# Cabreza > OT Security Program Solutions --- ## Pages - [Blog](https://cabreza.com/blog/): Stay up to date with the informative insights, tips, strategies and stories on OT security approaches through Cabreza's expert and experience-based blog posts. - [Schedule A Meeting](https://cabreza.com/schedule-a-meeting/): Schedule A Meeting Home - [Managed OT Security Program](https://cabreza.com/products/managed-ot-security-program/): Managed OT Security Program Home Managed OT Security Program Know you need a program but don’t know where to start?... - [Core Outcome Solution](https://cabreza.com/products/core-outcome-solution/): Core Outcome Solution Home Core Outcome Solution COS is our core business engine, wrapped in a concierge service model to... - [Cabreza Platform](https://cabreza.com/products/cabreza-qokui/): Cabreza Platform Home Cabreza Platform An AI-native content generation platform to help organizations unlock OT security capabilities for security teams... - [Company](https://cabreza.com/company/): Cabreza's mission is to enable IT/OT security teams to build competent OT security self-reliance, defining cyber, physical, safety, reliability, and resilience. - [Resources](https://cabreza.com/resources/): Community based OT security resources, including U.S. and EU regulations, standards, frameworks, and conference information to stay informed and compliant. - [Chemical](https://cabreza.com/industries/chemical/): Chemical Home Chemical Chemical sector companies with operations in the US and/or EU face critical OT security challenges due to... - [Food & Beverage](https://cabreza.com/industries/food-beverage/): Food & Beverage Home Food & Beverage Food and beverage companies with operations in the US and/or EU face a... - [Automotive](https://cabreza.com/industries/automotive/): Automotive Home Automotive Automotive companies with operations in the US and/or EU must manage complex OT security challenges stemming from... - [Natural Resources](https://cabreza.com/industries/natural-resources/): Natural Resources Home Natural Resources Natural resources companies—whether operating in oil and gas, mining, or utilities—with a presence in the... - [Pharmaceutical](https://cabreza.com/industries/pharmaceutical/): Pharmaceutical Home Pharmaceutical Pharmaceutical companies operating in the US and/or EU faces significant OT security challenges due to its strict... - [Products](https://cabreza.com/products/): Cabreza's OT security products include the outcome solution, managed program and documentation platforms designed to build and action OT security processes. - [Manufacturing](https://cabreza.com/industries/manufacturing/): Manufacturing Home Manufacturing Manufacturing companies operating in the US and/or EU face complex OT security challenges due to the convergence... - [Maritime](https://cabreza.com/industries/maritime/): Maritime Home Maritime Maritime companies with operations in the US and/or EU must navigate unique OT security challenges driven by... - [Industries](https://cabreza.com/industries/): Cabreza's OT security products address unique challenges across various incudstrial sectors to providing tailored OT security process and program outcomes. - [Home](https://cabreza.com/): Cabreza OT security approach empowers organizations to build, run and optimize OT security programs through tailored documentation and expert guidance. --- ## Posts - [OT Cybersecurity's Boring Backbone We Keep Ignoring](https://cabreza.com/ot-cybersecuritys-boring-backbone-we-keep-ignoring/): There’s a persistent blind spot in how industrial organizations approach OT cybersecurity: reporting structures. Not tools. Not zero-days. Not AI-enhanced... - [What Exactly Is an OT Security Program? It’s Time YOU Define It.](https://cabreza.com/what-exactly-is-an-ot-security-program-its-time-you-define-it/): Most industrial asset owners probably need an OT security program. Few can describe what that actually means or would entail... - [Bridging the Divide: How Cybersecurity Architects Can Secure OT Without Owning It](https://cabreza.com/how-cybersecurity-architects-can-secure-ot-without-owning-it/): IT cybersecurity budgets can be strategically shared to support OT security initiatives, helping foster collaboration and align incentives between IT... - [Tools Deployed, Questions Remain](https://cabreza.com/tools-deployed-questions-remain/): Cybersecurity architects and leaders face challenges after deploying security tools. There also needs to be focus on operationalizing these tools... - [NIS2 Is Here](https://cabreza.com/nis2-has-arrived/): Security architects in industrial sectors: discover how to build NIS2-compliant OT cybersecurity programs with a focus on governance, policy, and... --- # # Detailed Content ## Pages > Stay up to date with the informative insights, tips, strategies and stories on OT security approaches through Cabreza's expert and experience-based blog posts. - Published: 2025-06-06 - Modified: 2025-06-15 - URL: https://cabreza.com/blog/ Blog Home Read the latest news. We