they quietly drain resources.

Open-source tools like Suricata, Zeek, and Wireshark are foundational to OT security—but the real cost isn’t the software.

This white paper reveals: 

  • Where open-source tools shine in OT security (and where they struggle).

  • The often overlooked operational costs of maintaining open-source in industrial environments.

  • Why a hybrid approach (open source + commercial support) can lower your total cost and risk.

For CISOs, these hidden tool costs can translate into budget overruns and security gaps; for OT analysts, they mean constant fine-tuning and burnout.

Open Source Is Powerful — But OT Changes the Equation

Open-source cybersecurity tools have become essential for gaining visibility into OT environments where proprietary protocols, legacy systems, and limited monitoring capabilities are the norm. For organizations starting from near-zero visibility, open source provides a fast and flexible starting point.

But “free” tools come with real costs.

In OT environments, open source demands:

  • Specialized protocol expertise
  • Continuous tuning and rule maintenance
  • Deep packet analysis and detection engineering
  • Ongoing upkeep with no guaranteed support

For teams already facing budget constraints and a shortage of OT cybersecurity talent, these hidden costs can often exceed commercial solutions.

Download today to understand the hidden operational, staffing, and maintenance costs undermining OT cybersecurity programs