Cited by 315Smart Grid Security and ResilienceInformation and Cyber SecurityIndustrial Automation and Control Systems

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 55 of the 57 references it cites were found in a registry or an index, and 1 are not checked yet; none of the 40 sources its claims cite is checked for support yet.

Guide to Operational Technology (OT) security

Open access

Abstract

This document provides guidance on how to secure operational technology (OT) while addressing their unique performance, reliability, and safety requirements. OT encompasses a broad range of programmable systems and devices that interact with the physical environment (or manage devices that interact with the physical environment). These systems and devices detect or cause a direct change through the monitoring and/or control of devices, processes, and events. Examples include industrial control systems, building automation systems, transportation systems, physical access control systems, physical environment monitoring systems, and physical environment measurement systems. The document provides an overview of OT and typical system topologies, identifies common threats and vulnerabilities to these systems, and provides recommended security countermeasures to mitigate the associated risks.

Checked 2026-10-11 · 1 reference not checked yet

Overview

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.6028/nist.sp.800-82r3

Cites

55 of 57 references verified1 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Verification

Claims the paper makes

104 Own interpretation · 54 No basis given · 37 Sources not found

Show all 10 claims

  • Probably not a substantial claim. 182
  • It may state two separate claims as one. 46
185 of 185
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    OT has many characteristics that differ from traditional IT systems, including different risks and priorities.

    “OT has many characteristics that differ from traditional IT systems, including different risks and priorities.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Initially, OT systems had little resemblance to IT systems because they were isolated and ran proprietary control protocols using specialized hardware and software.

    “Initially, OT systems had little resemblance to IT systems because they were isolated and ran proprietary control protocols using specialized hardware and software.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    OT are increasingly resembling IT systems as they adopt IT technologies to promote corporate connectivity and remote access capabilities.

    “OT are increasingly resembling IT systems as they adopt IT technologies to promote corporate connectivity and remote access capabilities (e.g., using industry standard computers, OSs, and network protocols).”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Some of the OSs and applications that run on OT may not operate correctly with commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) IT cybersecurity solutions because of their unique requirements.

    “Moreover, some of the OSs and applications that run on OT may not operate correctly with commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) IT cybersecurity solutions because of their unique requirements.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    OT systems are generally time-critical, with the criterion for acceptable levels of delay and jitter dictated by the individual installation.

    “OT systems are generally time-critical, with the criterion for acceptable levels of delay and jitter dictated by the individual installation.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Many OT processes are continuous in nature.

    “Many OT processes are continuous in nature.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Unexpected outages of systems that control industrial processes are unacceptable.

    “Unexpected outages of systems that control industrial processes are unacceptable.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    In a typical IT system, primary concerns include data confidentiality and integrity.

    “In a typical IT system, primary concerns include data confidentiality and integrity.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    For OT, primary concerns include safety, fault tolerance to prevent the loss of life or endangerment of public health or confidence, regulatory compliance, loss of equipment, loss of intellectual property, or lost or damaged products.

    “For OT, primary concerns include safety, fault tolerance to prevent the loss of life or endangerment of public health or confidence, regulatory compliance, loss of equipment, loss of intellectual property, or lost or damaged products.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Field devices (e.g., PLCs, operator stations, DCS controllers) are directly responsible for controlling physical processes.

    “Field devices (e.g., PLCs, operator stations, DCS controllers) are directly responsible for controlling physical processes.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The lifespan of an OT system can exceed 20 years.

    “The lifespan of an OT system can exceed 20 years.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Many legacy systems may contain hardware and software that are no longer supported by vendors and cannot be patched or updated to protect against new vulnerabilities.

    “many legacy systems may contain hardware and software that are no longer supported by vendors and cannot be patched or updated to protect against new vulnerabilities.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Anti-malware software may not be available for systems such as PLCs and DCS.

    “anti-malware software may not be available for systems such as PLCs and DCS”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Organizations can customize OT impact categories to their specific industry or business requirements.

    “Table 3 provides possible example categories and impact levels that organizations may customize to meet their specific industry or business requirements.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Information security risk assessments and safety assessments can complement each other in OT environments.

    “Information security risk assessments should complement such assessments, though they may use different approaches and cover different areas.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Threats can be meaningfully categorized by likelihood of occurrence and potential consequences.

    “Organizations should categorize threats based on the likelihood of occurrence and their potential consequences.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    OT assets often have long life cycles and reflect massive investments in operational, reliability, and safety testing.

