There has been a huge rise in cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure, including power grids, water treatment plants, oil and gas, transportation, telecommunications, and even healthcare facilities.
To mitigate these risks, organizations need to understand why it’s so important to be proactive and use threat modeling in Operational Technology (OT), the Internet of Things (IoT), and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems.
What are OT, IoT, and SCADA?
So, what exactly do OT, IoT, and Scada refer to? Let’s check out what these terms mean.
Operational Technology
OT refers to hardware and software that monitor and control physical devices, processes, and events in industries. It includes everything from factory machines to turbines in power plants and even water treatment plants. These systems are essential for keeping operations running smoothly in critical sectors.
Internet of Things
IoT relates to the connection of everyday devices to the Internet to obtain and exchange data. Examples of devices can be anything from fitness trackers and thermostats to connected cars and industrial sensors. IoT is used not only in homes but also in businesses and industries to improve automation, monitoring, and efficiency.
SCADA Systems
SCADA systems are a type of OT that’s used to monitor and manage industrial processes. They are useful as they give operators real-time updates on things like electricity grids or water treatment plants. Basically, they are necessary to make sure essential services stay up and run smoothly.
How OT, IoT, and SCADA Work Together
To sum up:
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OT is a broad category that includes technologies like SCADA.
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IoT often overlaps with OT because industries use IoT devices to improve monitoring and automation.
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Together, OT, IoT, and SCADA form the base of modern industrial operations, but their interconnection can also cause new security risks.
Why Security Matters in OT, IoT, and SCADA
OT and IoT systems are linked to wider networks, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals. If a hacker gains control over an IoT device or an OT system, they could cause some serious damage to infrastructure, data, or even safety.
Take SCADA systems, which manage vital services like power grids or water plants. If an attacker breaches a SCADA system, they could do untold damage, such as cause blackouts or do something to the water supply. That’s why securing OT, IoT, and SCADA systems is really important.
A Real-World Example
In early 2024, several water and wastewater treatment plants in Texas, USA, were the victims of cyberattacks. Videos were shared online by the alleged hackers that showed them remotely accessing and manipulating SCADA systems by adjusting different settings and controls. In most cases, their activity was detected in time to prevent damage, and operations had to change to manual control while systems were resecured.
However, in Muleshoe, the attackers managed to make a water tank overflow for 30 to 45 minutes before the situation was contained.
The Role of Threat Modeling in Securing OT Environments
So, the big question is, how do you keep these systems safe? One of the most ideal ways is threat modeling, which helps identify potential security risks and assists you in planning to deal with them. Instead of reacting to threats after they happen, threat modeling enables you to be proactive. It means thinking ahead about the types of attacks that could target your systems and how to stop them before they cause harm.
For OT and industrial environments, threat modeling helps organizations:
Spot Risks
First, you need to know what’s most important. For OT, this means looking closely at your critical systems and devices. By understanding which ones are most vulnerable, you can figure out where an attacker might try to get in.
Anticipate Attacks
Threat modeling involves thinking like bad actors. Security and other teams use this process to brainstorm different ways an attacker might exploit weaknesses, such as how they could mess with a SCADA system or hack into an IoT device. Once these attack scenarios are mapped out, they can develop defense strategies to block them.
Focus on What’s Most Important
Not every threat is as dangerous as the next. Threat modeling helps teams decide which risks are the most critical to address so they can prioritize the areas that need the most protection.
Stay Compliant and Safe
Many OT environments have to meet strict safety and security regulations. Threat modeling helps ensure these standards are met while reducing vulnerabilities that could lead to safety or operational issues.
Threat modeling is one of the best ways to stay ahead of cyber threats so you can protect your systems before something goes wrong.
How SecureFlag and ThreatCanvas Help Secure OT, IoT, and SCADA
SecureFlag’s ThreatCanvas makes it easy for teams to get hands-on with automated threat modeling. If your organization is working with SCADA systems or other industrial technologies, ThreatCanvas has a new risk template that can help you:
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Identify threats automatically
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Simulate attack scenarios
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Generate abuser stories
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Develop customized defense strategies for your environment
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Increase collaboration between different teams
Safeguard your critical systems from threats with practical and actionable insights. By being proactive, you can catch security issues early—reducing costs and time spent on security rework.
Interested in learning more about ThreatCanvas? Get in touch today!
