CYBERSECURITY CHALLENGES IN OPERATIONAL TECHNOLOGY ENVIRONMENTS: A COMPREHENSIVE THREAT ANALYSIS
Osama Habes Sharari Al-Majali · Journal of Southwest Jiaotong University · 2024
Operational Technology (OT) settings contain important machinery and systems, making them greater targets for cyberattacks. Such flaws not only endanger the integrity of OT systems but also pose significant threats to national security and personal safety. Our analysis begins with a detailed review and critique of the existing cybersecurity structure in the OT, identifying significant weaknesses and assessing the OT environment’s vulnerability to cyberattacks. This study provides real-world scenario assessments to demonstrate the potential consequences of cybersecurity threats and attacks against OT systems. In addition, this study investigates the complexities of OT-specific risks, highlighting the threat environment and classifying the types of attacks that OT are most vulnerable to. The proposed methodology ensures that OT cybersecurity is mature enough to defend against any sudden attacks. To achieve this goal, assessment and a full understanding of the OT environment are required. The results of this study make a substantial contribution to the field of OT cybersecurity by providing a precise and comprehensive understanding of the issues encountered in the OT environment and suggesting appropriate remedial measures. Exploring cybersecurity concerns in the OT environment presents significant obstacles due to its intricate nature and the need to avoid disruptions to production and operational processes.