    “OT assets often have long life cycles and reflect massive investments in operational, reliability, and safety testing.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    It is sometimes neither economically nor technically feasible to replace existing OT equipment and applications wholesale with newer alternatives in the short- or medium-term.

    “It is sometimes neither economically nor technically feasible to replace existing equipment and applications wholesale with newer alternatives in the short-or mediumterm.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    OT equipment without the latest security features and updates is at greater risk of attacks than equipment with the latest versions.

    “Such equipment is at greater risk of attacks than equipment with the latest versions of security features and security updates.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Conventional network security focuses on segmentation and perimeter defenses.

    “Conventional network security focuses on segmentation and perimeter defenses.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Some OT components may not support the technologies or protocols required to fully integrate with a ZTA implementation.

    “Some OT components (e.g., PLCs, controllers, HMI) may not support the technologies or protocols required to fully integrate with a ZTA implementation.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Patches have two main purposes: to address vulnerabilities and to enhance functionality.

    “Patches have two main purposes: to address vulnerabilities and to enhance functionality.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    In the context of defense-in-depth software security, patching is associated with reducing vulnerabilities.

    “In the context of defense-in-depth software security, patching is associated with reducing vulnerabilities.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Many of the devices and the communication protocols at the Field I/O level (Purdue Level 0) cannot be authenticated.

    “Many of the devices and the communication protocols at the Field I/O level (Purdue Level 0) (e.g., sensors, actuators) cannot be authenticated.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The monitoring and controls systems for the power system are vulnerable to cyber attacks.

    “The monitoring and controls systems for the power system are vulnerable to cyber attacks, so appropriate cybersecurity practices should be implemented.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    These monitoring and controls systems are also vulnerable to cyber attacks and can affect the OT systems.

    “These monitoring and controls systems are also vulnerable to cyber attacks and can affect the OT systems, so appropriate cybersecurity practices should be implemented to protect them.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The introduction of IIoT to OT environments can increase connectivity and information exchanges with enterprise systems and cloud-based systems.

    “The introduction of IIoT to OT environments can increase connectivity and information exchanges with enterprise systems and cloud-based systems, which may require additional considerations for the security architecture.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Compute resources vary among IIoT devices.

    “Compute resources -including processing, memory, and storage -vary among IIoT devices.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Some IIoT devices may have constrained resources, while others may have unused capabilities.

    “Some IIoT devices may have constrained resources, while others may have unused capabilities, both of which have implications for cybersecurity.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Many critical infrastructure industries have sites that are geographically distributed.

    “Many critical infrastructure industries have sites that are geographically distributed.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Industrial facilities typically have monitoring and controls systems that manage uninterruptable power supplies (UPSs), generators, HVAC, fire alarm systems, boilers, cooling water plant, steam, compressed air, and other critical functions.

    “Industrial facilities typically have monitoring and controls systems that manage uninterruptable power supplies (UPSs), generators, HVAC, fire alarm systems, boilers, cooling water plant, steam, compressed air, and other critical functions.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Many public and private-sector organizations have adopted the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) to guide cybersecurity activities and consider cybersecurity risks.

    “Many public and private-sector organizations have adopted the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) [CSF] to guide cybersecurity activities and consider cybersecurity risks.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Data flow diagrams help a manufacturer understand the flow of data between networked components.

    “Data flow diagrams help a manufacturer understand the flow of data between networked components.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Documenting data flows enables organizations to understand the expected behavior of their networks.

    “Documenting data flows enables organizations to understand the expected behavior of their networks.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Network architecture documentation tools help a manufacturer identify, document, and diagram the interconnections between networked devices, corporate networks, and other external connections.

    “Network architecture documentation tools help a manufacturer identify, document, and diagram the interconnections between networked devices, corporate networks, and other external connections.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    A comprehensive understanding of the interconnections within the environment is critical for the successful deployment of cybersecurity controls.

    “A comprehensive understanding of the interconnections within the environment is critical for the successful deployment of cybersecurity controls.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    In OT environments, risks and impacts may be related to safety, health, and the environment, in addition to business and financial impacts.

    “In OT environments, risks and impacts may be related to safety, health, and the environment, in addition to business and financial impacts.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Maintaining an accurate inventory of the IT and OT assets facilitates the identification, tracking, and remediation of vulnerabilities.

