Bridging IT and OT Security: NDR's Role in the Protection of Industrial Assets

The convergence of Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) is transforming industries. While this integration drives operational efficiency and faster decision-making, it also creates new cybersecurity challenges. GREYCORTEX Mendel offers a unified way to monitor and protect both your IT and OT environments.

As digital transformation continues, IT systems, like corporate networks and databases, are increasingly linked with OT systems, such as industrial control systems and sensors. This connection improves data sharing and process control but demands a unified approach to securing both technologies.

New cybersecurity threats are constantly emerging as the Internet of Things (IoT) and automation continue to grow. One of the biggest challenges is ensuring seamless communication between IT and OT teams, which often have distinct goals and methods. Addressing these challenges requires identifying critical assets and implementing tailored security measures.

The Core Security Requirement

A fundamental security requirement in any company is identifying and classifying assets. Understanding the value and strategic importance of each asset allows for the appropriate level of protection. Tools that enable effective monitoring and protection of both industrial and digital assets are essential in this context.

Key Differences Between IT and OT Environments

IT and OT environments differ in focus, asset life cycles, and the personnel managing them. While IT prioritizes data processing, business operations, and frequent updates, OT centers on controlling physical processes and maintaining long-term operational stability. OT systems often remain in place for decades without major updates, creating potential security gaps.

IT and OT teams also have different expertise. IT teams focus on data confidentiality and cybersecurity, while OT teams prioritize the safe operation of industrial assets, often resisting upgrades to avoid disruptions. 

Another key difference lies in the communication protocols used in each environment.

So how do you protect both environments with one monitoring solution?

NDR’s Role in Protecting IT and OT

NDR solutions are pivotal in safeguarding industrial environments, providing visibility into both your IT and OT networks. A prime example is GREYCORTEX Mendel, which passively monitors traffic across both networks to detect anomalies without interfering with system operations—a critical requirement for industrial settings.

Mendel correlates data from various sources to identify threats early, allowing analysts to investigate security events and uncover connections between them. While defining processes and security policies is critical, verifying compliance is equally important. Mendel continuously monitors these processes and notifies you about any non-compliance. Any incidents detected can also be easily exported into clear reports.

Bridging the IT-OT Divide

Better infrastructure visibility, deeper threat understanding, stronger protection of both digital and industrial assets—these are some of the key benefits that NDR solutions bring.

Mendel facilitates cooperation between your IT and OT teams. By integrating with the MITRE ATT&CK® Framework, Mendel creates a common language for analyzing threats, helping both teams collaborate more effectively.

Additionally, Mendel allows you to customize event categorization based on team needs, ensuring IT and OT professionals see the information that matters most to them—within the same solution, but with their own tailored interface.

The Future of Industrial Cybersecurity

As cyber threats evolve, the convergence of IT and OT systems requires tools that can adapt and offer comprehensive protection. GREYCORTEX Mendel meets these needs by learning and responding to new attack types, ensuring the security of both your digital and industrial assets. The continued integration of IT and OT networks necessitates a unified monitoring and response approach, where NDR solutions are central. By leveraging tools like Mendel, organizations can strengthen their cybersecurity posture, ensuring resilience and continuity in an increasingly interconnected digital landscape.