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Industry Defence Insights
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Industry Defence Insights
The Evolving World of OT Security
Unlock the secrets of safeguarding our most essential infrastructures with insights that could transform how you view cybersecurity. What happens when the systems controlling our power grids and water plants are compromised? Discover the answer as we explore the pivotal role of the Chief OT Cybersecurity Officer (COTCO), the unsung hero in defending operational technology (OT) from catastrophic cyber threats. With real-world examples like the chilling Frosty Goop attack, we promise to shed light on why these specialized professionals are indispensable in today's increasingly tech-reliant world.
Join us on a journey through the evolving landscape of OT cybersecurity. We'll discuss the unique challenges COTCOs face and the critical skills they must possess, bridging the gap between the fast-paced world of IT and the rugged realities of OT systems. As we navigate through regulatory changes like the EU's NIS2 directive, you'll learn about the growing demand for these experts and the dynamic nature of their roles amid emerging technologies such as cloud computing, AI, and IIOT. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of cybersecurity and the protection of our critical infrastructure.
In today's podcast we are going to dive into dedicated Chief OT Cybersecurity Officer COTCO position within organizations that rely heavily on operational technology.
Speaker 2:Welcome back to another deep dive you guys have been digging into industrial cybersecurity this time.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And wow, the articles and notes you sent really makes you think. It looks like you're especially curious about this whole chief OT cybersecurity officer thing.
Speaker 1:The C-O-T-C-O.
Speaker 2:C-O-T-C-O. Yeah, so is this role really a must have or just another trendy term in the ever changing world of cybersecurity?
Speaker 1:You're hitting the nail on the head with that question.
Speaker 2:Okay, good.
Speaker 1:The COTCO role is getting a lot of buzz, and for good reason. But to get why we need to start with something. Most folks don't realize how much of our lives depends on what's called operational technology or OT.
Speaker 2:Okay, OT.
Speaker 1:We're talking about those industrial control systems. You know ICS.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:The ones that run all that critical infrastructure. We depend on Power grids, water treatment plants, manufacturing even heating systems.
Speaker 2:Gotcha, so not your typical IT setup Right? These are the systems that literally keep society running.
Speaker 1:Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 2:But I'm guessing securing them is a whole different ballgame than, say, protecting data in a company's network.
Speaker 1:Absolutely. A great example of why that's so important is the Frosty Goop attack, which was detailed in one of the articles you sent.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, frosty Goop, I remember that one.
Speaker 1:Hackers went after a heating system.
Speaker 2:During a cold snap.
Speaker 1:Yeah, right in the middle of a brutal cold snap and get this instead of stealing data.
Speaker 2:They messed with the system itself.
Speaker 1:Yeah, they manipulated the system, caused all these malfunctions and disruptions. Imagine the chaos Frozen pipes oh no, Businesses shut down.
Speaker 2:And people freezing.
Speaker 1:Yeah, people without heat in sub-zero temperatures.
Speaker 2:So this wasn't just a data breach? No, this was a direct attack on people's safety.
Speaker 1:Exactly their well-being, everything so that's a pretty chilling picture.
Speaker 2:Literally Right Sounds like OT. Security has way higher stakes. Yeah, but how does this all connect back to needing a Suki Co?
Speaker 1:That incident. It highlights exactly why the Suku TCO role is becoming so crucial See traditional IT security-.
Speaker 2:It's about protecting data.
Speaker 1:Right. It focuses on confidentiality, integrity, preventing those breaches Right. Right, but in OT it's all about real-time safety and functionality. A data breach is bad, sure, but a power plant going offline because of a cyber attack, that's a whole other level of bad with potentially devastating consequences.
Speaker 2:So it's like the difference between losing your wallet and having your whole house collapse.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:The impact is on a totally different scale.
Speaker 1:Exactly.
Speaker 2:Your research makes some pretty compelling arguments for having a dedicated COTCO, and one keeps popping up the sheer complexity of these systems.
Speaker 1:That's a key point. These OT systems are incredibly complex, oh yeah. Think about it. They were often designed decades ago, when security was an afterthought.
Speaker 2:And now we're scrambling.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and now we're trying to retrofit them for this super connected world we live in.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:Which massively expands what we call the attack surface.
Speaker 2:Okay, the attack circus. For those who don't know.
Speaker 1:Basically any point where a hacker could potentially get into a system.
Speaker 2:So it's not just about having a strong firewall anymore. Oh, it's like having I don't know a hundred doors and windows suddenly appear on your house, each needing its own lock and alarm system.