    “Maintaining an accurate inventory of the IT and OT assets within the environment of operation -including the product vendor, model numbers, firmware, OSs, and software versions installed on the assets -facilitates the identification, tracking, and remediation of vulnerabilities.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    These risks include the insertion of counterfeits, unauthorized production, malicious insiders, tampering, theft, and the insertion of malicious software and hardware, as well as poor manufacturing and development practices in the cyber supply chain.

    “These risks include the insertion of counterfeits, unauthorized production, malicious insiders, tampering, theft, and the insertion of malicious software and hardware, as well as poor manufacturing and development practices in the cyber supply chain.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    SBOM information can identify software components and their relationships or dependencies on other components.

    “SBOM information can identify software components and their relationships or dependencies on other components.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Having this information available can help an organization determine whether a device is affected by reported software vulnerabilities.

    “Having this information available can help an organization determine whether a device is affected by reported software vulnerabilities.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Many OT components and devices utilize open-source libraries to support their functional capabilities.

    “Many OT components and devices utilize open-source libraries to support their functional capabilities.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    A unique challenge in OT is the need for immediate access to an HMI in emergency situations.

    “A unique challenge in OT is the need for immediate access to an HMI in emergency situations.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The time needed to enter a user's credentials may impede response or intervention by the operator, resulting in negative consequences to safety, health, or the environment.

    “The time needed to enter a user's credentials may impede response or intervention by the operator, resulting in negative consequences to safety, health, or the environment.”
  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    The organization has already addressed Layer 1 and Layer 2.

    “In Fig. 18, the assumption is that the organization has already addressed Layer 1 and Layer 2.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    RBAC has the potential to reduce the complexity and cost of security administration in networks with large numbers of intelligent devices.

    “RBAC is a technology that has the potential to reduce the complexity and cost of security administration in networks with large numbers of intelligent devices.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Physical access controls are often applied to the OT environment as compensating controls when legacy systems do not support modern IT logical access controls.

    “Physical access controls are often applied to the OT environment as compensating controls when legacy systems do not support modern IT logical access controls (e.g., an asset could be locked in a cabinet when the USB port or power button cannot be logically disabled).”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Some IT protocols and many industrial communications protocols have known security vulnerabilities that might be exploitable through network isolation devices.

    “Additionally, some IT protocols and many industrial communications protocols have known security vulnerabilities that might be exploitable through network isolation devices.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Many OT systems do not offer password recovery mechanisms.

    “Many OT systems do not offer password recovery mechanisms, so the secure and reliable handling of passwords is critical to maintaining continuous operation.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Some OT OSs make setting secure passwords difficult if the password size is smaller than current password standards and the system allows only group passwords at each level of access rather than individual passwords.

    “Some OT OSs make setting secure passwords difficult if the password size is smaller than current password standards and the system allows only group passwords at each level of access rather than individual passwords.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Some industrial (and internet) protocols transmit passwords in plaintext, making them susceptible to interception.

    “Some industrial (and internet) protocols transmit passwords in plaintext, making them susceptible to interception.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Without an exclusion list based on machine identification (ID), non-operator login can result in policies such as auto-logoff timeout and administrator password replacement being pushed down, which can be detrimental to the operation of the OT system.

    “Without an exclusion list based on machine identification (ID), non-operator login can result in policies such as auto-logoff timeout and administrator password replacement being pushed down, which can be detrimental to the operation of the OT system.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Security awareness is a critical part of OT incident prevention, particularly when it comes to social engineering threats.

    “Security awareness is a critical part of OT incident prevention, particularly when it comes to social engineering threats.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Encryption provides a mechanism for ensuring confidentiality and integrity for data in transit.

    “Encryption provides a mechanism for ensuring confidentiality and integrity for data in transit.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The use of encryption within an OT environment could introduce communications latency due to the additional time and computing resources required to encrypt, decrypt, and authenticate each message.

    “The use of encryption within an OT environment could introduce communications latency due to the additional time and computing resources required to encrypt, decrypt, and authenticate each message.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Encryption may also cause performance degradation of the end device or system.

    “Encryption may also cause performance degradation of the end device or system.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Anomaly detection tools that support OT environments may be unable to read encrypted data.

    “Additionally, while encryption provides confidentiality between encryption and decryption devices, anomaly detection tools that support OT environments may be unable to read encrypted data.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Cryptography may introduce key management issues.

    “Organizations should also consider that cryptography may introduce key management issues.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Site visits to change or manage keys can be costly and slow.

