Industrial cyber security

Compliance isn't the goal. It’s the baseline. The OT Security Compliance principle in the Industrial Cyber Security Principle Method™ helps organisations not only meet regulatory obligations but do it in a way that supports real security outcomes, not just box-ticking. Because let’s be clear: meeting compliance doesn’t mean your systems are secure.  But ignoring compliance? ...

If you’re securing OT with an IT playbook, you’re already behind. The OT Security Focused principle in the Industrial Cyber Security Principle Method™ demands total commitment to the unique world of operational technology. That means no shortcuts, no IT-first thinking, and no generic security measures shoehorned into systems they were never designed for. Industrial environments face a...

When it comes to securing critical infrastructure, cutting corners is a liability. The Methodical principle in the Industrial Cyber Security Principle Method™ is all about resisting the urge to rush, skip steps, or settle for one-size-fits-all solutions. Too often, organisations believe they’re doing enough complying with standards, checking boxes, and deploying tools they think will...

In industrial cyber security, one of the most pervasive and costly mistakes is the belief that buying a security tool equates to solving a problem. This mindset—referred to as the ‘technology-first approach’—is not merely misguided; it's dangerous. It results in wasted investments, misaligned priorities, and ultimately, an OT security posture that is no more resilient...

Industrial cyber security is complex. Organisations managing critical infrastructure and Operational Technology (OT) face constant pressure from evolving cyber threats. In response, many organisations adopt a one-size-fits-all, or "blanket," approach—applying uniform security measures across all systems, facilities, and operational processes. On the surface, this might seem sensible, even efficient. After all, standardisation simplifies implementation, reduces...

Successful industrial cybersecurity isn’t solely about securing individual OT systems—it’s about establishing a cohesive, organisation-wide defence. That’s the core of the Enterprise-Wide principle in the Industrial Cyber Security Principle Method™. Many organisations adopt a piecemeal approach to security, treating various OT environments in isolation. This fragmented strategy leads to gaps, increases inefficiencies, and undermines overall...

Industrial cyber security isn’t merely about applying the same level of security controls to all systems; it’s about prioritising protection where it counts the most. That’s the crux of the Risk-Based principle in the Industrial Cyber Security Principle Method™. Organisations often treat all OT assets as equal when it comes to security, applying uniform controls...

When we discuss industrial cyber security, we usually focus on technology. We hear about OT firewalls, encryption, sophisticated OT monitoring systems, and the latest tools to detect and neutralise threats. Yet, amid all this technological brilliance, the most critical factor often gets overlooked: people. This isn’t just a nice-to-have consideration. The crux is whether your...

Cyber security in industrial environments isn’t solely about firewalls, intrusion detection, or access controls—it’s about ensuring that the business itself stays operational, secure, and competitive. That’s why Business-Driven is the foremost principle in the Industrial Cyber Security Principle Method™. Organisations often treat Operational Technology (OT) security as just a technical task, rolling out solutions without...

In Industrial Cyber Security, many organisations fall into common pitfalls: jumping prematurely to technology solutions first; applying blanket security controls to all systems, ignoring the unique risks posed by individual components; not being able to address communication gaps between IT and OT teams; and tending to underestimate the ongoing effort required to manage OT cyber...

Operational Technology (OT) cyber security is not merely a technical necessity; it is vital for industries that support modern society. When the stakes involve halting critical infrastructure or endangering public safety, the requirement for specialised approaches becomes evident. While effective in their realm, traditional Information Technology (IT) solutions fall short in tackling the unique challenges...

In today’s world, cyber threats are evolving at an alarming rate, and critical infrastructure operators face unprecedented challenges. Yet, too often, Operational Technology (OT) security is left to outdated or IT-centric strategies that simply don’t fit. That’s where The Industrial Cyber Security Principle Method™ comes in.  This white paper reveals a proven, structured methodology designed to meet...

“The ICS [Industrial Control System] community, as a whole, does not fully understand the extent of the possibilities available to an attacker. The industry must approach the problem of ICS attacks as they do equipment prognostics. It is not a matter of if it will fail, but when it will fail, and the community must...

There is a lot of rhetoric spinning around the cyber security industry about integrating information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) into a centralised Security Operations Centre (SOC) environment. Big IT technology vendors are largely responsible for this rhetoric and of course, they have product to push into the lucrative OT security market.  However, while integrating such...

Recent high-profile data breaches in Australia have called attention to data and cyber security – in a big way. IT managers and tech security experts, such as SIS, have been talking about the potential implications of such cyber hacks for years now but, unfortunately, it's taken the scale of the Medibank and Optus incidents to make news headlines...

The 2022 State of Operational Technology and Cybersecurity Report saw Fortinet compile the responses of 500 OT security professionals across the world* to ascertain where operational technology (OT) security lies in the priorities of organisational leaders. The findings of this report proved congruent with our experience at SIS. Within the many insights this report provided, it underscored one very...

The term 'cyber resilience' is the ability to adapt to disruptions caused by cyber security incidents – using detection, management and recovery tactics – while maintaining continuous business operations. It’s a term that’s being bandied about a lot nowadays but with good reason: a recent Fortinet worldwide survey observed that 93% of survey respondents had experienced...

Breaches in the security of operational technology (OT) – the hardware and software used to drive industrial processes – are increasing in frequency with every given year.  And yet, breaches of this particular nature continue to be among the greatest, most overlooked threats looming over global infrastructure and the safety of communities at large.  We've...

We’ve already extolled the unique virtues of establishing an off-premises Security Operations Centre (SOC) for your operational technology (OT). And we’ve fervently argued that going off-prem should be your preferred solution because, not only is it a flexible and cost-effective option, it also means tapping your organisation into the level of highly specialised expertise that a 24/7...

Organisations are getting wise to the fact that it takes more than the right technology to protect their industrial assets. There’s no option to just ‘set and forget’ – securing industrial or operational technology (OT) requires constant monitoring and management, and it needs to be done by people who know what they’re doing.  The advantages...

It’s no revelation that ransomware incidents have been on the rise across the last couple of years. The shift towards remote working, accelerated by the global pandemic, has created more opportunities for hackers, resulting in some high-profile cases in 2021.  When we think of ransomware, our minds generally turn to threats against information technology (IT), which...

Last month, the Sydney Morning Herald published an article detailing Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews’ call to counter cyber crimes that, in her words, represent a “real and present danger” to Australians and our economy.  Her presentation to Parliament comes off the back of last year’s Cyber Security Strategy and a new government discussion paper that will consider whether proposed...

The importance of thorough and effective operational technology (OT) security is an organisational concern that is only rising in priority. We just need to look at the impact of recent international incidents – such as the breach at a Florida water treatment plant and Solarwinds – and actions of the Australian Government to know, if we don't take a...

We've all heard the old adage that 'a computer is only as good as the person operating it', so to say that people could be the secret ingredient in protecting your Operational Technology (OT) is anything but a revolutionary concept. Yet, despite the acceptance of this wisdom in our modern parlance, many of us frequently...