The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has launched a new guidance document to enhance cybersecurity for operational technology (OT) products.
The guide, titled “Secure by Demand: Priority Considerations for Operational Technology Owners and Operators when Selecting Digital Products”, is part of CISA’s ongoing Secure by Design and Secure by Default initiatives.
It aims to arm critical infrastructure operators with the tools and knowledge to select and deploy OT products that are inherently more secure.
Addressing Key Cybersecurity Challenges in Industrial Control Systems
Critical infrastructure sectors such as energy, water, transportation, and healthcare heavily rely on OT systems to maintain essential operations.
However, the increasing pace and sophistication of cyberattacks targeting OT products have underscored the urgent need for stronger, built-in security measures.
Unlike traditional IT systems, OT devices are often designed for continuous operation and have long lifecycles, making post-deployment security fixes difficult, if not impractical.
In its guidance, CISA outlines a set of priority considerations for OT buyers, such as manufacturers, operators, and asset owners, to ensure resilience against current and emerging threats.
The Secure by Demand framework emphasizes shifting responsibility for cybersecurity back to OT product manufacturers, rather than placing the burden entirely on critical infrastructure operators.
12 Key Security Features for OT Product Selection
CISA’s guide identifies 12 critical elements that OT buyers should evaluate when selecting new products.
These elements were chosen to address common vulnerabilities and enable a strong cybersecurity foundation that reduces risks and operational costs for organizations. The 12 recommended elements include:
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Configuration Management | Secure control of configuration settings and engineering logic to prevent unauthorized changes. |
| Logging in the Baseline Product | Default logging capabilities to detect and respond to cyber incidents effectively. |
| Open Standards | Use of interoperable standards to avoid vendor lock-in and enhance system flexibility. |
| Ownership | Ensuring buyers have full control over their systems without unnecessary reliance on manufacturers. |
| Protection of Data | Safeguards for the integrity and confidentiality of OT data, especially against unauthorized access. |
| Secure by Default | Products configured to resist known threats out-of-the-box. |
| Secure Communications | Support for cryptographically secure communication to validate system integrity. |
| Secure Controls | Design features that can resist malicious commands or safety attacks. |
| Strong Authentication | Use of role-based access control and phishing-resistant multifactor authentication (MFA). |
| Threat Modeling | A detailed and transparent threat model to anticipate and mitigate risks during the product lifecycle. |
| Vulnerability Management | Robust processes for identifying, remediating, and disclosing vulnerabilities. |
| Upgrade and Patch Tooling | Reliable patch management processes to address vulnerabilities without disrupting operations. |
Building Resilient OT Systems
The guide highlights the importance of proactive security measures to address threats targeting OT environments.
By enforcing Secure by Design principles, OT manufacturers can eliminate common weaknesses such as default passwords, unencrypted communications, and inadequate logging capabilities.
CISA’s recommendations also align with international best practices, including the ISA/IEC 62443 standards and the EU’s Cyber Resilience Act.
CISA underscores the need for OT buyers to ask manufacturers critical questions about their products. Topics include updates to known vulnerabilities, secure communication protocols, compatibility with open standards, and maintenance autonomy.
This approach enables infrastructure owners and operators to make informed decisions, enhancing the resilience of their systems.
In developing the guidance, CISA collaborated with prominent cybersecurity and government organizations, including the NSA, FBI, and international partners such as the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), Canada’s CCCS, and the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
The document is also aligned with widely recognized frameworks like NIST’s guidelines for OT security.
“Critical infrastructure is the backbone of modern society, and its security is non-negotiable,” CISA stated in its announcement. “Our Secure by Demand guide equips buyers with the tools they need to select OT products that are not only operationally efficient but also resilient against evolving cyber threats.”
The guide aims to empower OT asset owners to not only comply with evolving legal requirements but also prioritize resilience in their purchasing decisions.
By investing in OT products with secure-by-default features, organizations can reduce operational downtime, minimize societal risks, and maintain public trust.
CISA’s Secure by Design and Secure by Default initiatives follow ongoing global efforts to improve cybersecurity accountability among technology manufacturers.
The U.S. government’s push for cybersecurity accountability aligns with the European Union’s Cyber Resilience Act, which mandates that manufacturers integrate security into the design and development phases of their products.
CISA’s guidance comes as a timely resource for critical infrastructure operators navigating an increasingly complex cyber threat landscape.
By adopting the recommendations outlined in the Secure by Demand guide, organizations can mitigate risks, optimize security investments, and equip themselves to recover swiftly from potential incidents.
To access the full document and learn more about CISA’s Secure by Design principles, visit the official CISA website.
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