    “Because site visits to change or manage keys can be costly and slow, organizations should consider whether cryptographic protection with remote key management may be beneficial, such as when the protected units become so numerous or geographically dispersed that managing keys is difficult or expensive.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Systems and devices in the OT environment include many functions and services that are unnecessary for their proper operation, some of which may be enabled by default and without the organization's knowledge.

    “Systems and devices in the OT environment include many functions and services that are unnecessary for their proper operation, some of which may be enabled by default and without the organization's knowledge.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Configuration management helps ensure that systems are deployed and maintained in a secure and consistent state to reduce risks from outages due to configuration issues and security breaches through improved visibility and tracking of changes to the system.

    “Configuration management helps ensure that systems are deployed and maintained in a secure and consistent state to reduce risks from outages due to configuration issues and security breaches through improved visibility and tracking of changes to the system.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Many changes to OT can be made only during scheduled maintenance downtimes to minimize impacts.

    “Many changes to OT can be made only during scheduled maintenance downtimes to minimize impacts.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    In some cases, automated configuration management tools transfer numerous types and potentially large amounts of data over the manufacturing system network.

    “In some cases, these tools transfer numerous types and potentially large amounts of data over the manufacturing system network.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Some automated configuration management tools may impact OT system operations by attempting to change device configurations or manipulating active files.

    “Additionally, some tools may also have the potential to impact OT system operations by attempting to change device configurations or manipulating active files.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    An outage can take days, weeks, or months to recover from a natural disaster or minutes or hours to recover from a malware infection or a mechanical or electrical failure.

    “An outage can take days, weeks, or months to recover from a natural disaster or minutes or hours to recover from a malware infection or a mechanical or electrical failure.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Any maintenance performed on an OT device can inadvertently modify its configuration and result in an increased attack surface.

    “Any maintenance performed on an OT device can inadvertently modify its configuration and result in an increased attack surface.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Devices may contain wireless radios and other communications devices that may be vulnerable to side-channel attacks or may allow simultaneous connections between networks (i.e., dual-homed).

    “Devices may contain wireless radios and other communications devices that may be vulnerable to side-channel attacks or may allow simultaneous connections between networks (i.e., dual-homed).”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    These technologies alone may not be sufficient to sustain security capabilities as threats evolve and change.

    “These technologies alone may not be sufficient to sustain security capabilities as threats evolve and change.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The collection and event forwarding functions may impact the performance of the OT device.

    “The collection and event forwarding functions may impact the performance of the OT device.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Disk space and memory are limited on most OT devices.

    “Disk space and memory are limited on most OT devices”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Gaining access to media that contains OT data could provide a malicious actor with valuable information for launching an attack.

    “Gaining access to media that contains OT data could provide a malicious actor with valuable information for launching an attack.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Attackers typically use directional antennas to extend the effective range of a wireless network beyond the standard range.

    “Attackers typically use directional antennas to extend the effective range of a wireless network beyond the standard range.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Mesh networks can provide fault tolerance through alternate route selection and preemptive fail-over of the network.

    “Mesh networks can provide fault tolerance through alternate route selection and preemptive fail-over of the network.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    When roaming between access points, devices may experience temporary communication loss.

    “For example, when roaming between access points, devices may experience temporary communication loss.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Most wireless field networks are inherently less reliable than their wired counterparts due to their susceptibility to signal jamming, distance limitations, and line-of-sight requirements.

    “Most wireless field networks are inherently less reliable than their wired counterparts due to their susceptibility to signal jamming, distance limitations, and line-of-sight requirements.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Many OT security architectures are designed with multiple levels, such as in the Purdue model, which can significantly limit access and minimize accidental or unauthorized disruptions to operations.

    “Many OT security architectures are designed with multiple levels, such as in the Purdue model.This can significantly limit access, which can minimize accidental or unauthorized disruptions to operations.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    It is not uncommon for patches to have an adverse impact on other software.

    “It is not uncommon for patches to have an adverse impact on other software.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    A patch may remove a vulnerability, but it can also introduce a greater risk from a production or safety perspective.

    “A patch may remove a vulnerability, but it can also introduce a greater risk from a production or safety perspective.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Patching the vulnerability may also change the way the OS or application works with control applications, causing the control application to lose some of its functionality.

    “Patching the vulnerability may also change the way the OS or application works with control applications, causing the control application to lose some of its functionality.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Many OT systems utilize older versions of OSs that are no longer supported by the vendor, so patches may not be available.

    “Many OT systems utilize older versions of OSs that are no longer supported by the vendor, so patches may not be available.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Many OT vulnerabilities are published to CISA as advisories, but not all vendors report known vulnerabilities to CISA.

