Asset Hardening Overview
OT environments run nonstop, 24/7. Yet pre-installed, unnecessary software, open ports and unused user accounts create new attack vectors. We eliminate this “overlapping attack surface” by auditing, documenting, and safely removing every extraneous component.
Why Is Asset Hardening Critical?
Continuous uptime is non-negotiable in OT. Any excess functionality or accounts can be exploited. Hardening reduces risk by removing software, ports and permissions that threat actors could leverage.
Our Methodology
- Environment Survey: Automated & manual asset discovery; baseline firmware & configuration.
- Gap Audit: Identify unused services, open ports, scripts, user accounts & permissions.
- Hardening Plan: Schedule controls prioritized by risk and business impact.
- Implementation: Remove unneeded components, tighten configurations, restrict access.
- Live Test & Validation: Functional testing, regression checks, security monitoring setup.
- Maintenance & Support: Ongoing reviews, patch management & change-control guidance.
Key Benefits
- More stable systems: Fewer software/service failures, improved operational reliability.
- Reduced attack surface: Fewer entry points and exploit paths for attackers.
- Simplified auditing: Less components & accounts means faster, clearer compliance checks.
Deliverables
- Status Assessment Report: High-level overview plus detailed technical findings.
- Hardening Recommendations Package: Prioritized tasks, patch & configuration plan.
- Audit Trail: Documented changes and control settings.
- Operational Assurance Plan: Regression test suites and run-book checklists.