provide digital experience services to startups and small businesses. mubashir 1 day ago 5 reasons to purchase desktop computers I think that you should be able to select more than one reason for rating. mubashir 1 day ago OT Security Program Budgets I think that you should be able to select more than one reason for rating. mubashir 5 years ago Utilizing mobile technology in the field I think that you should be able to select more than one reason for rating. --- - Published: 2025-06-04 - Modified: 2025-06-06 - URL: https://cabreza.com/schedule-a-meeting/ Schedule A Meeting Home --- - Published: 2025-06-01 - Modified: 2025-06-01 - URL: https://cabreza.com/products/managed-ot-security-program/ Managed OT Security Program Home Managed OT Security Program Know you need a program but don’t know where to start? Should you buy tools or hire FTE’s first? Need to build a business case, create an investment strategy and organize teams? Struggling to influence program efforts with the right regulatory and compliance requirements? Know you have OT but don’t have the experience or expertise to understand right and wrong? Need help prioritizing efforts? Have an existing or previous program needing revision, or updates since originally created? We know OT security programs, having led and contributed to quite a few. They require planning, communication, relationship building, clear decision making and fit-for-purpose alignment on solutions, expectations, priorities and goals. A fully managed program is run by us through its entirety with you A partially managed program is collaborative, which each of us owning certain aspects. Our Managed OT Security Program product gets your program moving quickly and is based on best-in-class, industry OT Security standards. --- - Published: 2025-05-27 - Modified: 2025-07-29 - URL: https://cabreza.com/products/core-outcome-solution/ Core Outcome Solution Home Core Outcome Solution COS is our core business engine, wrapped in a concierge service model to deliver quality and completeness. This is an outcome-based offering. We use our proprietary backend AI solution to produce outcomes that meet any OT security program demands of industrial organizations today. While we do not currently provide an advisory or consulting business or cost model, we advise and develop a roadmap with you (for free) and then execute it. We prefer the long-term partner relationship over the transaction. Core Outcome Solution A dedicated OT security subject matter expert (SME) and single point of contact A strategic conversation used to develop a comprehensive plan A roadmap developed for and tailored to your organization, program and initiatives Tailored drafts for your review within days from initial conversations Followed by revised drafts ready for organizational approval and publication SME support until approval has been reached But COS is not just our business engine. It is also: A backend AI solution we custom developed Comparable to the output of 4. 5 consulting or contractor resources Achieves ~40% savings in time to complete vs human resources Achieves ~60% savings in cost over time and material fee structures Tuned for accuracy and technical competency in OT and OT security Reliably unphased by the personal circumstances of human beings A few of our best COS products are Feature Product OT Security Program OT security program development is our most core competency. We have taken part in numerous programs,... --- - Published: 2025-05-27 - Modified: 2025-07-29 - URL: https://cabreza.com/products/cabreza-qokui/ Cabreza Platform Home Cabreza Platform An AI-native content generation platform to help organizations unlock OT security capabilities for security teams and programs. Software-and-a-Service offering with the ability to manage program maturity, expertise and intelligence. Gone are the days of documents dying the day they’re published. People and technology change constantly, why don’t your process change with them? Gone are the days of non-regulated sector standardization being a myth. It sure would be helpful if two different manufacturing companies could standardize on specific aspects of their programs, and bolster their industry. Gone are the days of not knowing what your peers are doing or being able to talk directly about it. If you’re an IT/OT Security Architect in maritime, wouldn’t it helpful for you to be able to talk with another IT/OT Security Architect in maritime about a particular policy? Gone are the days of every asset owner having to execute on bespoke and unstandardized documentation. Why doesn’t every asset owner, regardless of maturity or budget, have access to the same best practices? C’mon. The Cabreza platform provides: Context and content Content supports all the aspects of running a program, and goes well beyond "documentation. " Program Planning See how changes will improve your maturity and by when, with executive level reporting and visuals. Change notification, revision and acceptance It’s not just that we produce living