Operational Technology Security: The Hidden Weak Spot

Today’s buildings and facilities heavily rely on smart connected systems and technologies such as Network cameras, intercoms, elevators, air conditioning, fire alarms, etc. These technologies are collectively known as Operational Technology (OT). Many OT systems were not originally designed with cybersecurity in mind as they were often air gapped. Today, increased connectivity of these technologies has made them more vulnerable to cyberattacks.

Operational Technology (OT) security is about protecting those connected systems. It is not just an IT matter, rather it is a business risk and a growing safety issue.

What Is Operational Technology (OT) Security?

In the physical security market, Operational Technology (OT) includes all systems and devices that monitor or control physical access, safety, and environmental conditions. OT security, therefore, refers to safeguarding these systems from cyber threats, unauthorized access, tampering, and operational disruption.

Key Physical Security Systems That Fall Under OT:

• Access Control Systems (e.g., badge readers, biometric scanners)
• Surveillance Systems (IP cameras, NVRs, VMS platforms)
• Intercom and Emergency Communication Systems
• Intrusion Detection and Alarm Systems
• Fire Safety Systems
• Building Management Systems (BMS)

OT System Risks

OT security in the physical security market is becoming increasingly critical as physical security systems—such as video surveillance, access control, intercoms, alarms, and building automation—are now IP-connected and integrated into broader IT networks. This convergence exposes physical infrastructure to cyber threats that were previously only a concern for traditional IT systems. Let's list some of the risks of OT systems.

Cyber-physical risk

A hacked access control system can unlock doors. A compromised video system can be blinded or used for surveillance. As recent study by BitSight reveals that 40, 000 security cameras are exposed to remote hacking.

Network exposure

Most modern physical security devices are IP-based, meaning they can be accessed or exploited over networks if not properly secured.

Supply chain risks

Many devices are sourced from third parties. If these vendors don’t follow strong cybersecurity practices, they may introduce vulnerabilities into your environment.

Compliance pressure

Regulations like NIS2, GDPR, and IEC 62443 increasingly require organizations to treat physical systems as part of their overall cybersecurity posture.

Increasing attack surface

Physical security systems are often overlooked in cybersecurity strategies, making them low-hanging fruit for attackers.

Key OT Security practices for the physical security industry

A compromised surveillance camera, intercom, or access control panel can become an entry point into your broader network or even used to disrupt critical operations. That’s why OT security is essential for maintaining both safety and cybersecurity integrity. Here some of the best practices for OT security within physical security industry

You do not need to be technical to understand the core principles:

Know what you have and monitor it
You cannot protect what you do not know exists. Maintain a detailed inventory of all connected physical security devices, their configurations, and firmware versions. Outdated firmware can be a common attack vector. Maintain a routine for:

• Firmware updates from trusted vendors.
• Emergency patches for known vulnerabilities.
• Testing before large-scale deployment.

Be ready for incidents

Have a response plan built specifically for OT. Do not assume your IT response plan will work. Treat it like being prepared for any kind of emergency, you hope not to use it, if you need it and you're prepared, you'll be glad for it.

Build a defensible architecture
Combine physical barriers with digital protections. Keep OT networks separate from IT. Limit access to critical systems using the principle of least privilege. Set role-based permissions, audit access logs, and disable unused accounts. Harden your devices by changing default credentials immediately, disabling unused ports and services.

Five Trends You Should Know

OT and IT are converging

Operational Technology (OT) systems, once isolated and built primarily for stability, are now being integrated with modern IT networks to support real-time data sharing, automation, remote control, and to reduce the duplication of both R&D efforts and investments. This convergence enhances productivity and operational visibility, but it also expands the attack surface.

Traditional IT security tools, with their different starting point, may not fit well in OT environments, which prioritize uptime and safety over patching and scanning. Security teams must now manage both domains and tailor their tools and strategies accordingly.

Regulators are stepping in

Governments and industry bodies across the U.S., EU, and other regions are no longer waiting for companies to self-regulate. The economic and societal risks have become too significant to ignore. Regulators, insurers, and sector-specific agencies are introducing mandatory cybersecurity requirements. These include maintaining high levels of security, mandatory incident reporting, and robust access controls. Security is now a baseline requirement for doing business.

Vendors are part of your defense

In today’s digital supply chains, onboarding a new system or device means inheriting the security practices of its vendors. This makes third-party risk management essential. Fortunately, many vendors are stepping up, adopting secure development practices, enhancing transparency, and integrating more robust protections. Choosing trusted partners directly strengthens your overall cybersecurity posture.

AI usage is growing on both sides

Both defenders and attackers increasingly use Artificial Intelligence. On the defense side, AI helps detect anomalies, predict threats, and automate responses. On the offense side, attackers use it to uncover vulnerabilities, craft more convincing phishing campaigns, and bypass defenses. Staying ahead requires strategic AI adoption while being mindful of its limitations.

Zero Trust is coming to OT

The Zero Trust model, basically “check first, and trust only when the result is ok” as a principle, which has long been used in IT, is now being applied to OT environments. This approach assumes that no system, user, or device is inherently trustworthy, not even those inside the network. Every access request must be verified and monitored continuously. While implementation can be challenging in OT due to legacy infrastructure and uptime requirements, Zero Trust is becoming increasingly essential for preventing and stopping hackers in their tracks.

Widely known cybersecurity frameworks:

OT security standards provide a framework for securing operational technology (OT) systems, which control critical industrial processes and infrastructure. These are the widely known and accepted OT cybersecurity regulatory frameworks

ISA/IEC 62443 - the golden global OT security standard

A series of standards focused on cybersecurity for industrial automation and control systems (IACS), covering aspects like risk assessment, security policies, network segmentation, and incident response.

NIST SP 800-82 - U.S. guidance on securing industrial systems

A framework that provides guidance on improving an organization's ability to manage and reduce cybersecurity risks, including those related to OT.

ISO/IEC 27001 for Information Security Management

ISO/IEC 27001 is a comprehensive information security standard applicable to IT and OT environments. It focuses on risk assessment, incident response, and securing data flows between IT and OT systems, ensuring that organizations have a consistent and secure approach to information management.

Key Questions

These five questions can help determine if your OT environment is truly secure:

1. Are any of our OT systems connected to networks beyond their intended scope? (E.g., exposed to the internet or corporate networks without firewalls?)
2. Who has access to these systems, and is that access strictly managed? (Are credentials rotated? Is MFA used?)
3. Do we have a full inventory of our OT devices and software? (You can't protect what you don’t know you have.)
4. Are we actively monitoring for unusual activity? (Both on the network and at the endpoint level?)
5. Do we have a tested plan if a critical OT system goes offline or is attacked? (Is recovery time acceptable? Is communication coordinated?)

Final Word

OT systems are the backbone of physical security—but they’re only as strong as the cybersecurity protecting them. You do not need a massive investment to make a difference. Most threats can be blocked through basic cyber-hygiene: clear visibility, network separation, limited access, and a response plan that actually works.

By implementing a defence strategy and proactively addressing key vulnerabilities, organizations can better secure both their people and their infrastructure.

Whether you're running a smart building, managing critical infrastructure, or protecting transportation hubs, OT security should be an essential part of your security strategy.