Securing Operational Technology (OT): The systems that power the world

Cyber security discussions often focus on IT infrastructure, the digital backbone of modern organizations, but in industrial sectors such as energy, utilities, and manufacturing, Operational Technology (OT) plays an equally vital role in keeping essential processes running safely and smoothly. 

OT and SCADA power industries 

OT refers to the hardware and software that directly monitor or control physical devices and processes - from factory machinery and water treatment plants to power grids and oil pipelines. These systems keep essential services running, and when they’re disrupted, the impact goes far beyond data loss - it affects safety, production, and even entire communities.  

A central part of many OT environments is Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition, more commonly referred to as SCADA. SCADA combines hardware and software to monitor and control industrial processes remotely, allowing operators to manage field equipment, collect performance data, and make real-time decisions. It’s the system that keeps industries running, making it one of the most attractive targets for attackers. 

Unlike IT systems, many OT environments were never designed with cyber security in mind. As a result, many critical vulnerabilities are easy to exploit when connected to corporate networks or the internet. 

The real-world effects of OT cyberattacks 

One of the earliest and most significant examples of a cyberattack targeting OT was Stuxnet (2010), a highly sophisticated worm that infiltrated Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities. It damaged roughly one-fifth of the country’s centrifuges, marking the first known case where a cyberattack caused real physical destruction. Stuxnet changed the way the world viewed industrial cyber security and demonstrated that digital threats could have tangible, real-world impact. 

Several other incidents continue to show that the threat to OT is not just historical, but growing. In this year alone, a major cyberattack on Jaguar Land Rover disrupted production across multiple manufacturing sites in the UK and Europe. The incident forced temporary shutdowns and halted vehicle deliveries. The incident is considered one of the most damaging in British history, with an estimated total economic impact of £1.9 billion. 

Holm Security meets the threat head-on 

At Holm Security, we extend our vulnerability management capabilities beyond traditional IT systems to include Operational Technology and SCADA environments. Our approach gives organizations complete visibility across both digital and industrial networks.  

Given that OT environments are often sensitive to network probing, we’ve developed a dedicated SCADA scan configuration designed to minimize operational impact while still uncovering critical weaknesses.  

Getting technical 

Our scanner supports systems from over 75 different OT and SCADA vendors and detects more than 1,600 vulnerability tests, covering 3,700+ unique vulnerabilities across industrial infrastructures. This extensive coverage includes key components such as SCADA servers, engineering stations, and control-level devices like PLCs and HMIs. 

Our platform also understands the industrial protocols that power these environments, including Modbus/TCP, Profinet, EtherNet/IP, Siemens S7, OPC, IEC 60870-5-104, and DNP3. This deep protocol awareness allows us to safely assess systems that traditional IT-focused scanners cannot, offering a comprehensive and reliable view of vulnerabilities across the entire OT ecosystem. 

The rising urgency of securing OT 

As with many other areas of society, securing OT environments is no longer optional, but a necessity. These systems underpin critical infrastructure and industrial operations, meaning any disruption can have far-reaching consequences for safety, productivity, and even national security. Investing in robust OT cyber security measures today is the only way to safeguard essential services and ensure resilience against tomorrow’s threats. 

Ready to minimize your OT security risk with a proactive cyber defense? Reach out to our Sales team today.