How Risk-Based Vulnerability Management Is a Game-Changer for OT Cybersecurity 

From legacy systems to the convergence of OT, IT, and IoT, the attack surface is expanding, and traditional IT security approaches fall short. Enter risk-based vulnerability management for OT – a paradigm shift that’s revolutionizing how we protect critical industrial control systems. 

Operational technology (OT) environments are not your typical IT networks. They demand solutions that prioritize: 

• Operational continuity 
• Safety 
• 24/7 uptime

These requirements make conventional patch-all strategies impractical and potentially dangerous. Downtime in OT environments can cost millions or even jeopardize human safety. 

A Framework for Success 

A comprehensive approach to OT vulnerability management involves several key components: 

• Asset Inventory and Network Mapping: You can’t protect what you don’t know exists. A thorough inventory of all assets – from PLCs to IoT sensors – coupled with network mapping provides the foundation for effective security. 
• Centralized Vulnerability Tracking: Manage vulnerabilities across their entire lifecycle, from discovery to resolution, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. 
• Risk-Based Prioritization of Vulnerabilities: Not all vulnerabilities are created equal. Focus on those that pose the highest operational risk, considering both technical severity and potential impact on industrial processes. 
• Threat Intelligence-Driven Mitigation: Leverage OT-specific threat intelligence to stay ahead of emerging risks and adapt your strategy in real-time. 
• Flexible Mitigation Options: When patching isn’t immediately possible, employ alternative strategies like network segmentation or enhanced monitoring to reduce risk.

The Power of the Dragos Platform 

Implementing a risk-based approach to OT vulnerability management requires powerful tools designed specifically for industrial environments. The Dragos Platform offers: 

• OT-native passive monitoring for non-disruptive asset discovery 
• Real-time threat intelligence updates 
• Visualization of potential attack paths 
• Centralized vulnerability management across teams 
• Automated reporting for compliance requirements

A Real-World Scenario 

Imagine a power distribution company that initially classifies a vulnerability in a substation relay as low priority. However, threat intelligence from Dragos alerts the team that adversaries are actively exploiting this vulnerability in similar environments. Recognizing the potential for service disruption, the team quickly escalates the issue, applies network segmentation, and schedules a priority patch – all without interrupting operations. 

Your Next Step 

As industrial systems become more complex and interconnected, a risk-based approach to vulnerability management is no longer optional – it’s essential in industrial cybersecurity. By focusing on what matters most to your operations, you can effectively protect critical systems while maintaining the continuity and safety that are paramount in OT environments. 

Ready to transform your approach to OT cybersecurity? Download our comprehensive guide on risk-based vulnerability management for OT with step-by-step guidance on implementing this game-changing strategy.