documentation, we also give you control over that process. Sector and role specific anonymized insights Optionally see and share program facets across roles and sectors.... --- > Cabreza's mission is to enable IT/OT security teams to build competent OT security self-reliance, defining cyber, physical, safety, reliability, and resilience. - Published: 2025-05-26 - Modified: 2025-07-25 - URL: https://cabreza.com/company/ Company Home Leadership Team Cabreza was formed with the humble yet ambitious mission of helping industrial organizations achieve cyber self-reliance. Frustrated by the limitations of today’s market, we’re innovating to bring down the barriers to OT security knowledge, expertise and experience. We're here to enable OT security teams and programs to be successful no matter how big the team or budget. Jason Rivera Founder Jason is a former consulting partner and Gartner analyst with uncommon technical and leadership experience spanning security service build and delivery, strategy and partnerships, product and market analysis, thought leadership and business development. He's an industry expert with industrial security experience across Fortune 10, 500 and 2000 in primarily Manufacturing, Food & Bev, Maritime, Life Sciences, Distribution, Chemical, Energy and other sectors. Board of Advisors Edison Alvarez MedTech Security Strategy | Product, Regulatory Expert Current: Becton DickinsonFormer: Siemens HealthcareEdison Alvarez is a highly experienced leader in medical device cybersecurity and regulatory strategic planning, with a strong background in portfolio and product management. Edison has held several senior roles where he has led program development, medical device cybersecurity policies, and compliance frameworks that meet increasingly complex global requirements and customer expectations. He is also an accomplished leader managing global teams supporting organizational-wide programs. He has collaborated with key strategic industry partners such as the FDA, Healthcare Sector Coordinating Council, and UL to influence product security advancements for the medical device industry. In addition, he is a tenured speaker, leading discussions for AdvaMed Cybersecurity Summit, International Medical Device... --- > Community based OT security resources, including U.S. and EU regulations, standards, frameworks, and conference information to stay informed and compliant. - Published: 2025-05-26 - Modified: 2025-06-15 - URL: https://cabreza.com/resources/ Resources Home Resources We provide digital experience services to startups and small businesses. EU OT Security Regulation, Standard and Framework resourcesInternational OT Security Thought LeadersUS OT Security Conferences & SummitsUS OT security Regulation, Standard and Framework resources EU OT Security Regulation, Standard and Framework resourcesInternational OT Security Thought LeadersUS OT Security Conferences & SummitsUS OT security Regulation, Standard and Framework resources mubashir 1 day ago 5 reasons to purchase desktop computers I think that you should be able to select more than one reason for rating. mubashir 1 day ago OT Security Program Budgets I think that you should be able to select more than one reason for rating. mubashir 5 years ago Utilizing mobile technology in the field I think that you should be able to select more than one reason for rating. --- - Published: 2025-05-26 - Modified: 2025-06-06 - URL: https://cabreza.com/industries/chemical/ Chemical Home Chemical Chemical sector companies with operations in the US and/or EU face critical OT security challenges due to the inherently hazardous nature of its processes, stringent safety requirements, and increasing digitalization of control systems. Chemical plants rely heavily on Industrial Control Systems (ICS), Distributed Control Systems (DCS), and Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS), all of which must operate with high precision and reliability. Many of these systems were not originally designed with cybersecurity in mind, making them susceptible to modern threats such as ransomware, insider manipulation, and nation-state attacks targeting intellectual property or causing physical disruption. The stakes are exceptionally high: a successful cyberattack could lead to toxic releases, explosions, or environmental damage. Compliance with regulations such as the US Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS), EU SEVESO III Directive, and emerging cybersecurity rules under NIS2 requires detailed risk assessments, continuous monitoring, and strict access control across both digital and physical perimeters. Additionally, the sector’s complex supply chains and frequent integration of third-party equipment and contractors expand the attack surface. To manage these risks, chemical companies must adopt a robust OT security program that blends real-time threat detection, strict process integrity controls, and cross-disciplinary collaboration between IT, engineering, and safety teams—all while maintaining uninterrupted