Security News > 2024 > February > Unmanaged third-party access threatens OT environments

Ensuring secure access to OT environments is about more than just cybersecurity.

At the same time, more third-party vendors and contractors are being given remote access to OT environments.

73% of organizations permit third-party access to OT environments, with an average of 77 third parties per organization granted such access.

Challenges to securing third-party access include preventing unauthorized access, aligning IT and OT security priorities, and giving users too much privileged access.

At the same time, organizations depend on the specialized skills and subject matter expertise of third-party vendors to help keep operations running, but connecting these users and their devices to OT environments without implementing the proper access controls also increases risk.

"We are at a crucial point in the evolution of OT security, and the need to secure access to critical systems from internal and external threats is more urgent than ever. The stakes are exceptionally high, as a breach could jeopardize not just data but also the functioning of critical infrastructure, risking the safety of workers and the environment," said Joe O'Donnell, EVP of Corporate Development and GM of OT at Cyolo.

News URL

https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2024/02/27/ot-systems-threats/