OT/IoT Assets
In cybersecurity, operational technology (OT) and Internet of Things (IoT) assets refer to devices and systems connected to and/or managed via the Internet. These assets are often used in industrial control systems, critical infrastructure, and other operational environments.
OT Assets:
Industrial control systems (ICS): Systems that monitor and control physical processes, such as manufacturing, power generation, and transportation.
Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems: Systems that collect and analyze data from remote locations, such as pipelines and oil rigs.
Programmable logic controllers (PLCs): Industrial computers that control manufacturing processes and other automated systems.
IoT Assets:
Internet-connected devices: A wide range of devices connected to the internet, such as smart home devices, wearable technology, and medical devices.
Sensors and actuators: Devices that collect and transmit data about the physical environment, such as temperature, pressure, and motion.
Embedded systems: Computer systems embedded in other devices, such as cars, airplanes, and medical equipment.
OT/IoT assets pose unique security challenges due to their often critical functions, diverse nature, and increasing connectivity. They can be vulnerable to various cyberattacks, including malware, denial-of-service attacks, and data breaches, which could significantly affect operational processes, critical infrastructure, and human safety.
ThreatNG can be a valuable solution for organizations seeking to identify and secure their OT/IoT assets. Here's how ThreatNG's features can help:
ThreatNG's external discovery capabilities can identify internet-connected OT/IoT assets, even those that may not be known to internal teams or managed by traditional security tools. This includes devices with OT/IoT protocols like FTP, Telnet, SMTP, IMAP, SNMP, RTSP, and industrial control system protocols. This comprehensive inventory is crucial for understanding and managing the security of these often-overlooked assets.
ThreatNG's external assessment capabilities help evaluate the security posture of these OT/IoT assets. For example:
Identifying Vulnerable Ports: ThreatNG can detect exposed sensitive ports on OT/IoT devices, such as Telnet or FTP, which could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access.
Detecting Known Vulnerabilities: ThreatNG's vulnerability database includes known vulnerabilities for various OT/IoT devices, helping organizations identify and prioritize patching efforts.
Assessing Data Leak Susceptibility: ThreatNG can evaluate the likelihood of sensitive data being exposed from OT/IoT devices, which often have limited security controls.
ThreatNG's continuous monitoring capabilities ensure that the risk assessment and threat intelligence for OT/IoT assets remain up-to-date by continuously scanning for new threats, vulnerabilities, and changes in their exposure.
ThreatNG's investigation modules enable deep dives into specific OT/IoT assets or areas of concern. For example:
Subdomain Intelligence: This module can analyze subdomains associated with OT/IoT devices, identifying potential vulnerabilities and misconfigurations.
IP Intelligence: This module provides detailed information about IP addresses associated with OT/IoT devices, including geolocation and network connections, which can help identify potential attack paths.
Technology Stack: This module identifies the technologies used by OT/IoT devices, helping organizations understand their potential vulnerabilities and prioritize security measures.
ThreatNG's intelligence repositories provide valuable information about potential threats and vulnerabilities affecting OT/IoT assets. This information includes data on:
Dark web activities: ThreatNG scans the dark web for mentions of the organization's OT/IoT assets, helping identify potential data leaks, compromised credentials, or planned attacks.
Known vulnerabilities: ThreatNG maintains a database of known vulnerabilities for various OT/IoT devices, helping organizations assess the likelihood of attackers exploiting specific weaknesses.
Working with Complementary Solutions
ThreatNG can integrate with other security solutions to enhance the security of OT/IoT assets. For example, ThreatNG can complement:
OT/IoT Security Platforms: ThreatNG can provide external context and threat intelligence to OT/IoT security platforms, helping them prioritize vulnerabilities and security events.
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) Systems: ThreatNG can feed its findings into SIEM systems to provide a broader view of security events across the organization, including those related to OT/IoT assets.
Examples of ThreatNG Helping with OT/IoT Security
Identifying an Exposed Industrial Control System: ThreatNG could identify an industrial control system accessible from the Internet with a vulnerable version of the Modbus protocol. This would allow the organization to isolate the system from the Internet or implement appropriate security controls to prevent unauthorized access.
Detecting a Compromised Smart Device: ThreatNG could detect a compromised smart device, such as a security camera, that is part of the organization's network. This allows the organization to isolate the device and prevent it from being used as a pivot point for attacks on other assets.
Uncovering a Vulnerability in a Medical Device: ThreatNG could uncover a known vulnerability in a medical device used by the organization. This allows the organization to patch the device or implement compensating controls to mitigate the risk of exploitation.
By combining its powerful external discovery, assessment, and monitoring capabilities with comprehensive threat intelligence and investigation modules, ThreatNG provides a valuable toolset for securing OT/IoT assets. This enables organizations to gain visibility into their entire external attack surface, identify and address vulnerabilities in these critical assets, and proactively defend against evolving threats.