Speaker 1:That's a great way to picture it. Yeah, and to make it even trickier, we're seeing more and more connections between IT and OT systems these days.
Speaker 2:Oh right.
Speaker 1:This convergence can boost efficiency, but it also blurs the lines between traditional IT and OT. Security Makes for a way more complex and challenging environment.
Speaker 2:Okay. So, given this level of complexity, wouldn't it be simpler to just beef up existing IT security teams? Why do we need this specialized COTCO role?
Speaker 1:That's a question a lot of organizations are wrestling with right now. While having a strong IT security team is definitely important, they often lack the super in-depth, specialized knowledge you need to secure these really intricate OT environments. You've got your CISOs chief information security officers. They're fantastic at handling broad cybersecurity strategies, but they might not have hands-on experience with industrial control systems or understand those unique risks linked to OT.
Speaker 2:So it's not just about knowing software and data, it's about understanding the physical machines and processes too.
Speaker 1:Exactly. It's like expecting a general contractor to be an expert electrician, plumber and structural engineer all rolled into one.
Speaker 2:Wow, that's a lot.
Speaker 1:Yeah, at TOTCO, though, they bring that specialized expertise to the table.
Speaker 2:So they know the ins and outs.
Speaker 1:Right. They understand the specific protocols used in industrial control systems, the physical security needs of, say, a power plant, the nuances of SCADA systems that control critical infrastructure. It's a very different skill set. It is One that needs both deep technical knowledge and a real understanding of the operational side of things.
Speaker 2:So complexity is one big argument for the COTCO. What else makes this role so important?
Speaker 1:Well, another major driver is the constantly changing world of regulation. Governments around the world are waking up to how vulnerable critical infrastructure is to cyber attacks. Yeah, and they're stepping in to set some standards.
Speaker 2:Makes sense.
Speaker 1:Your research mentions NIS2.
Speaker 2:NIS2, yeah.
Speaker 1:It's a European Union directive that sets some really strict cybersecurity requirements for key sectors.
Speaker 2:Like energy and transportation.
Speaker 1:Yeah, energy, transportation, healthcare, lots of which rely heavily on OT.
Speaker 2:So it's not just about best practices anymore, it's about meeting specific legal requirements. What happens if an organization just ignores something like NIS2?
Speaker 1:The consequences can be pretty serious. We're talking big fines, maybe losing operating licenses and huge reputational damage. Ouch, and the complexity doesn't end there.
Speaker 2:Oh no.
Speaker 1:You've got industry-specific standards piled on top of broader regulations like NIS2. Yeah, Navigating this whole landscape can be a real minefield. A dedicated COT so. They'd be essential in making sure an organization not only gets these regulations.
Speaker 2:But they also implement the right security control.
Speaker 1:Exactly To actually meet all those requirements.
Speaker 2:Okay, complexity and regulations Got it. Your research also brought up a skills gap, right. What exactly does that mean when we're talking about OT cybersecurity?
Speaker 1:That's another massive challenge companies are facing. You've got your traditional IT security folks, wizards at protecting data, but they might not know the first thing about PLCs or SCADA systems. And then, on the flip side, you've got engineers who know those OT systems like the back of their hand. They might not have the cybersecurity know-how to properly secure them.
Speaker 2:So it's almost like two separate languages.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And we need someone who's fluent in both, would you say. The COTCO is kind of like that translator.
Speaker 1:You hit the nail on the head. The COTCO bridges that gap.
Speaker 2:They can speak both languages.
Speaker 1:Yeah, they can speak the language of IT security and the language of OT operations, understanding the risks, the vulnerabilities and the best ways to deal with those threats without disrupting those crucial functions.
Speaker 2:It's a tough balancing act. It is this is really starting to make it clear why this COTCO role is gaining so much traction.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, I want to bring this back to our listeners directly. Why should you care about COTTs, even if you don't work in a technical field? What's the big picture here?
Speaker 1:That's a crucial question. Yeah, the reality is we all depend on critical infrastructure every single day, whether we realize it or not. Right, the electricity that powers our homes, the water we drink.
Speaker 2:Transportation.
Speaker 1:Yeah, transportation systems, the food we eat, all of these things rely on OT systems working safely and reliably.
Speaker 2:So an attack on an OT system isn't just some abstract cyber threat happening in a server room somewhere.
Speaker 1:No.
Speaker 2:It could directly hit our daily lives.
Speaker 1:Exactly. Think about it. What if a cyber attack messes up the supply chain and there are suddenly shortages of essential goods at the grocery store?
Speaker 2:Oh, wow.
Speaker 1:Or an attack on a hospital's power grid.
