The rise of IIoT and AI is fundamentally reshaping how we view OT data and networks. In our previous article, Architecting OT Infrastructure to Unlock Your OT Data's Hidden Value, we discussed how a futureproof OT network can help you unlock the hidden value of your OT data for an AI-driven future.

While AI has a lot of untapped potential, it’s also a double-edged sword. To unlock AI's value, once-isolated systems need to be opened up, expanding their digital footprint and inviting sophisticated, AI-driven cyberattacks. This topic was discussed at length in the recent Manufacturing Happy Hour podcast episode: How AI is Reshaping Security and OT Network Requirements. OT networks have evolved from being simple connections to complex systems that are more vulnerable than ever. Is your OT network built to navigate this new era, or will it be the single point of failure that could bring your operations and AI ambitions to a halt?

Here are some important insights to keep in mind when assessing the security of your OT network:

Insight 1: Your Network’s Air Gap Might Be Airtight

A lot of manufacturers still believe that their air-gapped networks are fully secure and isolate their sensitive systems from harm. But is that truly the case? If you’re in doubt, try asking yourself a few simple questions:

• Is a single machine sending diagnostic data to a cloud service?
• Is your factory sharing data with any other network in the plant?

If the answer to either question is yes, your network is no longer protected by an air gap. Relying on isolation alone is an antiquated security measure that might be leaving your operations exposed. Nowadays, integrating strong security controls into your network to protect critical assets is the norm, rather than the exception. However, data security has not been a core topic for OT networks for the last 15 to 20 years. Many industrial environments have near-zero protection close to the actual process. For OT engineers, industrial network security has become a challenging new frontier that deserves their full attention.

Insight 2: AI Is Simplifying the Attacker’s Job

AI doesn’t just introduce a whole new range of cyberattacks, it also amplifies existing intrusion methods. Consider the following ways AI can intensify security threats:

• Faster and more precise: AI lets hackers quickly process huge amounts of information, pinpoint vulnerabilities much more accurately, and design tailor-made attacks. For example, hackers now use AI to create flawless, personalized phishing emails. While in the past you could spot abnormalities such as typos or inconsistencies, AI-powered phishing content is almost indistinguishable from the real deal.
• Real-time adaptation: The biggest threat is adaptive malware. Before, a hacker would scan all ports to look for a specific, vulnerable point of entry. If the port was closed, they would move on to another target. With AI, hackers can adapt their coding and attack strategy on the fly based on what it encounters in your system, making the attack far more efficient and dangerous.

As AI continues to evolve, so will cyberthreats. Because there is no silver bullet for cybersecurity, developing a comprehensive security strategy is your best defense.

Insight 3: Cyber-resilience Has Become Imperative

With cyberattacks becoming more sophisticated, falling victim to a successful attack is inevitable. It’s no longer enough to focus on threat prevention alone. Your network should be able to withstand, recover from, and adapt to cyberattacks to minimize their impact and ensure operational continuity. This is what we refer to as cyber-resilience. To achieve such resilience, you need a solid foundation in the form of a robust defense-in-depth strategy. That means breaking up your network into zones and conduits, each with its own security measures based on risk level. Think of it like adding layers of protection around your most valuable assets. The best way to get started is by using secure-by-design networking devices and building a layered security architecture that gives you visibility, control, and flexibility across your OT environment.

It is worth mentioning that defense-in-depth strategies align directly with the principles of ISA/IEC 62443, a global cybersecurity standard widely used across various industries. Like the security frameworks provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), ISA/IEC 62443 provides guidance for manufacturers to establish strict security standards for both processes and products themselves. If you’re not familiar with NIST or ISA/IEC 62443, don’t worry. To illustrate, consider the food industry. You can think of security certifications such as ISA/IEC 62443 as nutrition labels for cybersecurity products. ISA/IEC 62443-4-1 certification covers the food production process, while ISA/IEC 62443-4-2 represents the product certification, like a nutrition label on the product. These certifications validate the technical characteristics and compliance of the equipment and processes with industry-standardized security requirements.

Smart Choices: How Certified Vendors Strengthen Your Cybersecurity

Effective cyber-resilience begins with choosing solution providers that follow stringent security standards. Any business that prioritizes security makes sure that their vendors meet the requirements of industry-recognized certifications. Specifically, look for suppliers who have obtained IEC 62443-4-1 certification for their secure development life cycle (SDL). This certification guarantees that products are inherently secure by design. Selecting IEC 62443-4-2 certified devices further boosts security for your critical systems at the device level.

Solid network security takes more than just buying secure devices though. It also relies on a commitment to comprehensive, layered protection. As a best practice, it’s important to isolate critical networks from general IT or unauthorized access using technologies such as VLANs, firewalls, Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS). Visibility is another key component of an effective security strategy. Having full visibility of your network lets you quickly respond to any incident and minimize impacts from cyber events. Network and security management platforms provide holistic visibility of your network in a user-friendly package, making it easier for engineers to monitor the network and be alerted of suspicious activity.

Although, not everything is down to just setting up robust cybersecurity defenses. Long-term stability and security also depend on a vendor’s commitment to ongoing support and vulnerability management. Similar to a hotline, some companies have dedicated response teams to address security issues and keep their customers' network defenses up to date. Furthermore, industry leaders often act as a CVE Numbering Authority (CNA). This position allows the vendor to take direct ownership of the first, critical step in the product vulnerability disclosure process. As a CNA, vendors ensure a more efficient, authoritative, and reliable security response for their customers.

Defending against cyberthreats in this digitalized era is no easy task. By deploying comprehensive defense-in-depth security strategies and choosing vendors that meet rigorous security standards, businesses can better defend against targeted threats and ensure maximum system uptime.

Moxa is among the pioneering companies to have secured IEC 62443-4-1 certification for our secure development life cycle (SDL) and is a listed CNA. Our goal is to help our customers engineer secure OT networks. Looking to secure your OT network? Download our latest technology guide: A Checklist for Building a Secure Industrial Network. This guide with tips and recommendations will help you choose the right networking devices, build layered security, and efficiently manage your network to create a safer cyberspace for your OT systems.