Importance of Asset Visibility for Ot Security

🏭 Cyberattacks in manufacturing don’t crash desktops. They freeze assembly lines, cost millions, and disrupt vital supply chains, from healthcare to defense. And the threat is only growing. In 2024 alone, there was a 71% spike in threat actors targeting manufacturers, and many are exploiting blind spots created by legacy systems connected to modern networks. Visibility today can’t just mean knowing how many devices are on your network. It means understanding what each device is, how it behaves, where it came from, and how it could be exploited. That’s why manufacturers like Winkelmann Group turned to Forescout Technologies Inc. - gaining real-time visibility across 6,800 IT, OT, and IoT assets in just hours, and uncovering over 170% more assets than expected. 👉 The truth is: You can’t protect what you can’t truly see. And you can’t build resilience in the dark. 👈 https://lnkd.in/g9DRmKpg #OTSecurity #ManufacturingCybersecurity #CriticalInfrastructure #Visibility #Forescout

OT security reminds me of the Wild West. 🤠😬 Most companies don’t even know what’s connected to their plant floor network—let alone what vulnerabilities exist. And here’s the kicker: Over 60% of OT environments have outdated or unpatched systems, making them prime targets for cyberattacks. For years, the excuse was “Our OT network is air-gapped. We’re safe.” 👀 But let’s level set—air gapping is a myth in modern industrial environments. The second you connect an engineer’s laptop, install a remote monitoring system, or update software via USB, that so-called gap disappears. And attackers know it. They wait patiently for it. And with the hodge podge of different industrial automation equipment, security teams have zero visibility into the OT environment. Traditional IT tools don’t work here—too many proprietary protocols, legacy systems, and operational silos. So what happens? Tool sprawl. Companies pile on disconnected solutions, and the security gaps remain. This is exactly why Cisco Cyber Vision was built. It does three things— 1️⃣ Identifies every asset in your OT network (real-time, no guesswork) 2️⃣ Monitors for vulnerabilities and threats (so you can fix problems before they become headlines) 3️⃣ Integrates with IT security tools (because security shouldn’t be a guessing game) If you’re running a manufacturing plant, power grid, or industrial operation— I highly recommend looking into tools like Cisco’s #CyberVision. How long could you afford to be down if a cyberattack took out your production line? That’s the real business case. Visibility isn’t optional anymore. It’s survival.

The integration of Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) in manufacturing has significantly increased cybersecurity vulnerabilities. A recent study revealed that 80% of manufacturing firms encountered a notable surge in security incidents in 2024. To combat these challenges, manufacturers should focus on the following key strategies: - Real-Time Monitoring 🕵️♂️: Implementing Network Detection and Response (NDR) solutions allows for continuous monitoring of network traffic, enabling swift identification and response to potential threats. (Source: cisco.com) - Investing in Advanced NDR and OT Visibility Tools 🔍: Enhancing OT visibility provides a comprehensive overview of all assets within OT networks, facilitating the detection of vulnerabilities and effective threat identification. (Source: sepiocyber.com) By prioritizing these proactive measures, manufacturers can enhance their cybersecurity defenses and safeguard critical operations against the constantly evolving threat landscape. #CyberSecurity #Manufacturing #ITOTConvergence #NetworkSecurity