Cybersecurity
Operational Technology (OT)
Safeguarding and Building Resilience in OT Systems for Manufacturing and Laboratory Environments
Operational Technology (OT) systems are critical to the functioning of modern manufacturing and laboratory environments. These systems, which include industrial control systems (ICS), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, Distributed Control Systems (DCS), and Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), are increasingly interconnected with IT networks, making them susceptible to cyber threats. Qualified Data Systems (QDS) offers specialized Cybersecurity Services designed to protect OT systems in manufacturing and laboratory environments, ensuring the reliability, safety, and security of your operations.
Core Services
OT Security Assessment and Risk Management
- Comprehensive Security Assessments: QDS conducts in-depth security assessments of your OT environment, identifying vulnerabilities and potential threats to your manufacturing and laboratory systems. This includes evaluating network architecture, access controls, and the security posture of connected devices.
- Risk Analysis and Mitigation Strategies: We perform risk analysis to quantify and prioritize cybersecurity risks within your OT environment. QDS provides tailored mitigation strategies to address identified risks, ensuring that your OT systems are secure and compliant with industry standards.
- OT Asset Inventory and Management: QDS helps you develop and maintain an up-to-date inventory of all OT assets, including hardware, software, and firmware. This inventory is critical for identifying vulnerable systems, managing updates, and maintaining overall security.
- Compliance With Industry Standards: Our services ensure that your OT systems comply with relevant industry standards and regulations, such as IEC 62443 for industrial cybersecurity, ISO 27001, and NIST frameworks.
Network Segmentation and Security Architecture
- Network Segmentation Design and Implementation: QDS provides network segmentation services to isolate OT systems from IT networks and reduce the risk of cyber threats propagating across your organization. We design secure network architectures that minimize attack surfaces while maintaining operational efficiency.
- Zero Trust Architecture for OT: We help implement a Zero Trust approach within your OT environment, ensuring that all users, devices, and applications are authenticated and authorized before gaining access to critical systems. This approach enhances security by limiting the potential impact of security breaches.
- Secure Remote Access Solutions: With the increasing need for remote monitoring and control of OT systems, QDS offers secure remote access solutions that protect against unauthorized access and ensure secure communication between remote users and OT assets.
OT Incident Response and Threat Detection
- OT-Specific Incident Response Planning: QDS develops tailored incident response plans for OT environments, ensuring that your organization is prepared to respond quickly and effectively to cybersecurity incidents. Our plans include incident detection, containment, eradication, and recovery procedures specific to OT systems.
- Real-Time Threat Detection and Monitoring: We provide real-time threat detection and monitoring services for OT systems, using advanced security tools to identify and respond to potential threats. Our services include the deployment of intrusion detection systems (IDS) and security information and event management (SIEM) solutions tailored for OT environments.
- Forensic Analysis and Post-Incident Review: In the event of a cybersecurity incident, QDS conducts forensic analysis to determine the root cause, extent of the breach, and the impact on OT systems. We provide detailed post-incident reviews and recommendations to prevent future incidents.
OT System Hardening and Patch Management
- OT System Hardening: QDS offers system hardening services to secure your OT devices and systems against cyber threats. This includes configuring secure settings, disabling unnecessary services, and implementing strong authentication and encryption protocols.
- Patch Management for OT Systems: Managing patches and updates in OT environments can be challenging due to the need to maintain continuous operations. QDS provides patch management services that ensure security updates are applied without disrupting critical OT processes. We work with your team to schedule and validate patches, ensuring they do not compromise system functionality.
- Vendor Coordination and Support: QDS collaborates with OT system vendors to ensure that security patches and updates are properly applied and validated. We also assist in managing vendor-related cybersecurity risks, including third-party software and hardware vulnerabilities.
Security Awareness and Training for OT Personnel
- OT-Focused Cybersecurity Training: QDS provides cybersecurity training tailored specifically for OT personnel, including operators, engineers, and maintenance staff. Our training programs focus on the unique challenges and best practices for securing OT environments.
- Phishing and Social Engineering Defense: As OT environments are increasingly targeted by social engineering attacks, QDS offers specialized training to help OT personnel recognize and respond to phishing and other social engineering threats.
- Continuous Security Awareness Programs: We help establish continuous security awareness programs within your organization, ensuring that all OT personnel stay informed about the latest cybersecurity threats and best practices.
Industry Focus
QDS specializes in providing cybersecurity services for the following OT environments:
- Manufacturing: Protecting industrial control systems, SCADA, and other critical OT components that are essential for efficient and secure manufacturing operations.
- Laboratory: Securing Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), automation equipment, and other OT systems critical to research, testing, and regulatory compliance in laboratory environments.
Value Proposition
QDS’s Cybersecurity Services for OT offer the following benefits:
By addressing the unique cybersecurity needs of OT environments, we help ensure the continuous and secure operation of your manufacturing and laboratory systems.
Our services ensure that your OT systems meet industry standards and regulatory requirements, reducing the risk of non-compliance and associated penalties.
With our proactive cybersecurity measures, including patch management and incident response planning, we help minimize downtime and maintain operational continuity.
QDS provides customized cybersecurity solutions designed specifically for the unique challenges of OT systems, ensuring that your security measures are effective and practical for your environment.