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 be effective. But without a systematic, carefully sequenced approach, these efforts fall short. A methodical approach means doing the right things, in the right order, for the right reasons. Sounds obvious, but that’s often not the case.
What Does “Methodical” Mean?
Being methodical means working with precision. It’s not just about doing things; it’s about doing them deliberately, with a clear plan. In industrial cyber security, that means:
- Following a security zone-by-zone implementation strategy, not a blanket rollout.
- Assessing organisational readiness, not just technical capability.
- Applying multiple industry standards for integration, not relying on just one.
- Developing expertise that understands how to apply these standards in practice, not just on paper.
There are plenty of OT security standards out there. Without careful interpretation by experienced OT security practitioners, they can create confusion rather than clarity. At SIS, we’ve seen that first hand. That’s why our methodology is designed to integrate the best elements of global frameworks and standards tailored to the realities of operational environments.
Why Most Approaches Fall Short
Speed is seductive. Budgets are tight. And boards love a good silver bullet.
But industrial cyber security doesn’t work like that. Many organisations jump to controls without a foundation. Or they deploy tech before they’ve mapped their risks or aligned their strategy to business goals.
The result? Expensive tools that go underused. Disjointed systems. A false sense of security.
A methodical approach avoids that. It ensures your investment in security is built on a stable, scalable foundation. It’s the difference between ticking boxes and building a system that works today and in five years’ time.
A Smarter Way to Build Security
Adopting the Methodical principle means:
- Building internal capability: Develop teams with real world experience in applying industrial cyber security standards.
- Planning the execution properly: Start with a business transformation readiness assessment, then move through each security zone with a clear roadmap.
- Measuring progress: Set maturity benchmarks, then track them consistently. No guesswork.
- Continual refinement: Stay up to date with new standards and frameworks and know how to combine them effectively.
This isn’t about necessarily slowing you down. It’s about smart sequencing. A methodical approach gives you speed and confidence because you know each piece is in the right place.
If your current approach feels ad hoc, reactive, or overly reliant on shortcuts, it’s time to rethink your method.
Complete the industrial cyber security scorecard and see how well your organisation applies the Methodical principle.