production and regulatory compliance. --- - Published: 2025-05-26 - Modified: 2025-07-25 - URL: https://cabreza.com/industries/food-beverage/ Food & Beverage Home Food & Beverage Food and beverage companies with operations in the US and/or EU face a distinct set of OT security challenges driven by the industry's focus on high-volume production, stringent health and safety standards, and increasing automation. Facilities often operate 24/7 and depend on interconnected OT systems such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs), automated packaging lines, and temperature control systems to maintain efficiency, product quality, and regulatory compliance. However, these systems are frequently built on legacy technologies with minimal built-in security, making them vulnerable to ransomware, supply chain attacks, and operational disruption. Cyber incidents in this sector can lead to large-scale product spoilage, recalls, or shutdowns, directly impacting public health and brand reputation. Regulatory frameworks such as the U. S. Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and the EU’s General Food Law Regulation (EC No. 178/2002) intersect with cybersecurity mandates like the NIS2 Directive, placing additional pressure on organizations to ensure system integrity and traceability. The reliance on third-party vendors and increasing use of Industrial IoT (IIoT) devices further expand the attack surface. To address these challenges, food and beverage companies must implement a layered OT security strategy that includes network segmentation, access control, anomaly detection, and comprehensive incident response plans—all while preserving the operational tempo and ensuring compliance with both food safety and cybersecurity regulations. --- - Published: 2025-05-26 - Modified: 2025-07-25 - URL: https://cabreza.com/industries/automotive/ Automotive Home Automotive Automotive companies with operations in the US and/or EU must manage complex OT security challenges stemming from highly automated manufacturing environments, intricate global supply chains, and increasingly connected production systems. Automotive factories rely on a vast array of OT systems—including robotics, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and manufacturing execution systems (MES)—to maintain precision, efficiency, and safety. Many of these systems were not designed with modern cybersecurity threats in mind, making them susceptible to attacks that could disrupt production lines, compromise proprietary designs, or introduce defects into safety-critical components. Cyber threats such as ransomware, intellectual property theft, and tampering with robotic control logic pose significant operational and reputational risks. At the same time, compliance obligations under standards like the US NIST Cybersecurity Framework, EU NIS2 Directive, and sector-specific guidelines such as ISO/SAE 21434 for automotive cybersecurity demand proactive risk management and robust OT security governance. The rise of Industry 4. 0 and increased reliance on Industrial IoT (IIoT) devices only expands the attack surface, requiring secure device onboarding, segmentation, and real-time monitoring. To address these challenges, automotive companies must adopt a defense-in-depth strategy that integrates OT and IT security, emphasizes continuous monitoring, enforces strict access controls, and supports rapid incident response—while ensuring production uptime and global compliance. --- - Published: 2025-05-26 - Modified: 2025-07-25 - URL: https://cabreza.com/industries/natural-resources/ Natural Resources Home Natural Resources Natural resources companies—whether operating in oil and gas, mining, or utilities—with a presence in the US and/or EU face formidable OT security challenges due to the highly distributed, remote, and hazardous nature of its operations. These environments rely heavily on OT systems such as SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition), distributed control systems (DCS), and remote terminal units (RTUs) to monitor and control critical processes across pipelines, rigs, refineries, and extraction sites. Many of these systems were designed decades ago for reliability and safety—not cybersecurity—making them vulnerable to modern threats like ransomware, state-sponsored sabotage, and supply chain intrusions. The consequences of a cyberattack can be severe, including environmental damage, operational downtime, physical harm, and national security implications. Regulatory pressures are also intensifying, with frameworks like the US TSA Pipeline Security Directives, NERC CIP standards for energy, and the EU’s NIS2 Directive requiring robust risk management, continuous monitoring, and incident response capabilities. The use of Industrial IoT (IIoT) devices and cloud-connected analytics further expands the attack surface, particularly in remote or hard-to-secure environments. To mitigate these risks, natural resources companies must implement a resilient OT security strategy focused on