Speaker 2:Putting patients at risk.
Speaker 1:Right Compromises patient care. These aren't just hypotheticals.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Very real possibilities in our interconnected world.
Speaker 2:OK, so maybe we should all be paying attention to this QTCO thing.
Speaker 1:It's not just about data anymore.
Speaker 2:It's about protecting the very systems that keep our society running.
Speaker 1:You got it, and that's why the emergence of the CEDOTCO role is so significant.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:It shows a growing recognition of the unique challenges and the crucial importance of securing our operational technology.
Speaker 2:So we've covered a lot of ground already. We talked about the rising complexity of OT systems, the increasing pressure from regulations and the skills gap that makes finding the right people for this job such a challenge, but there's still so much more to uncover. Yeah for me, we'll delve even deeper into the evolving role of the C-CoTCO and the challenges they face in securing our increasingly interconnected world. Next time, Sounds good.
Speaker 1:You know, what's fascinating is that the need for CoTCOs. It's only going to get bigger in the coming years.
Speaker 2:Yeah, makes sense.
Speaker 1:As technology keeps advancing and those threats change, the COTCO role has to keep up. The articles you sent they highlight this, talking about how those regulations and requirements are constantly evolving.
Speaker 2:So it's not like you set it and forget it.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:Sounds like the COTCO needs to be super adaptable, thinking ahead all the time.
Speaker 1:Exactly. It's not just putting out fires, it's figuring out where the next fire might start and being ready for it.
Speaker 2:That makes a lot of sense.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:It really shows how important that specialized knowledge and a deep understanding of risk management is, which makes me wonder what are the biggest risks SIGOTCOs are dealing with? Are they that different from the risks we see in regular IT security?
Speaker 1:They can be pretty different. Remember, with OT, we're not just protecting data, we're protecting physical processes, right, right. So a COTCO has to think about a whole new set of risks. Think about equipment failure. A cyber attack could cause a turbine to break down or a pipeline to burst.
Speaker 2:Oh, wow.
Speaker 1:And then you've got things like extreme weather, floods, even a lightning strike. Those can all create weaknesses that hackers could use.
Speaker 2:So a hacker could actually trigger a real-world disaster.
Speaker 1:Absolutely.
Speaker 2:By causing a piece of critical infrastructure to malfunction.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and the ripple effects could be huge. They could impact power, water supplies, transportation, you name it.
Speaker 2:So the COTCO isn't just sitting behind a computer looking at code. They're actually out there in the field understanding the physical systems.
Speaker 1:Exactly. They need to really understand the operational processes, the potential points of failure, how all the different systems work together. It's way more hands-on than people realize.
Speaker 2:And that's where their specialized knowledge is so important.
Speaker 1:Right. A COTCO needs to be able to assess these unique risks, develop strategies to deal with them and put in place security controls specifically for that OT environment. They need to be really familiar with industrial control system protocols, SCADA systems, the weaknesses of specific equipment.
Speaker 2:Sounds like a lot to keep track of.
Speaker 1:It is. It's a complex field that's always changing.
Speaker 2:It sounds like finding someone with that kind of expertise is like finding a needle in a haystack.
Speaker 1:It can be tough, for sure, yeah, but the good news is that universities and training programs are starting to get it.
Speaker 2:They're realizing.
Speaker 1:They're realizing. The demand for OT cybersecurity professionals is growing. Makes sense and more companies are seeing that investing in this kind of talent is crucial.
Speaker 2:For protecting their operations.
Speaker 1:Yeah, to protect their operations and, ultimately, their bottom line.
Speaker 2:So, while the role is still developing, it's definitely here to stay.
Speaker 1:I think it's safe to say that, as we depend more and more on technology and those cyber threats keep evolving, the need for dedicated OT cybersecurity experts like Cotico's it's only going to get stronger OT cybersecurity experts like Cotico's.
Speaker 2:It's only gonna get stronger, right? Yeah, okay, so we've established that Cotico's are vital. They need a really specific set of skills, and their role is always adapting to new challenges. Uh-huh, but let's bring this back to our listener one more time. Okay. What's the key takeaway you want them to leave with?
Speaker 1:I think the most important thing to understand is that OT cybersecurity it's not just an IT issue, it's a business issue.
Speaker 2:Ah, interesting At its core.
Speaker 1:It's about protecting the essential functions of an organization, whether that's making products, delivering energy, providing health care, any of those critical services.
Speaker 2:And that's why having a dedicated COT CO.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Someone who understands both the technical side and the business side is so crucial.
