Industrial VAPT for SCADA: A Practical Security Testing Approach for OT Environments
Industrial networks are becoming more connected to enterprise IT infrastructure, remote maintenance services, and external platforms. This improves visibility and operational efficiency, but it also changes the security assumptions around industrial control systems. For security engineers working with manufacturing, mining, energy, utilities, and other industrial environments, testing OT…
The article discusses the need for a specialized approach to security testing in Operational Technology (OT) environments, particularly in Industrial Control Systems (ICS) such as SCADA, PLCs, and RTUs. The main challenges include balancing vulnerability discovery with operational continuity, understanding the OT and IT boundaries, and separating vulnerability assessment from penetration testing.
The article outlines six key steps for conducting Industrial VAPT (Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing) for SCADA systems: starting with asset discovery, understanding the OT and IT boundary, separating vulnerability assessment from penetration testing, reviewing remote access and authentication, accounting for legacy technology, and establishing safe testing practices.
These steps aim to ensure that security testing in OT environments is thorough, effective, and does not jeopardize critical industrial processes.
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