asset visibility, network segmentation, secure remote access, and a strong cyber-physical incident response capability—while aligning with global compliance standards and ensuring operational continuity in critical infrastructure. --- - Published: 2025-05-26 - Modified: 2025-07-25 - URL: https://cabreza.com/industries/pharmaceutical/ Pharmaceutical Home Pharmaceutical Pharmaceutical companies operating in the US and/or EU faces significant OT security challenges due to its strict regulatory environment, reliance on precision-controlled manufacturing processes, and the sensitive nature of its intellectual property and product integrity. Pharmaceutical facilities utilize OT systems such as Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Building Management Systems (BMS), and automation platforms to manage everything from batch processing and cleanroom conditions to packaging and serialization. These systems are often tightly coupled with enterprise IT systems, increasing exposure to cyber threats like ransomware, data tampering, and supply chain attacks. A successful breach can compromise product quality, halt production, or lead to regulatory violations—jeopardizing public health and causing major financial and reputational damage. Regulatory frameworks such as the FDA’s 21 CFR Part 11, EU Annex 11, and cybersecurity mandates under the NIS2 Directive require robust controls around data integrity, traceability, and system availability. Additionally, the sector’s heavy use of third-party contract manufacturers and logistics partners introduces further risk. To meet these demands, pharmaceutical companies must implement a layered OT security strategy that includes rigorous access control, system hardening, continuous monitoring, and alignment with GxP (Good Automated Manufacturing Practice) requirements—ensuring both cyber resilience and regulatory compliance without disrupting critical drug production workflows. --- > Cabreza's OT security products include the outcome solution, managed program and documentation platforms designed to build and action OT security processes. - Published: 2025-05-26 - Modified: 2025-07-29 - URL: https://cabreza.com/products/ Products Home Products Cabreza is a new kind of OT security partner. Because we’re technology-enabled, we work efficiently in terms of time (to complete), accuracy (technical and language) and cost. But because we’re also highly experienced in OT security and practice what we preach, we know that technology is only as good as the humans who support it – and we do not produce any outcome that hasn’t been fully human looped. We write based on or aligned to standards, either developed by us or industry best practices. We don’t just write and walk away. We support each outcome until it’s been fully approved by your organization. We’re the partner that actions the recommendations and findings you have waiting in a platform or report. We only write tailored documents. Not custom, tailored. Tailored to OT, to OT security, the business, the organization, regulations, tools, people and teams in place. We don’t just write for today. We write for where you are and where you plan to go. We write based on or aligned to industry standards and best practices. We don’t just write and walk away. We support each outcome until it’s been fully approved by your organization. We’re the partner that actions the recommendations and findings you have waiting in a platform or report. We only write tailored documents. Not custom, tailored. Tailored to OT, to OT security, the business, the organization, regulations, tools, people and teams in place. We don’t just write for today. We write for where... --- - Published: 2025-05-26 - Modified: 2025-07-25 - URL: https://cabreza.com/industries/manufacturing/ Manufacturing Home Manufacturing Manufacturing companies operating in the US and/or EU face complex OT security challenges due to the convergence of legacy industrial systems with modern IT infrastructure, heightened regulatory scrutiny, and geographically dispersed operations. These environments often rely on decades-old equipment that lacks native cybersecurity controls, making them vulnerable to modern threats such as ransomware and supply chain compromises. The need to maintain high availability and safety in production processes limits the feasibility of traditional IT security practices like frequent patching or system reboots. Furthermore, compliance with stringent regulations—such as NIS2 in the EU or sector-specific guidance from NIST in the US—requires tailored security architectures, rigorous access control, continuous monitoring, and incident response plans that consider both cyber and physical impacts. Balancing operational continuity, cross-border data integrity, and evolving cyber risks places immense demand on manufacturers to adopt a resilient, layered OT security approach that is both proactive and adaptive. --- - Published: 2025-05-26 - Modified: 2025-07-25 - URL: https://cabreza.com/industries/maritime/ Maritime Home Maritime