When implementing OT security monitoring (Operational Technology), it’s crucial to approach things differently than you would in traditional IT networks. OT systems are often fragile, safety-critical, and built without security in mind. Here are the top 5 considerations you need to get right:
1. System Stability and Safety First
Unlike IT, uptime in OT security monitoring can be a matter of life, safety, or millions in lost production. Monitoring solutions must never impact performance, availability, or reliability. Passive monitoring is usually preferred—no intrusive scans, no risky updates, and absolutely no unexpected downtime.
2. Visibility Without Disruption in OT security monitoring
Many OT environments lack basic asset inventories, let alone real-time visibility. However, deploying monitoring must be done carefully, using network taps, SPAN ports, or purpose-built appliances that don’t touch production systems directly. The goal is deep visibility without deep impact.
3. Protocol and Device Awareness
4. Context Is Everything
Raw alerts are useless without context. Monitoring tools and analysts must understand what’s normal in your specific industrial process. A “critical” alert in IT might be business as usual in OT, or vice versa. Without deep OT knowledge, false positives and missed incidents are inevitable.
5. Integration With Incident Response & Escalation Paths
Even the best monitoring means nothing if it’s unclear who’s responsible for action. OT security monitoring should plug into clear escalation workflows—whether it’s engineering, operations, or external SOC support. Response plans must be tested, role-specific, and aligned with safety protocols.
In short, OT security monitoring is about respecting the process, understanding the tech, and reacting with precision. It’s not just about seeing threats, it’s about knowing how to respond safely and appropriately.
If you’d like to discuss security monitoring and visibility within your environment; speak to a member of our team today. Simply drop us a message and someone will email you within 24 hours.
