OT security in industry and logistics: Hidden attack surfaces you need to know about
OT security within industry and logistics often falls into the shadow of traditional IT security, despite the fact that the most critical vulnerabilities are here. Control systems, production lines, and mission-critical logistics systems are being connected at an increasing pace, but protection is not keeping up. But where are the actual vulnerabilities in your operation, and how does the protection of the production environment differ from traditional IT security?
When Availability Is Everything
In traditional IT security, the primary purpose is confidentiality. That is, to protect data from unauthorised access. In OT security, the priority is different. Here, availability is everything. Control systems must be running. Always. A stoppage in OT means production halts and goods stop moving.
When a factory's machines, sensors and control systems – PLCs, SCADA, operator panels – are connected to the cloud and networks, a new reality emerges. Systems once designed to be isolated suddenly become exposed to the same threat landscape as your IT environment, but without the same protective layers.
The logistics sector has its own mission-critical systems: WMS, TMS, automated sorting systems, terminal systems and a connected vehicle fleet with telematics and GPS. Technology with real-time requirements, limited patchability and availability as the primary protection goal. Every component is a potential entry vector.
This is not theoretical. Attacks on industrial control systems have increased significantly, and logistics companies have been hit by ransomware that has disrupted terminal operations for days.
What can happen in practice?
A compromised PLC or a SCADA system can change production parameters without the operator noticing. This can result in incorrect tolerances, temperatures or pressures leading to production losses or accidents. A hijacked TMS can redirect goods, manipulate delivery data or take the entire transport flow hostage with ransomware.
This is not theoretical. Attacks on industrial control systems have increased significantly and logistics companies have been affected by ransomware that has shut down terminal operations for days. That these industries are so vulnerable is no coincidence. Downtime makes the willingness to pay high, something threat actors are well aware of.
The OT environments also make it especially difficult to defend oneself. Older protocols like Modbus and OPC Classic often lack authentication, systems cannot be patched without production stoppages and the segmentation between IT and OT is often inadequate. Add in the human factor, shared logins on operator panels and uncontrolled remote access, and the entry path becomes easy.
Security maturity is not keeping up
Despite the threat landscape, the majority of the industry is at a low security maturity. Our data shows that 61% of companies are at immature or basic levels, while only 4% regard security as a primary perspective of digitisation and innovation.
That 35% reach a qualified level is however a positive signal. These companies have passed the threshold where security is no longer seen as an obstacle but a prerequisite. The step there does not necessarily require huge investments – but it does require OT security to be raised from the IT department to the boardroom.
Despite the threat landscape, the majority of the industry is at a low level of security maturity.
Guide: Build your IT/OT Security Protection
The EU has recognised that cyberattacks are about more than just economics; they concern critical infrastructure and societal security. A number of regulations are now tightening requirements for both industry and logistics:
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Map. Inventory your OT assets. Which systems are connected, which communicate with the IT environment, and which are most critical? Also map partner connections. Every integration is a potential entry point.
- Segment. Network segmentation acts as a digital fire door between IT and OT. Ransomware via an email in the office network should not be able to reach the control system in the factory or the WMS in the warehouse.
- Monitor. OT environments require passive monitoring that provides visibility without disturbing production. OT-specific detection tools identify abnormal behaviours in industrial protocols that traditional IT tools miss.
- Patch strategy for OT. Systems that cannot be easily updated are protected with compensating controls: network isolation, whitelisting, and extra monitoring. Plan maintenance windows synced with production scheduling.
- Incident planning. Develop a plan that takes into account that every second of downtime costs money. Who decides on shutdown? Which systems are prioritised during recovery? Practice scenarios with IT, production, and logistics around the table.
- Supply chain. Suppliers with access to your OT environment are part of your attack surface. Demand MFA, time-limited access, and logging, and follow up to ensure the requirements are enforced, not just present in the contract.
5 common questions and answers about OT security in industry and logistics
- What is OT security and why is it important in industry and logistics?
OT security is about protecting operationally critical systems such as control systems, production lines, and logistics platforms. Unlike traditional IT where confidentiality is prioritised, availability is the primary protection goal and a stoppage can shut down the entire operation. - What are the most common attack surfaces in OT environments?
Older protocols without authentication, poor segmentation between IT and OT, systems that cannot be patched, shared logins on operator panels, and uncontrolled remote accesses are among the most common vulnerabilities. - How does OT security differ from traditional IT security?
IT security focuses on confidentiality and data protection. OT security prioritises availability and operational continuity. OT systems require passive monitoring, have limited patchability, and use industrial protocols that require specialised security tools. - How mature is the security within industry and logistics?
61% of companies are at an immature or basic level. Only 4% have security as a prioritised perspective in their digitalisation. 35% reach a qualified level, which shows that a third of the sector has passed an important threshold. - Where should one start to improve their OT security?
Start by mapping your OT assets and partner connections. Then segment the network between IT and OT, introduce passive monitoring, and develop an incident plan that includes production and logistics, not just IT.