Maritime companies with operations in the US and/or EU must navigate unique OT security challenges driven by a highly mobile, globally distributed, and safety-critical environment. Ships, ports, and offshore platforms rely on integrated OT systems—such as navigation controls, propulsion management, cargo handling, and communication networks—that are increasingly digitized but often built on legacy technologies not designed with cybersecurity in mind. These systems are exposed to growing cyber threats, including GPS spoofing, satellite communication breaches, and ransomware targeting port operations, all while needing to function reliably in remote or constrained environments. Regulatory mandates like the IMO's Cyber Risk Management guidelines (MSC. 428(98)) and EU’s NIS2 Directive add compliance pressure, requiring ship operators and port authorities to implement risk-based cybersecurity programs and ensure business continuity. The maritime sector’s dependence on third-party service providers, coupled with the operational complexity of coordinating between ships at sea and shore-based infrastructure, demands robust network segmentation, secure remote access, and continuous threat monitoring. Ultimately, maintaining safe and efficient maritime operations in this context requires a holistic, multi-layered OT security strategy that can adapt to both evolving threats and international regulatory landscapes. --- > Cabreza's OT security products address unique challenges across various incudstrial sectors to providing tailored OT security process and program outcomes. - Published: 2021-10-11 - Modified: 2025-06-15 - URL: https://cabreza.com/industries/ Industries Home Industry-Leading Expertise Across a Variety of Sectors Chemical Chemical sector companies with operations in the US and/or EU face critical OT security challenges... Maritime Maritime companies with operations in the US and/or EU must navigate unique OT security challenges ... Food & Bev Food and beverage companies with operations in the US and/or EU face a distinct set of OT security challenges ... Manufacturing Manufacturing companies operating in the US and/or EU face complex OT security challenges... Automotive Automotive companies with operations in the US and/or EU must manage complex OT security challenges... Natural Resources Natural resources companies—whether operating in oil and gas, mining, or utilities—with a presence in the US... Pharmaceutical Pharmaceutical companies operating in the US and/or EU faces significant OT security challenges ... --- > Cabreza OT security approach empowers organizations to build, run and optimize OT security programs through tailored documentation and expert guidance. - Published: 2021-10-07 - Modified: 2025-07-25 - URL: https://cabreza.com/ OT Security Program Solutions Establishing an OT security program is the first step every organization should take to protect their industrial environment. Explore More Explore Our Products Core Outcome Solution COS is our core business engine, wrapped in a concierge service model to deliver quality... Read More Managed Program Our Managed OT Security Program product gets your program moving quickly and is based on best-in-class, industry OT Security standards. Read More Cabreza Platform An AI-native content generation platform to help organizations unlock OT security capabilities... Read More An OT Security Program Develops the practice of protecting industrial people, processes and assets Aligns security efforts with business influences Assesses individual locations for cyber and physical security risks Establishes investment priorities Communicates strategic vision Creates a model of governance Defines Policies, Standards, Controls, Procedures Establishes guidelines and objectives Manages risks and issues Creates an understanding of OT systems and topologies Influences global and local OT security cultures Implements cyber, safety, reliability and resilience safeguards and countermeasures Develops risk management, security operations and continuous growth About Company How OT Security Capabilities Build Programs Contrary to popular belief, any capability can serve as a launch point to an OT security program of any influence, size, scale, priority, maturity or budget. A capability is not, however, a program on its own or a replacement for a program. Some of the better-known OT security capabilities include: network segmentation secure remote access security monitoring and detection access control removable media protection (thanks Stuxnet) security risk and compliance... --- --- ## Posts - Published: 2025-08-01 - Modified: 2025-08-01 - URL: https://cabreza.com/ot-cybersecuritys-boring-backbone-we-keep-ignoring/ - Categories: Blog Single There’s a persistent blind spot in how industrial organizations approach OT cybersecurity: reporting structures. Not tools. Not zero-days. Not AI-enhanced analytics. Just the basic structure of who reports to whom, how decisions are made, and whether anyone has real authority to respond when