    “Many OT vulnerabilities are published to CISA as advisories.However, not all vendors report known vulnerabilities to CISA.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Non-authenticated NTP is susceptible to spoofing.

    “Non-authenticated NTP is susceptible to spoofing and should be located behind the firewall.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Within any environment, numerous non-malicious and potentially malicious events and anomalies occur almost continuously.

    “Within any environment, numerous non-malicious and potentially malicious events and anomalies occur almost continuously.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Most vendor default passwords are easy to discover within vendor product manuals, which are also available to adversaries.

    “Most vendor default passwords are easy to discover within vendor product manuals, which are also available to adversaries.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Using the default password can drastically increase OT vulnerability.

    “Using the default password can drastically increase OT vulnerability.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    A lack of properly configured firewalls could permit unnecessary data to pass between networks, such as control and corporate networks, thus allowing attacks and malware to spread between networks, making sensitive data susceptible to monitoring/eavesdropping, and providing individuals with unauthorized access to systems.

    “A lack of properly configured firewalls could permit unnecessary data to pass between networks, such as control and corporate networks, thus allowing attacks and malware to spread between networks, making sensitive data susceptible to monitoring/eavesdropping, and providing individuals with unauthorized access to systems.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Without proper and accurate logs, it might be impossible to determine what caused a security incident to occur.

    “Without proper and accurate logs, it might be impossible to determine what caused a security incident to occur.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Shared credentials are often used on OT systems.

    “Shared credentials are often used on OT systems.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    A third party that aggregates continuous monitoring information from multiple organizations may be a desirable target for adversaries.

    “A third party that aggregates continuous monitoring information from multiple organizations may be a desirable target for adversaries.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Continuous monitoring can be achieved using automated tools, through passive scanning, or with manual monitoring performed at a frequency deemed commensurate with the risk.

    “Continuous monitoring can be achieved using automated tools, through passive scanning, or with manual monitoring performed at a frequency deemed commensurate with the risk.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    A passive network monitor might be able to detect vulnerable network services without having to scan the devices.

    “Alternatively, a passive network monitor might be able to detect vulnerable network services without having to scan the devices.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Tools and capabilities that support behavior anomaly detection (BAD), security information and event management (SIEM), intrusion detection systems (IDS), and intrusion prevention systems (IPS) can assist organizations with monitoring traffic throughout the network and generate alarms when they identify anomalous or suspicious traffic.

    “Tools and capabilities that support behavior anomaly detection (BAD), security information and event management (SIEM), intrusion detection systems (IDS), and intrusion prevention systems (IPS) can assist organizations with monitoring traffic throughout the network and generate alarms when they identify anomalous or suspicious traffic.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Organizational response activities are improved by incorporating lessons learned from current and previous detection and response activities.

    “Organizational response activities are improved by incorporating lessons learned from current and previous detection and response activities.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Capturing execution details may help organizations during the post-incident review process to determine whether any gaps or potential opportunities for improvement in the recovery plan should be considered.

    “Capturing execution details may help organizations during the post-incident review process to determine whether any gaps or potential opportunities for improvement in the recovery plan should be considered.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    These lessons can be used to improve recovery plans and processes.

    “These lessons can be used to improve recovery plans and processes.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    In addition to operational recovery, an organization may need to manage public relations and repair its reputation.

    “In addition to operational recovery, an organization may need to manage public relations and repair its reputation.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Some tools and alerts for behaviors or events that could indicate an intrusion may be normal behaviors and events within the OT environment.

    “Organizations should also note that some tools and alerts for behaviors or events that could indicate an intrusion may be normal behaviors and events within the OT environment.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    OT components are often physically remote and not continually staffed.

    “Additionally, OT components are often physically remote and not continually staffed.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    This integration can provide additional context to an event (e.g., where the system is located, which firmware version it runs, what the criticality of the system is) to help an organization determine the event impact.

    “This integration can provide additional context to an event (e.g., where the system is located, which firmware version it runs, what the criticality of the system is) to help an organization determine the event impact.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Data flow controls based on data characteristics can prevent the exfiltration of information and illegal operations.

    “These controls can prevent the exfiltration of information and illegal operations.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Organizations may find that automation within OT environments may not be possible due to the sensitivity of the systems or the resources required to support the automation.

    “Organizations may find that automation within OT environments may not be possible due to the sensitivity of the systems or the resources required to support the automation.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Physical access to sensors and final elements allows for direct manipulation of the physical process.

