Adrián Bíro
What happens when your critical infrastructure is 30 years old, but the cyber threats are from today?
That’s the core challenge of Operational Technology (OT) security.
I’m processing some fantastic insights from a DEF CON 33 talk on safeguarding our industrial frontier, and the key takeaway isn’t what you’d expect.
The panel “Safeguarding the Industrial Frontier OT SOC & Incident Response” highlighted the massive gap between traditional IT security and the realities of OT.
We’re not just protecting data; we’re protecting physical processes and human safety with equipment that was never designed for today’s threat landscape.
Here are my key takeaways:
- Legacy is Forever: OT equipment has a 30-40 year lifespan. You can’t just “rip and replace” a critical system, forcing defenders to make “mercenary decisions” about where to apply limited security resources.
- Context is King: A SOC analyst can’t tell if an alert is a cyber-attack or just a “rattlesnake on a power line.” Real security requires building personal relationships with field operators who have that important, ground-truth context.
- Justify with Risk: Security is a cost center. To get funding for an OT SOC, you must frame it to leadership as risk mitigation. Clearly present the threats and consequences, then ask what level of risk they are willing to accept.
The future of OT security isn’t just about better tools; it’s about blending our cyber defenses with on-the-ground human expertise. We must bridge the gap between the security operations center and the plant floor.