Cody Bann • May 27, 2025

Closing the Gaps in Industrial Cybersecurity

As industrial operations continue to embrace connectivity—from plant floors to remote sites—the attack surface for cyber threats grows in tandem. The move toward Industry 4.0, digital transformation, and smart manufacturing has brought major gains in efficiency and insight, but it’s also made cybersecurity a top operational concern.
For all sectors of industry, the convergence of operational technology (OT) and IT networks introduces new vulnerabilities that can’t be ignored.

The Expanding Attack Surface

Every sensor, SCADA system, historian, or cloud-connected platform offers value — and potential exposure. What once lived safely behind closed networks is now part of a complex, interconnected environment. This evolution supports remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, and data-driven optimization, but it also invites increasingly sophisticated threats.

A recent survey by Deloitte found that nearly half of manufacturers consider cybersecurity the greatest risk to smart factory initiatives. Despite this, many organizations still rely on outdated architectures, shared credentials, and ad-hoc remote access tools that introduce unnecessary risk.

Cyberattacks across the supply chain, including the infamous SolarWinds breach, show how attackers exploit third-party software and suppliers to reach their real targets. Whether it’s a manufacturing plant, an oil terminal, or a packaging facility, no part of the industrial sector is immune.

Why Remote Access Is a Risk and What to Do Instead

One of the most common vulnerabilities in industrial environments is the misuse of remote desktop tools like RDP or TeamViewer. Originally designed for IT support, these tools are often used (inappropriately) to give technicians or operators full access to OT systems.

This excessively open access violates the principle of least privilege, opening the door to breaches that can result in downtime, data loss, or worse.

A better approach? Remote alarm notification software.

Instead of granting remote control over industrial systems, alarm notification tools deliver real-time insights from SCADA or HMI systems directly to the people who need them, via secure channels like SMS, email, voice, or mobile apps. This more focused communication keeps critical personnel informed without exposing control systems to unnecessary risk.

Benefits of Alarm Notification Software:

  • Keeps OT networks segmented and protected behind firewalls
  • Supports both on-prem and cloud-based communication
  • Provides traceability for alarms and responses (useful for compliance)
  • Reduces reliance on VPNs or open RDP ports
  • Enables faster response times without sacrificing security

Building a Cyber-Resilient Operation

Here are key practices any industrial operation — regardless of size or sector — should follow to strengthen cybersecurity posture:

  • Start with People
    • Most breaches start with human error. Cybersecurity training should begin with onboarding and continue regularly, emphasizing phishing awareness, password hygiene, and proper data handling.
  • Enforce Strong Credentials
    • Avoid shared logins and implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible. App-based MFA or SMS codes offer significant improvements over email-based or password-only systems.
  • Patch and Update
    • Legacy systems abound in industrial environments, but ignoring patches leaves you vulnerable. Prioritize updates that address known exploits and maintain an asset inventory to track what needs attention.
  • Secure Remote Access
    • Eliminate unattended access tools. Configure any necessary remote software to stop background services when not in use. Use role-based access control and isolate OT from IT as much as possible.

Cybersecurity as a Competitive Advantage

It’s tempting to view cybersecurity as a cost center, but it’s increasingly a source of operational resilience and business continuity. When implemented strategically, cybersecurity investments:

  • Minimize unplanned downtime
  • Improve system visibility and control
  • Enable safer, more flexible remote work
  • Protect brand reputation and customer trust

And critically, they free up teams to focus on improvement rather than firefighting.

Final Word

The industrial world is becoming more connected, and that’s a good thing. But it also requires a smarter approach to security. Whether you manage a bottling line, an offshore rig, or a bio lab, protecting your operations starts with securing your data and systems.

You don’t need to overhaul everything at once. Start with the people, tools, and practices that offer the greatest risk reduction and build from there.

Smart connectivity demands smart protection. It’s time to close the cybersecurity gap.