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Operational Technology controls physical processes, so cyber risks can disrupt safety, reliability, and availability across connected industrial systems.

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Operational technology (OT) comprises hardware and software that monitor and control physical processes—such as PLCs, RTUs, HMIs, SCADA, and DCS—in manufacturing, utilities, transport, and buildings. Its assets include controllers, sensors, actuators, engineering workstations, and the networks linking them. OT depends on precise timing, reliable communications, and safe states; outages or incorrect commands can stop production or affect physical safety, even when little sensitive data is involved.

Security concerns arise where OT connects to enterprise networks, vendor remote-access paths, or internet-facing services. Legacy protocols and long-lived devices may lack authentication, encryption, logging, or practical patching options. A compromise could alter setpoints, inhibit alarms, or disrupt availability, but impact depends on process design and safeguards. Defenders typically segment control networks, restrict and monitor remote access, maintain asset and dependency inventories, use passive monitoring where active scanning is risky, and test recovery and safe manual operation. Vulnerability management must account for maintenance windows, vendor support, and safety validation rather than treating every patch like IT.

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GrassMarlin leaks sensitive information, provided your targeting phishing skills are sharp enough The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is warning anyone who uses GrassMarlin, a tool developed by the National Security Agency (NSA), about a new vulnerability that attackers can use to snoop on sensitive information.…

The Register 30 Apr 2026, 3:35 a.m. CISA Leak NSA Operational Technology Phishing Sensitive Information Theft Vulnerability Warning

Fuxnet and FrostyGoop were both used in the Russia-Ukraine war Two new malware variants specifically designed to disrupt critical industrial processes were set loose on operational technology networks last year, shutting off heat to more than 600 apartment buildings in one instance and jamming communications to gas, water, and sewage network sensors in the other.…

The Register 26 Feb 2025, 12:00 a.m. Malware Operational Technology Russia Ukraine

IOCONTROL targets IoT and OT devices from a ton of makers, apparently An Iranian government-linked cybercriminal crew used custom malware called IOCONTROL to attack and remotely control US and Israel-based water and fuel management systems, according to security researchers.…

The Register 14 Dec 2024, 12:56 p.m. Critical Infrastructure Government IoT Iran Israel Malware Operational Technology Research

There's a war on and critical infrastructure operators are still using default passwords Iran-linked cyber thugs have exploited Israeli-made programmable logic controllers (PLCs) used in "multiple" water systems and other operational technology environments at facilities across the US, according to multiple law enforcement agencies .…

The Register 5 Dec 2023, 12:30 p.m. Critical Infrastructure Iran Israel Operational Technology Passwords Terrorism Warning

How Britvic outlawed security blind spots Webinar Organisations in multiple industries often face risks which can severely impact their operational resilience. Cyber criminals like to use ransomware and vulnerable third-party connections to hijack operational technology (OT) systems which can stop production in manufacturing environments, for example.…

The Register 7 Nov 2023, 12:35 a.m. Operational Technology Ransomware Vulnerability Webinar

Industrial systems' security got 99 problems and CVEs are one. Or more The latest threat security research into operational technology (OT) and industrial systems identified a bunch of issues — 56 to be exact — that criminals could use to launch cyberattacks against critical infrastructure. …

The Register 3 Jul 2022, 11:17 p.m. Critical Infrastructure Cyberattack Flaw ICS Operational Technology Research

Nearly 60 holes found affecting 'more than 30,000' machines worldwide Fifty-six vulnerabilities – some deemed critical – have been found in industrial operational technology (OT) systems from ten global manufacturers including Honeywell, Ericsson, Motorola, and Siemens, putting more than 30,000 devices worldwide at risk, according to the US government's CISA and private security researchers. …

The Register 21 Jun 2022, 4:01 p.m. CISA Critical Vulnerability Flaw Government Operational Technology Research Vulnerability

US security agencies say the tools can give hackers control of ICS and SCADA devices Hackers have created custom tools to control a range of industrial control system (ICS) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) devices, marking the latest threat to a range of critical infrastructure in the United States, according to several government agencies.…

The Register 15 Apr 2022, 1:31 a.m. Acquisition America Critical Infrastructure Government ICS Malware Operational Technology

Poisoned SCADA apps could have disrupted power supply – perhaps even at nuclear plants The United States Department of Justice has unsealed a pair of indictments that detail alleged Russian government hackers' efforts to use supply chain attacks and malware in an attempt to compromise and control critical infrastructure around the world – including at least one nuclear power plant.…

The Register 25 Mar 2022, 7:45 p.m. America Compromise Critical Infrastructure Government Malware Operational Technology Russia Supply Chain