Top 5 Cybersecurity Threats to Oil & Gas, and How to Protect Against Them 

As cyber adversaries grow more sophisticated in targeting critical industrial infrastructure, the need for robust cybersecurity measures has never been more important. The Global Oil and Gas Threat Perspective report from Dragos WorldView offers a deep dive into cyber threats facing the oil and gas sector.

This blog post explores the findings in this report, focusing on top threat scenarios and the crucial role of asset visibility and risk-based vulnerability management. 

Industrial Cyber Threats Targeting Oil & Gas 

Our global oil and gas threat report identifies several critical attack scenarios that pose significant risks to the oil and natural gas sector. Here are summaries of the top five attack scenarios detailed in this report. 

1 | OT Network Remote Access Exploitation 

• The OT Cyber Threat: Adversaries exploit vulnerabilities in remote access technologies to gain unauthorized access to operational technology (OT) networks 
• System Weaknesses: Inadequate security controls for remote access points, such as virtual private networks (VPNs) and remote desktop protocols (RDPs) 
• Targeted Assets: OT network devices, industrial control systems, and critical infrastructure components 
• Impact: Unauthorized access can lead to data exfiltration, manipulation of control systems, and potential disruption of critical operations 
• OT Cybersecurity Countermeasures: Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all remote access points, regularly update and patch remote access software, and monitor remote access activity for suspicious behavior.

2 | Disruptive or Destructive Ransomware Events 

• The OT Cyber Threat: Ransomware attacks that encrypt data and disrupt operations, with some variants designed for impacts to OT systems 
• System Weaknesses: Poor network segmentation, lack of robust backup and recovery processes, and inadequate response plans 
• Targeted Assets: IT and OT systems, including control systems, data storage, and critical operational software 
• Impact: Operational downtime, financial losses, data loss, and potential physical damage to infrastructure 
• OT Cybersecurity Countermeasures: Establish a comprehensive incident response plan, implement regular data backups and test recovery procedures, and enhance network segmentation to isolate critical OT systems from IT networks

3 | OT Cloud Compromise 

• The OT Cyber Threat: Adversaries exploit vulnerabilities in cloud-based OT systems to gain access to operational data and control systems 
• System Weaknesses: Reliance on cloud providers for security, lack of visibility into cloud environments, and insufficient security controls for cloud-based OT systems 
• Targeted Assets: Cloud-hosted OT systems, data storage, and control applications 
• Impact: Unauthorized access to sensitive operational data, potential manipulation of control systems, and disruption of cloud services 
• OT Cybersecurity Countermeasures: Implement strong access controls and encryption for cloud-based OT systems, conduct regular security assessments of cloud environments, and ensure continuous monitoring and logging of cloud activities 

4 | Supply Chain Compromise 

• The OT Cyber Threat: Adversaries target third-party vendors and suppliers to gain access to the primary target’s OT network 
• System Weaknesses: Inadequate security controls and oversight of third-party vendors, lack of visibility into the supply chain, and insufficient vetting of supplier security practices 
• Targeted Assets: OT systems and networks connected to third-party vendors, including software and hardware components. 
• Impact: Unauthorized access to critical systems, data exfiltration, and potential disruption of operations through compromised supply chain components 
• OT Cybersecurity Countermeasures: Implement stringent security requirements for third-party vendors, conduct regular security audits of suppliers, and establish clear protocols for managing third-party access to OT networks 

5 | Joint Ventures 

• The OT Cyber Threat: Cybersecurity risks arising from collaborative networks and shared resources in joint ventures 
• System Weaknesses: Lack of proper network segmentation and security controls between joint venture partners and insufficient monitoring of joint venture activities 
• Targeted Assets: Shared OT and IT systems, collaborative platforms, and joint operational data 
• Impact: Unauthorized access to sensitive data, potential disruption of joint operations, and increased risk of cyber attacks through less secure partner networks 
• OT Cybersecurity Countermeasures: Establish clear security protocols and access controls for joint venture networks, implement network segmentation to isolate joint venture activities, and continuously monitor and audit joint venture operations for security compliance 

Improve Your Cyber Defense with OT Asset Visibility & Risk-Based Vulnerability Management 

In addition to understanding threat scenarios, maintaining robust cybersecurity in the oil and gas sector requires a clear understanding of the assets within the OT environment and a strategic approach to managing vulnerabilities.

• Comprehensive asset visibility involves identifying and monitoring all devices, systems, and components within OT networks. This visibility is crucial for understanding the network, detecting adversary behaviors, and improving incident response. Without comprehensive detection, logging, and monitoring, defenders are ill-equipped to leverage the advantage of detecting adversaries’ extended dwell time in industrial systems.
  
  For example, the report notes that adversaries like VOLTZITE focus on collecting operational information about OT environments, underscoring the need for enhanced visibility to detect and respond to espionage activities. 
  
  
• Risk-based vulnerability management prioritizes vulnerabilities based on the risk they pose to the organization. This approach ensures that resources are focused on addressing the most critical vulnerabilities first. The report highlights a 15 percent increase in total vulnerabilities from 2022 to 2023, with ICS-specific vulnerabilities increasing by 57 percent.
  
  The growing risk in this domain demands a strategic approach to vulnerability management where not all vulnerabilities can or should be addressed. By assessing the risk associated with each vulnerability and prioritizing remediation efforts on those vulnerabilities that matter most, organizations can reduce weaknesses in their attack surface and enhance their overall security posture. 
  
  Discover more on how to manage vulnerabilities affecting operational technology (OT) in oil and gas in our recent infographic.
  

Download the Global Oil & Gas Threat Perspective

By understanding and addressing intelligence-driven threat scenarios proactively and implementing asset visibility and risk-based vulnerability management practices, oil and gas organizations can significantly enhance their resilience against cyber threats.

Get the full report for a comprehensive understanding of the threats and detailed recommendations. 

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