Speaker 1:Exactly, they're that bridge between IT security and operations, making sure that those essential systems are protected and that companies can keep running safely and reliably, even with those cyber threats constantly changing.
Speaker 2:Your insights have been really valuable.
Speaker 1:Glad to hear it.
Speaker 2:Speaking of valuable insights, there's something really interesting in the research you sent over.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah.
Speaker 2:The material ends with a thought-provoking question. It talks about those changing regulations we discussed, but then it asks this Okay. What emerging technologies or threats do you think will shape the future of the GAU-TCO role? That's a big one to just leave us hanging with.
Speaker 1:It is a big question and there's no simple answer, but if we think back to what we were talking about earlier, I think one of the things that's going to have a huge impact is that ongoing convergence of IT and OT.
Speaker 2:Right, that expanding attack surface we were talking about.
Speaker 1:Exactly.
Speaker 2:More connections, more places to be vulnerable, but how does that specifically affect what a key OTCO has to do?
Speaker 1:As those lines between IT and OT keep getting blurrier, the COTCO is going to have to get even better at navigating both worlds. Okay, They'll need to work really closely with IT security teams making sure those traditional security measures are adapted and used effectively in these unique OT environments.
Speaker 2:So it's not just about knowing OT, it's about being able to explain those needs to the IT people.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:And vice versa, a real bridge builder, like you said.
Speaker 1:That's a great way to put it and those bridge building skills are going to be even more important as technologies like cloud computing.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, the cloud.
Speaker 1:Artificial intelligence.
Speaker 2:IOT.
Speaker 1:And the Industrial Internet of Things. I yeah the cloud Artificial intelligence, iot and the. Industrial Internet of Things, IIOT. Lots of acronyms Right IIOT become more common in OT environments.
Speaker 2:Hold on, we're getting into some serious buzzword territory here. Can you break those down for our listeners? Sure, and explain why they matter to the COTCO of the future. Of course, let's start with the cloud. Okay, the cloud.
Speaker 1:As more and more OT systems move to cloud-based platforms, the COTCO will need to understand the unique security challenges that come with that. So data security in the cloud access control making sure those cloud applications are working right, that kind of thing. Exactly All those things become super important.
Speaker 2:So the COTCO's expertise isn't just about physical systems anymore. Nope, it's moving into the digital world too.
Speaker 1:Exactly. And then there's AI, ai, right. Ai can be incredibly powerful for OT security. Think about detecting threats in real time.
Speaker 2:Okay.
Speaker 1:Analyzing anomalies. Ai can play a big role there.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:But it also brings new risks.
Speaker 2:Oh, how so.
Speaker 1:What if hackers start using AI-powered attacks or figure out how to manipulate those AI algorithms? The FOTCO needs to understand those emerging threats and how to handle them.
Speaker 2:It sounds like the FOTCO is going to need a crystal ball to keep up with all this.
Speaker 1:Maybe not a crystal ball, right, but definitely a good eye on what's coming and a commitment to keep learning Right. And while we're talking about new technologies, we can't forget the industrial internet of things.
Speaker 2:IoT right.
Speaker 1:Connecting all that industrial equipment to the internet.
Speaker 2:It opens up lots of possibilities.
Speaker 1:It does, but it also creates a huge new attack surface.
Speaker 2:Back to that expanding attack surface again.
Speaker 1:Right. More connections mean more vulnerabilities, so the COTO has to be an expert in IoT security too.
Speaker 2:So, on top of everything else, they need to know how to secure these devices, manage all that data and stop attackers from exploiting weaknesses in the IOT world.
Speaker 1:Exactly.
Speaker 2:Wow, that's a lot for one person.
Speaker 1:It is.
Speaker 2:It's like the COTCO of the future needs to be some kind of cybersecurity superhero. Maybe, but seriously, this has been a really insightful deep dive. Yeah, we've gone from figuring out what a KCO does to understanding why they're so important, and now we're looking ahead at what challenges and opportunities are coming next.
Speaker 1:It's definitely a dynamic and fascinating field.
Speaker 2:It is, and as our world keeps relying more and more on technology, the need for skilled and dedicated OT cybersecurity professionals, like COCCOs, is only going to grow.
Speaker 1:I agree.
Speaker 2:And, on that note, we want to leave you with one final thought. We've talked about the new technologies that are going to shape the future of the COT hey role, but what about the new threats? What new dangers are out there that the COTCO of tomorrow needs to be ready for? It's something to think about as you keep exploring this important field. Thanks for joining us on this deep dive and until next time, keep learning and stay curious.
Speaker 1:This podcast is supported by OTCET EU Cohort.