something actually happens. It doesn't get discussed at conferences. It rarely appears in vendor roadmaps. And yet, when major incidents occur, it’s often these unexamined organizational mechanics that create delays, confusion, or prevent meaningful response altogether. This isn’t a technology conversation. It’s an operational one. The Problem: Structure as Afterthought In many organizations, OT cybersecurity is subordinated to either IT (which typically doesn’t fully understand the operational environment), or to plant operations (which isn’t always equipped to manage security risk). As a result: OT security teams often lack direct reporting lines to CISOs. Site-level personnel are left to interpret guidance with little or unclear authority. Escalation pathways are unclear, inconsistent, or overly dependent on individual knowledge. That structural ambiguity can create significant lags during events. Not because people are careless, but because there is no clearly defined process they can follow. The assumption is often that tools and controls are sufficient. But when response requires judgment, escalation, and coordination across departments, structure becomes critical. Historical Examples Where Structure Was the Issue To establish some precedence and prevent this from being seen as overly biased marketing, here are incidents where process (or the absence of it) was a major factor: IncidentStructural WeaknessTarget (2013)Security alerts were generated, but there... --- - Published: 2025-07-25 - Modified: 2025-07-25 - URL: https://cabreza.com/what-exactly-is-an-ot-security-program-its-time-you-define-it/ - Categories: International OT Security Thought Leaders - Tags: Frameworks, OT Security Capabilities, OT Security Program, OT Security Tools, Regulations, Standards Most industrial asset owners probably need an OT security program. Few can describe what that actually means or would entail though, in operational terms. And that’s not a fault. It's a reflection of where we are as a community: numerous standards and frameworks, incomplete regulatory drivers, converging environments and an ecosystem of vendors and experts defining “OT security” in their own ways. Well, asset owners should take the charge. YOU define it. It does not have to have every bell and whistle, nuance, boundary pushing, disruptive, untenable objective laid out in a multiyear Gantt chart sitting in a slide. But as a founder and practitioner in OT security, I see this confusion play regularly. Clients often ask: “How would we take on such a huge effort? We have a detection tool, asset inventory and a firewall. ”“I'm compliant. Why would I need a program? "“Who would own the program? ” These aren’t just tactical questions. They expose deeper issues: 1) We lack a shared operational definition of what constitutes an OT Security Program. 2) Most programs are reactive, checklist-driven, or inherited from IT. What Should an OT Security Program Actually Consist Of? At its core, a program should be a structured, continuously managed and consensus based approach to securing industrial operations in context of the business, processes, and physical outcomes they support. Here’s a pragmatic framework to start with: 1. Mission and Operating Context What does “secure operations” mean for your organization? What uptime/downtime impacts can you afford? What are... --- - Published: 2025-06-06 - Modified: 2025-06-06 - URL: https://cabreza.com/how-cybersecurity-architects-can-secure-ot-without-owning-it/ - Categories: Blog Single, EU OT Security Regulation, Standard and Framework resources, International OT Security Thought Leaders, US OT security Regulation, Standard and Framework resources IT cybersecurity budgets can be strategically shared to support OT security initiatives, helping foster collaboration and align incentives between IT and OT. Introduction: Securing What You Don’t ControlIn large industrial enterprises, securing operational technology (OT) has evolved from a nice-to-have to a regulatory and business imperative. Yet for cybersecurity architects, this mission comes with a twist: you’re often responsible for security outcomes on systems you don’t own. That’s because OT environments—factory floors, control systems, SCADA networks—typically fall under the purview of engineering, not IT. As attacks on industrial infrastructure increase, so do expectations for IT security leaders to engage, influence, and protect OT assets. So how do you secure OT without direct control? Through governance, empathy, and a collaborative use of cybersecurity resources. Governance in the Gray Zone: Where IT and OT OverlapWhile IT and OT have distinct priorities, their networks are increasingly intertwined. As a result, risks once isolated in one domain can now propagate to the other. But here's the catch: OT teams often lack the funding, headcount, and security experience to manage these risks. Meanwhile, IT security leaders are held accountable for enterprise-wide protection—including OT breaches. This creates a unique