ICS/OT stands for Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and OT (Operational Technology), it´s the hardware and software that run and control the machines in a manufacturing enviroment.

In industries such as manufacturing, energy sector, transportation and utilities, ICSs help to directly manage and control machines to make sure they are all working efficiently and safely.

Previously, OT was isolated, meaning that OT and IT were completely separate, OT had no connection to the Internet or any other network outside the environment, and OT components: sensors, controllers, protocols, were never designed with cybersecurity in mind, but were optimized for fast and efficient communication.

But in today’s world, there is communication flowing between OT and IT, which is referred to as OT and IT convergence, and it transformed and optimized the manufacturing sector, creating what is known as manufacturing 4.0. At the same time, it created a new gateway for cyber attackers.

Hackers took advantage of these vulnerabilities and today attacks on industry are becoming more and more frequent, from a giant meat processor in the United States to the port of Lisbon in Portugal, the operation was disrupted and on several occasions production had to stop.

Cyberattacks targeting ICS/OT environments are becoming more sophisticated and frequent worldwide, and Mexican companies are not immune. Industries like oil and gas, automotive, energy, and utilities are particularly vulnerable to these threats. A successful breach could halt operations, damage equipment, or lead to regulatory fines.

By prioritizing ICS/OT Security, Mexican businesses can safeguard their operational integrity, maintain customer trust, and comply with international security standards, ensuring that they remain competitive in the global market. Investing in robust cybersecurity measures now can help prevent costly disruptions and secure the future of Mexico’s industrial landscape.

At cybool.com, we specialize in providing comprehensive ICS/OT security solutions tailored to protect critical infrastructures. By prioritizing ICS/OT security with CYBOOL, Mexican businesses can safeguard their operational integrity, maintain customer trust, and comply with international security standards, ensuring they remain competitive in the global market. Investing in robust cybersecurity measures now can prevent costly disruptions and secure the future of Mexico’s industrial landscape. Visit cybool.com to learn more.

One particular event that had international repercussions was the ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline in the United States in 2021, which affected the entire East Coast. What started as just another ransomware attack had a direct impact on rising gasoline prices, created public panic and eventually the declaration of a state of emergency for 8 days.

This made clear, even to the public, the differences between an IT and OT attack. OT attacks do not affect our privacy or commercial information, but directly impact our daily lives and can lead to food shortages in our supermarkets, contaminate our water and even generate an energy shortage.

In Mexico, manufacturing represents 32% of GDP, its main industries include: automotive, aviation, medical devices, and more. In fact, 89% of Mexico’s exports to the world are manufactured products (of total shipments). Given the importance of manufacturing to the country, it is essential to raise awareness of the issue.

ICS/OT Cybersecurity

In the coming years and the current geopolitical environment, as Mexico becomes a major nearshoring hub, with its clear advantages within the T-MEC constellation, it should consider and ensure a resilient and secure supply chain, investing more in ICS/OT cybersecurity and create alliances to face this great challenge.

At SymbioLAB, when we visit plants in Mexico and in different countries in Europe, we are always surprised by the level of detail and monitoring of safety and security aspects of the plant.

You can see on every board and near every production line, workers are very aware of these indicators (KPIs) and their importance for the success of the plant. But when it comes to OT cybersecurity, most plants are still taking their first steps.

This needs to change quickly, as we´re witnessing the volume of IoT/OT malware attacks doubled. The way of thinking about OT cybersecurity needs to be changed from just good IT practices to a strategic investment for business success.