OT cyber risk: no site is too remote

Why is OT cyber risk increasing?

Throughout the energy industry, from onshore or offshore drilling to mining sites or renewable energy facilities, almost all assets are now connected 24/7. As more industrial operations go online, cyber threats are growing. IT systems are increasingly integrated with OT (operational technology), and manufacturers are adding sensors to collect data. This improves how sites are run, but it also opens more ways for cyber-attacks to happen.

Energy operators are employing a growing range of tools for data collection and remote maintenance, increasing the potential threat vectors for attackers, as well as third party supply chain attacks. Hackers are increasingly attacking energy targets, whether for commercial gain or malicious intent. By exploiting unpatched vulnerabilities, often starting with phishing or social engineering attacks against users, cyber criminals can infiltrate IT systems and move laterally into OT environments, especially when networks are not properly segmented. The consequences can be severe on the safety of the people working on the sites, on the environment and can generate losses in production worth millions of dollars per minute.

What are the risks to OT equipment?

Cyber security is now as critical as physical security. OT equipment faces risks ranging from loss of control of machines on the site, slowing or even stopping production, to major safety issues, including endangering workers and the environment.

Many breaches result not from malicious attacks, but from human error, such as connecting infected USB drives or overlooking routine updates. In line with this, it is also standard practice for OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) to use their own firewall, which then results in rig owners not seeing the traffic. This is why implementing strong threat detection and prevention measures without compromising OEM warranties is essential for maintaining operational safety and uptime.

How do I protect myself from this risk?

Energy and resource operators must allocate clear responsibilities across the asset lifecycle.

During design and construction

• Engineering contractors and OEMs have to provide secure-by-design architecture
• Deliverables include asset inventories, zones and conduit diagrams, secure configuration guidelines, and documented security capabilities of industrial systems
• Manufacturers must show adherence to secure development lifecycles in line with ISA/IEC 62443

During commissioning

• Operators must generate a cyber security maintenance and operations plan, covering patch management, secure remote access, incident handling, and supplier oversight
• Baseline security testing (penetration testing, resilience assessments, and failover drills) must be documented prior to go-live

During operations

• Owners are responsible for maintaining a cyber resilience program which must include regular updates of asset inventories, access control enforcement, removable media procedures, and physical safeguards
• Incident response plans, cyber drills and evidence of staff training must be maintained to satisfy regulators
   

How do I know if my OT equipment is safe and compliant?

Knowing whether your OT equipment is safe and compliant begins with visibility and verification. You need a clear understanding of every control system and connection across your operations, supported by an accurate asset inventory and risk assessment to reveal what is most critical and where vulnerabilities exist.

Tying this in with strong network segmentation and precise access control help keep systems isolated and secure, while regular audits and testing confirm that your defences align with the appropriate standards such as ISA IEC 62443, NIST 800-82, and ISO 27001. A fully compliant site also depends on your partners, so it’s vital to ensure that vendors and contractors follow the same security standards.

With continuous monitoring providing real-time assurance, operators and owners can confidently demonstrate that their OT environments are both secure and compliant with evolving regulatory demands.

In line with this, regular audits, penetration testing or third-party assessments are key to maintaining a secure and compliant posture for OT equipment.

Is compliance enough to be secure?

Compliance is just the starting point. True cyber resilience requires a continuous, proactive approach that combines governance, technology, and awareness.

Owners and operators need to work with technology partners to ensure that they have effective cyber security practices in place, from the network to device and personnel. Solutions are available to detect cyber threats against OT equipment, combined with network segregation between IT/OT networks and safety and control on multiple levels.

In conclusion, as OT cyber risks continue to grow in the energy, renewables, and mining sectors, it is essential to adopt comprehensive security measures and operate in compliance with the regional and industry regulations.

By understanding the risks, implementing robust protections, and maintaining vigilance, owners and operators can help safeguard their operations against cyber threats and improve safety for their staff and the environment.

With its global presence, Marlink is well positioned to help customers achieve compliance in line with the local and global regulations. Our team of over 150 cyber security professionals are ready to come in and assess, protect, and help you defend against cyber-attacks. 

Want to ensure the OT systems on your oil and gas, energy, renewables or mining sites are compliant and protected? Contact us today to discuss how we can help.