opportunity for shared governance and strategic co-investment. The Budget Bridge: A Practical Collaboration Strategy Callout: Using IT Cybersecurity Budget to Secure OT—SmartlyMany IT security programs already carry budget lines for tools, audits, and risk mitigation. Here’s how you can leverage that budget collaboratively:Fund centralized solutions that support both domains:Example: Deploy an enterprise-wide Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system and extend visibility to OT endpoints. The OT team benefits from detection and analytics; you gain visibility into industrial environments.... --- - Published: 2025-06-06 - Modified: 2025-06-06 - URL: https://cabreza.com/tools-deployed-questions-remain/ - Categories: Blog Single Cybersecurity architects and leaders face challenges after deploying security tools. There also needs to be focus on operationalizing these tools through policies, processes, and governance frameworks. Introduction: The Post-Deployment RealityYou’ve deployed the tools. Asset discovery is humming. Network traffic is being inspected. You might even have a shiny new OT SIEM dashboard lighting up your SOC. But then reality sets in. Despite the investment in OT cybersecurity tools—visibility platforms, threat detection, firewalls, segmentation appliances—your job isn’t done. In fact, it may have just started. Because in operational technology environments, tools alone don’t create security. People, process, and governance do. And if those elements aren’t in place, critical questions start to surface. Tools Without Context: A Common PitfallOT security tooling often introduces capabilities—alerts, logs, vulnerabilities—that require action. But who owns the response? What happens next? Without clear operational alignment, these tools can become:Noisy but unactionableUnderutilized or misunderstoodSources of friction between IT and OT teamsWhich leads us to the big question: Now that the tools are installed, what’s the plan? The Key Questions That Still Need Answers Who Uses the Tool—and When? Is it the SOC team, site engineers, or both? During normal operations, who monitors and triages? During incidents, who makes decisions about isolation or shutdown? Without defined roles, even the best tools generate confusion instead of clarity. What Procedures Govern Use of the Tools? Are there runbooks for handling common alerts or anomalies? Do you have job aids or checklists tailored for OT engineers? What does a “normal” event look like—and how is escalation handled? Tools need repeatable, documented workflows that can be followed by both security analysts and plant personnel. What Policies and Standards Apply?... --- - Published: 2025-06-06 - Modified: 2025-06-06 - URL: https://cabreza.com/nis2-has-arrived/ - Categories: Blog Single, US OT Security Conferences & Summits Security architects in industrial sectors: discover how to build NIS2-compliant OT cybersecurity programs with a focus on governance, policy, and architectural standards. Introduction: The Security Architect’s ImperativeAs the NIS2 Directive sharpens regulatory expectations across Europe, industrial organizations are under increasing pressure to elevate their cybersecurity posture—especially in operational technology (OT) environments. For security architects, this isn’t just about protecting endpoints; it’s about engineering resilience into the very foundation of plant systems and industrial networks. The catch? NIS2 compliance isn’t solved by buying the right toolset. It requires structured, policy-driven programs that address governance, standards, and operational integration. Here's how security architects can drive the strategic alignment of OT environments with NIS2's rigorous demands. Why NIS2 Matters to OT Security ArchitectureNIS2 expands upon its predecessor by broadening sectoral coverage, tightening risk governance, and demanding faster incident reporting. For OT-heavy sectors, this presents a clear architectural challenge:Ensuring policy and procedural integration across legacy and modern control systems. Embedding cybersecurity into systems design and lifecycle processes. Creating documentation and reporting structures that meet regulatory scrutiny. In short, NIS2 mandates a comprehensive, systems-thinking approach to cybersecurity governance. Key Architecture Domains for NIS2-Aligned OT Security Programs Governance-Driven Security ArchitectureSecurity architecture in the OT context must be rooted in governance. NIS2 requires clarity in responsibilities, risk ownership, and program oversight. Architects should:Define an OT cybersecurity reference architecture that includes governance models and decision flows. Establish alignment between OT and enterprise cybersecurity frameworks (e. g. , TOGAF, SABSA). Enable auditability and traceability of security decisions across systems and business units. Policy Harmonization Across IT/OT DomainsArchitects play a pivotal role in ensuring policy consistency and enforceability:Develop unified cybersecurity policies that... --- ---