    “Physical access to sensors and final elements allows for direct manipulation of the physical process.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Many devices are configured on a fieldbus such that physical access to the sensor network allows for manipulation of controlling parameters.

    “Many devices are configured on a fieldbus such that physical access to the sensor network allows for manipulation of controlling parameters.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Unauthorized wireless access to sensors or final elements allows for direct manipulation of the physical process.

    “Wireless access to sensors and final elements allows for direct manipulation of the physical process.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Many smart devices allow for wireless configuration (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, WirelessHART).

    “Many smart devices allow for wireless configuration (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, WirelessHART).”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Most architectures are designed for PLCs, RTUs, DCS, and SCADA controllers to manipulate the process and for asset management systems to monitor the assets connected to the controllers.

    “Most architectures are designed for PLCs, RTUs, DCS, and SCADA controllers to manipulate the process and for asset management systems to monitor the assets connected to the controllers.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Many asset management systems also have the technical ability to modify the configuration of sensors and final elements, although modification may not be their primary function.

    “Many asset management systems also have the technical ability to modify the configuration of sensors and final elements, although modification may not be their primary function.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The properties of OT may present unique threat events, such as how threat events can manipulate OT processes to cause physical damage.

    “The properties of OT may also present unique threat events, such as how the threat events can manipulate OT processes to cause physical damage.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    OT access by vendors and maintenance staff can occur over a large facility footprint or geographic area and into unobserved spaces, such as mechanical or electrical rooms, ceilings, floors, field substations, switch and valve vaults, and pump stations.

    “OT access by vendors and maintenance staff can occur over a large facility footprint or geographic area and into unobserved spaces, such as mechanical or electrical rooms, ceilings, floors, field substations, switch and valve vaults, and pump stations.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    OT devices often lack the ability to support modern encryption.

    “While OT devices often lack the ability to support modern encryption, additional devices (e.g., VPNs) can be added to support these features.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Additional devices (e.g., VPNs) can be added to support encryption features.

    “While OT devices often lack the ability to support modern encryption, additional devices (e.g., VPNs) can be added to support these features.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The automated mechanisms used to support the tracking of security incidents are typically not part of or connected to the OT.

    “The automated mechanisms used to support the tracking of security incidents are typically not part of or connected to the OT.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The automated mechanisms used to support the incident reporting process are not necessarily part of or connected to the OT.

    “The automated mechanisms used to support the incident reporting process are not necessarily part of or connected to the OT.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The automated mechanisms used to schedule, conduct, and document maintenance and repairs are not necessarily part of or connected to the OT.

    “The automated mechanisms used to schedule, conduct, and document maintenance and repairs are not necessarily part of or connected to the OT.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Availability and interference for wireless signals may be a concern within OT environments.

    “Availability and interference for wireless signals may be a concern within OT environments.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The implementation of authentication and encryption is driven by the OT environment.

    “The implementation of authentication and encryption is driven by the OT environment.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Antennas and power levels can be designed to minimize signal exposure outside of the facility.

    “Where confidentiality is concerned, antennas and power levels can also be designed to minimize signal exposure outside of the facility.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    More OT systems are becoming accessible remotely.

    “As more OT systems become accessible remotely”
118 of 118

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

1 of 1

Citations

Cites

Show all 51 references

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Items 201–278 of 278

Metadata

Authors
Stouffer, K., Pease, M., Tang, C., Zimmerman, T., Pillitteri, V., Lightman, S., Hahn, A., Saravia, S., Sherule, A., & Thompson, M.
Affiliations
National Institute of Standards and Technology (US)
Published
2023-09-28
OpenAlex
W4386881452
Cited by
315
References
51
Citations by year
2026: 173 · 2025: 82 · 2024: 51 · 2023: 9
Type
report
Language
en
Open access
Funders
  • National Institute of Standards and Technology
  • Information Technology Laboratory
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Control and Systems Engineering › Smart Grid Security and Resilience
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Information Systems › Information and Cyber Security
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Control and Systems Engineering › Industrial Automation and Control Systems
Keywords
operational technology security, industrial control systems, programmable logic controller, building automation, transport systems, system topology, security threats, vulnerability (computer security), security countermeasures, risk mitigation

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

A language model drew the claims from the paper on 2026-10-11, under version 3 of the claim definition (model deepseek-v4.1-flash, prompt extract-v3).

A second model labelled each claim on 2026-10-11 (model jev-1.13-20260917, definition revision gold-guideline-v0.2).

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

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