Risk and Resilience: What the C-Suite Needs to Know About Industrial Cybersecurity
1693
ICS/OT Ransomware Attacks
1269
Attacks Disrupted Operations
24
Threat Groups, including Hacktivists and State-Sponsored Threats
For Executives, OT security isn’t IT’s problem.
It’s yours.
When operational technology fails, the consequences cascade through safety, environment, reputation, and ultimately, your bottom line.
Three Key Takeaways
DEPLOY TAILORED DEFENSES FOR INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENTS
Industrial systems face unique threats where breaches impact physical operations, not just information. When attackers compromise OT systems, they can disrupt production, damage equipment, and create safety incidents. Build security strategies that address these physical risks while working within operational constraints.
ESTABLISH A COMMON RISK LANGUAGE ACROSS YOUR ORGANIZATION
Misaligned risk perceptions between technical teams and executives undermine effective security investments. Implement a structured evaluation approach that considers attack vectors, system interdependencies, and multi-dimensional business impacts. This creates shared understanding that ensures security resources target your most significant vulnerabilities.
BUILD STRATEGIC ADVANTAGE THROUGH DOCUMENTED RISK MANAGEMENT
A well-documented risk strategy provides the accountability needed for today’s complex regulatory and insurance landscape. By implementing a strategic approach to OT risk management with realistic threat scenarios, you position your organization to protect critical operations while demonstrating to external stakeholders that you understand and can manage industrial cyber risk.
Provides context that traditional risk assessments miss
Methodically models how threat actors might target industrial systems
Considers attack likelihood and potential cascading impacts throughout operations and ecosystems
Traditional risk assessment methods fail to capture the unique challenges of OT environments where digital and physical systems converge
Threat scenarios create a common language between technical teams, operations staff, and executive leadership,
Uncover hidden vulnerabilities, despite complexity of industrial networks and proprietary protocols
Simulate attacks against your critical infrastructure
Focus on three common scenarios: ransomware attacks targeting operational systems, nation-state actors conducting industrial espionage, and trusted vendor compromises affecting your supply chain
Identify weaknesses, prioritize mitigation efforts, and allocate security resources
What
Why
How
Four-Pillar Risk Management Framework
Structured framework for handling industrial cybersecurity risks
Elimination, transfer, acceptance, and mitigation
When mitigating risks, different devices require different protection levels
Not all vulnerabilities demand the same response
Balanced approach recognizes that patching may be impossible, components can’t be easily replaced, and operational continuity is paramount
Transforms cybersecurity from a technical challenge into a strategic business advantage
Demonstrates to stakeholders, regulators, and insurers that you understand the true dimensions of OT risk
Document your approach to each risk category in a comprehensive risk register
Eliminate = Identify where engineering changes can remove vulnerabilities
Transfer = develop strategic relationships with insurers who understand OT environments
Accept = implement formal documentation processes with executive approval
Mitigate = deploy network architecture controls and detection capabilities that reduce impact and likelihood of security incidents
What
Why
How
OT Cybersecurity Maturity Model
Three-phase OT cybersecurity maturity model
Implementation of critical controls, operationalization of security processes, and optimization through continuous improvement
Security maturity develops gradually rather than through a single transformation
Allows organizations to demonstrate their resilience journey transparently to boards and external partners—including insurers
Regular progress updates showcase your dedication to systematically reducing risk
Leads to more favorable terms with external stakeholders
Builds confidence in your security program
Phase 1: Implement the SANS ICS 5 Critical Controls at high-priority sites
Phase 2: Operationalize controls through repeatable processes and skills development
Phase 3: Implement advanced security use cases, expand to medium-impact sites, and make updates based on new threats
"Don’t think about risk as a snapshot in time; instead, look for opportunities to share your vision about the journey and what’s next for your organization. This insight will help boards, insurers, legal representation, and other stakeholders understand your priorities and progress over time."
— Mark Stacey, Dragos Director of Strategy
SOLUTION
Industrial Cyber Risk Management
Assess risk, take key steps to reduce exposure, and partner with the platform vendor pre-approved by key industrial cyber risk insurers.
