75% of Critical Infrastructure Organizations Endorse ‘Secure by Operations’ Strategy to Defend Against OT Cyberattacks

Secure by Operations: The New Standard for OT Cybersecurity in Industrial Automation

A recent Forrester Consulting study reveals critical gaps in operational technology security. The research shows 91% of organizations experienced OT breaches despite existing security measures. These incidents caused significant operational disruptions and financial losses across critical infrastructure sectors.

The Alarming State of OT Security Breaches

Industrial automation systems face unprecedented cybersecurity challenges. According to the study, 91% of organizations suffered OT breaches within 18 months. Consequently, 51% experienced service interruptions while 49% reported revenue losses. Moreover, 53% faced substantial reputational damage from these security incidents.

Critical Gaps in Current Security Approaches

Most organizations still use inadequate protection methods for their control systems. The study found that 51% rely solely on traditional IT security practices. Additionally, only 40% maintain 24/7 monitoring for OT cyber threats. Therefore, these gaps leave critical infrastructure vulnerable to sophisticated attacks.

Secure by Operations: A Proactive Solution

This new approach integrates cybersecurity directly into operational environments. Secure by Operations emphasizes continuous, proactive security throughout system lifecycles. Key benefits include:

• 53% faster recovery time from security incidents
• 51% reduction in capital expenditure
• 50% improvement in company reputation
• 45% gain in operational efficiency
• 44% better regulatory compliance

The MSSP Advantage in Industrial Security

Managed security service providers offer crucial expertise for OT environments. They help organizations bridge the skills gap in industrial automation security. Furthermore, MSSPs provide specialized staffing and continuous monitoring capabilities. This partnership model strengthens security postures significantly.

Expert Perspective: Closing the IT-OT Security Gap

Schneider Electric’s Jay Abdallah emphasizes the urgency for action. He states modern cyber incidents surpass purely technical interruptions. They erode trust and threaten financial stability. Therefore, organizations must combine internal capabilities with external partnerships.

Practical Implementation Strategies

Industrial organizations should adopt these key security measures:

• Implement continuous monitoring for PLC and DCS systems
• Develop integrated IT-OT security protocols
• Establish 24/7 threat detection capabilities
• Partner with specialized OT security providers
• Conduct regular security assessments

According to PLCDCSHUB analysis, organizations that implement these measures see 40% faster threat detection. For comprehensive security solutions for your control systems, visit PLCDCSHUB.

The Future of Industrial Cybersecurity

Secure by Design principles must evolve into Secure by Operations practices. This shift requires ongoing maintenance throughout technology lifecycles. Moreover, it demands specialized expertise in industrial control systems. As a result, organizations can achieve both security and operational excellence.

About Schneider Electric

Schneider Electric drives sustainability and efficiency through industrial technology. The company delivers integrated solutions across electrification, automation and digitalization. Their global ecosystem serves customers in over 100 countries with deep domain expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the main difference between Secure by Design and Secure by Operations?
Secure by Design focuses on building security into systems during development. Secure by Operations emphasizes continuous security throughout the entire operational lifecycle.

Why are traditional IT security measures insufficient for OT environments?
OT environments require real-time operation and have different protocols than IT systems. They need specialized security that doesn’t interrupt industrial processes.

How quickly can organizations implement Secure by Operations strategies?
Implementation timelines vary, but most organizations see significant improvements within 6-12 months. Partnering with experienced MSSPs can accelerate this process.

Tags: OT cybersecurity solutions, industrial automation security, secure by operations, PLC security best practices, DCS protection strategies, critical infrastructure protection, IT-OT security integration, industrial control system security, operational technology protection, cybersecurity for manufacturing