The Challenges of Patching Operational Technology Systems: Insights from the 2024 OT/ICS Cybersecurity Report

In today’s increasingly interconnected world, cybersecurity threats targeting operational technology (OT) systems are a growing concern. However, many organizations still hesitate to regularly patch their OT environments, fearing that it could cause operational disruptions or downtime. According to TXOne Networks’ 2024 Annual OT/ICS Cybersecurity Report, this hesitation is leading to significant vulnerabilities, leaving critical systems exposed to cyberattacks. This article dives into the findings of the report, highlights the reasons behind this reluctance, and offers insights into potential solutions for improving patch management in OT systems.

Key Findings

TXOne Networks’ 2024 Annual OT/ICS Cybersecurity Report surveyed 150 C-level executives across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, revealing that 85% of organizations do not conduct regular patching on their OT systems. The majority of organizations patch their systems quarterly or less often, exposing them to potential cyberattacks over extended periods. Despite this, a large portion of companies experienced cybersecurity incidents in the past year, with 37% of incidents linked to exploited software vulnerabilities.

The primary challenges to regular OT patching identified in the survey were a lack of personnel or expertise (48%), concerns about operational disruptions (47%), and the absence of vendor support or patch testing (43%). Furthermore, 41% of organizations delay patching until vendor support becomes available. Many organizations take a cautious approach, applying patches during planned maintenance windows or testing them in controlled environments. Patches are typically prioritized based on the criticality of the impacted systems, but many rely on CVSS scores or Exploit Prediction Scoring tools for vulnerability assessment.

What Undercode Says:

The reluctance to perform regular patching on operational technology systems is both understandable and concerning. From a business continuity perspective, the fear of downtime and operational disruption is a powerful factor. However, the risks of not patching regularly are becoming harder to ignore, especially as the frequency of OT cybersecurity incidents continues to rise.

The TXOne Networks survey points out some key factors that contribute to the patching gap: personnel shortages, expertise gaps, and concerns about system disruption. These barriers highlight the complexity of managing cybersecurity in an environment that often runs 24/7 without room for error. It’s also important to note that many of the cybersecurity incidents in OT systems stem from known vulnerabilities. This points to a significant gap in operational risk management strategies, where the importance of regular patching might be underestimated or sidelined due to operational priorities.

Interestingly, organizations seem to recognize the importance of patching in theory, as evidenced by the fact that a majority (60%) apply patches during planned downtime. However, this still poses a challenge for industries with high-efficiency demands, where downtime may be minimal or hard to plan. The use of phased deployments and testing in controlled environments (as reported by 55% and 44% of respondents, respectively) is a good practice, but these steps still leave room for vulnerabilities to persist for extended periods.

Additionally, the reliance on vulnerability scoring tools like the CVSS or KEV database points to another potential challenge. These tools may be effective in general, but they may not always be suitable for the specific nuances of ICS/OT environments, where the risks associated with certain vulnerabilities may differ significantly from the standard IT environment. This discrepancy could lead organizations to underestimate or misjudge the criticality of certain threats.

A more flexible and proactive approach to patch management could address these gaps. Automation tools and virtual patching could make it easier for organizations to mitigate vulnerabilities without requiring downtime or excessive manual intervention. These tools could help alleviate some of the burdens of patch management while still addressing critical security risks.

Finally, the reliance on enhanced monitoring and compensating controls like network segmentation and system hardening (as reported by 55% and 46% of organizations, respectively) demonstrates that organizations are looking for alternative ways to mitigate risks in the absence of timely patches. While these measures can be effective, they should not be seen as a substitute for patching, but rather as complementary strategies to bolster overall security.

In summary, the gap in regular OT patching is a significant concern, but there are viable strategies to address this issue. Organizations need to adopt more flexible, automated, and collaborative patch management processes to reduce the risk of cyberattacks while ensuring their OT environments remain operational.

Fact Checker Results:

85% of organizations do not conduct regular patching: Accurate, according to the TXOne 2024 survey.
37% of OT security incidents involve exploited vulnerabilities: Consistent with reported findings, indicating that patching gaps are a significant vulnerability.
A lack of expertise is cited as a top challenge: This finding aligns with common industry concerns around OT cybersecurity.

References:

Reported By: https://www.securityweek.com/organizations-still-not-patching-ot-due-to-disruption-concerns-survey/
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