CISA Released A Free Guide to Enhance OT Product Security

To address rising cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released a new step-by-step guide designed to help organizations select and deploy secure operational technology (OT) products.

The guide, titled “Secure by Demand: Priority Considerations for OT Owners and Operators when Selecting Digital Products,” highlights key security features and considerations for product procurement to ensure resilience against cyberattacks.

Why Operational Technology Needs Better Security

Critical infrastructure sectors such as energy, transportation, and water rely on OT systems to manage essential services.

However, OT devices are often targeted by cyber adversaries due to vulnerabilities like weak authentication, limited logging, and outdated protocols.

Strengthening security at the design and development stage is critical to preventing disruptions that could affect public safety and undermine societal and economic stability.

CISA’s guidance places emphasis on Secure by Design principles, aiming to shift cybersecurity responsibility from operators to manufacturers.

It also aligns with global regulatory efforts, including the European Union’s Cyber Resilience Act, which mandates manufacturers integrate security features during the product design phase.

12 Key OT Product Security to Note

The document outlines 12 priority security elements that OT owners and operators—referred to as “buyers”—should evaluate when selecting products. These include:

1. Configuration Management: Ensures secure control over system settings and recovery capabilities.
2. Logging in Baseline Products: Built-in logging to monitor and detect threats without requiring additional features.
3. Open Standards: Promotes interoperability and avoids vendor lock-in.
4. Ownership: Reinforces control for operators over their systems without undue reliance on manufacturers.
5. Data Protection: Safeguards critical data integrity and confidentiality.
6. Secure by Default: Products come pre-configured with security settings to resist common threats.
7. Secure Communications: Cryptographically secure communication to validate system integrity.
8. Secure Controls: Features that can thwart malicious commands and maintain operational safety.
9. Strong Authentication: Multi-factor authentication (MFA) and role-based access control to limit unauthorized access.
10. Threat Modeling: Transparent analysis of potential risks during product development.
11. Vulnerability Management: Reliable vendor processes for identifying and remediating product vulnerabilities.
12. Upgrade and Patch Tooling: Streamlined, secure, and non-disruptive updates to maintain resilience.

The guide aims to empower buyers to evaluate OT product manufacturers based on their adherence to Secure by Design principles and international standards such as ISA/IEC 62443 and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.

By selecting products designed with these elements, buyers can create long-term, adaptable cybersecurity foundations for their critical systems.

CISA also provides practical advice for buyers to ask manufacturers, covering areas like vulnerability handling, update policies, system interoperability, and secure communications.

The guidance underscores that buyers should prioritize products that balance innovation with security and resilience.

Global Collaboration and Future Impact

This document is part of CISA’s broader Secure by Demand initiative, developed in partnership with agencies like the NSA, FBI, and international entities such as the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and Canada’s Centre for Cyber Security (CCCS).

By aligning with global frameworks, the guide seeks to create a unified approach to cybersecurity for critical infrastructure across borders.

CISA hopes the initiative will not only standardize secure product selection processes but also encourage vendors to adopt a proactive approach to cybersecurity.

Critical infrastructure operators, in turn, will be better equipped to safeguard their systems and maintain public trust in the face of evolving threats.

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