What You Need in ICS Network Visibility & Monitoring Software

Industrial Control Systems (ICS) network visibility and monitoring is essential for maintaining the security and integrity of operational technology (OT) environments.  

It can be difficult to identify the most important requirements, features, and functionalities when evaluating software to monitor your ICS networks. The Dragos Buyer’s Guide for ICS Network Visibility & Monitoring helps you understand and prioritize the capabilities that matter most. The guide serves as a checklist to prioritize your investments and help you ensure smart, efficient resource allocation within your cybersecurity budget.  

Critical Requirements for ICS Network Monitoring Solutions 

Here are the most important requirements, features, and functionalities to consider when evaluating ICS network monitoring solutions: 

Core Requirements

• Protocol Understanding: Ensure the solution supports a wide range of ICS-specific protocols such as Modbus, BACnet, OPC UA, and CIP2. 
• Real-Time Monitoring: The ability to monitor network traffic and device behavior in real-time is crucial for early threat detection. 
• Integration: Seamless integration with existing IT and OT systems is essential for a unified security posture. 
• Compliance: The solution should provide reporting that helps align with regulatory compliance requirements. 

Critical Features

• Asset Visibility & Inventory: Comprehensive visibility into devices in OT environments, maintaining an up-to-date inventory and understanding the network topology. 
• Threat Detection: Monitoring network traffic and device behavior to detect threat behaviors in real-time, using OT-specific cyber threat intelligence. 
• Vulnerability Management: Identifying and prioritizing vulnerabilities in the OT environment for proactive risk mitigation. 
• Investigation & Response: Tools for forensic investigation and incident management, providing strong visualization of data and step-by-step playbooks. 

Vendor Requirements

• Experience and Expertise: Look for vendors with a proven track record in ICS cybersecurity and specific OT expertise. 
• Support and Training: Ensure the vendor offers comprehensive training and ongoing support for their tools and technologies. 
• Scalability and Integration: The solution should scale with your organization’s needs and integrate seamlessly with existing systems. 
• Cost-Effectiveness: Evaluate if the vendor’s solutions are cost-effective and within your budget, covering all necessary use cases. 

How to Prioritize Your Cybersecurity Investments

When prioritizing investments in ICS network visibility and monitoring solutions, focus on vendors that offer robust support, advanced threat detection capabilities, and seamless integration with existing systems. Ensure the solution provides real-time monitoring, comprehensive asset visibility, and strong compliance reporting to maintain the security and efficiency of your ICS infrastructure. 

By considering the key points outlined in the Dragos Buyer’s Guide for ICS Network Visibility & Monitoring, organizations can make informed decisions to enhance their industrial network security and operational resilience.

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