Practical Industrial Control System (Ics) Cybersecurity: It And Ot Have Converged— Discover And Defend Your Assets

Securing Converged IT/OT Environments: Defend ICS with Proven Controls
The convergence of Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) has created a new frontier of cyber risk in Industrial Control Systems (ICS). This SANS whitepaper dives into how cybersecurity teams can defend today’s complex industrial environments through practical frameworks, beginning with asset discovery and risk prioritization.

The document outlines how digital asset inventories, continuous vulnerability management, and even partial implementation of CIS Controls Version 7 can drastically enhance an organization’s security posture. With OT systems increasingly customized and loosely documented, knowing “what is connected” becomes both a challenge and a necessity.

Using guidance from the CIS Controls Implementation Guide for ICS, this resource shows how organizations can build a resilient, converged cybersecurity program. It stresses the importance of identifying hardware/software assets, understanding vulnerabilities, and establishing sustainable patching practices. Additionally, it provides strategies for navigating high-availability demands unique to ICS environments.

Download the whitepaper to discover how industrial organizations can strengthen cybersecurity by implementing foundational controls and bridging the IT/OT gap.