OT Cybersecurity for Manufacturing: Safeguarding Industrial Operations

INDUSTRIAL RESILIANCE

Why OT Cybersecurity Matters in Modern Manufacturing

Digital transformation brings efficiency, but also exposes critical systems to increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.

Modern manufacturing thrives on interconnected operational technology (OT) systems, spanning production lines, packaging systems, and logistics networks. But as digital transformation accelerates, so does the exposure to cyber threats. The convergence of IT and OT environments, while enabling efficiency and innovation, has also opened new attack surfaces that adversaries are increasingly exploiting. This makes proactive OT threat detection and SCADA security essential components of modern industrial risk management.

Nearly three out of four industrial organizations have experienced a cyberattack on their OT environment. Even more concerning, one in four reported having to shut down operations due to a successful breach. These aren’t just technical disruptions, they’re business-critical events that can halt production, compromise safety, and cost millions in lost revenue and recovery.

Ransomware syndicates like RansomHub and PLAY leverage IT breaches as a launchpad to infiltrate OT environments, often gaining initial access through phishing and social engineering tactics. In fact, 72% of OT attacks originate in IT, underscoring the need for integrated, cross-domain security strategies.

Visibility remains a major challenge. Only 5% of organizations report full visibility into their OT systems, a sharp decline from previous years. This lack of insight leaves blind spots that attackers can exploit. Meanwhile, the impact of intrusions is growing: 52% of organizations experienced brand degradation, and 43% lost business-critical data due to OT breaches.

At RedLegg, we understand the stakes. That’s why we take a standards-based, operationally grounded approach to OT cybersecurity. Leveraging frameworks like NIST 800-82 and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF), we tailor our MDR, advisory, and ICS/SCADA security testing solutions to your unique industrial environment. We are committed to enhancing visibility, reducing risk, and building long-term resilience.

Legacy System Risk:

Outdated or unsupported ICS and SCADA software systems are difficult to patch and easy to exploit. RedLegg’s SCADA Penetration Testing identifies vulnerabilities in legacy environments and provides actionable insights to harden your SCADA security without disrupting operations.

Limited Visibility:

IT/OT Convergence often outpaces security integration. Siloed teams, incompatible tools, and fragmented monitoring create blind spots that attackers are quick to exploit. RedLegg’s Managed Detection & Response (MDR) services unify visibility across IT and OT environments. With 24/7 monitoring, we deliver real-time OT threat detection, correlation, enabling a faster more coordinated incident response.

Industry Standard Compliance:

Frameworks like NIST 800-82 and NIST CSF require formalized controls, risk assessments, and documentation, especially in sectors where OT systems are critical to safety, reliability, and national infrastructure. RedLegg’s Risk Assessments are aligned with NIST CSF and other regulatory frameworks. We don’t just check boxes, we help you build a defensible, risk-informed security posture that aligns with your operational realities.

Access Control Gaps:

Unauthorized access can have immediate and severe consequences. From misconfigurations to insider threats, poor identity and access management is one of the most common root causes of breaches. RedLegg’s Identity Services enforce role-based access and privileged identity management to secure critical systems and reduce attack surface.

ADVISORY SERVICES

Align your OT cybersecurity strategy with operational goals and industry standards.

Our advisory team brings deep expertise in OT cybersecurity frameworks and industrial risk management. We help you align cybersecurity with operational priorities and regulatory requirements.

- NIST 800-82 & NIST CSF Risk Assessments
- OT Cybersecurity Program Development
- Business Impact Analysis
- Tabletop Exercises for Incident Response Readiness
- Risk-Based Gap Analysis & Remediation Planning

MANAGED DETECTION & RESPONSE SERVICES

Gain 24/7 OT threat detection across converged environments.

Our MDR services provide 24/7 OT threat detection, correlation, and response across converged IT/OT environments. Empowering your team to stay ahead of threats without sacrificing uptime.

- Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR)
- Managed SIEM
- OT Threat Detection
- Threat Intelligence & Correlation
- Remediation Support
- Security Automation & Playbook Integration

PENETRATION TESTING

Validate network and SCADA security without disrupting operations.

We simulate real-world attacks to uncover vulnerabilities in your industrial systems, without disrupting operations. Our testing is tailored to the unique architecture and constraints of OT environments, including SCADA, PLCs, and IIoT devices.

- SCADA Security & ICS Penetration Testing
- Network & Application Testing
- Vulnerability Scanning
- Physical Security Assessments

IDENTITY SERVICES

Secure access to critical systems with role-based controls and identity governance.

Controlling access to critical systems is essential in OT cybersecurity. Our Identity Services help you enforce least-privilege access and prevent unauthorized activity across your infrastructure.

- Identity & Access Management
- Identity Governance & Administration
- Privileged Access Management

KEY BENIFITS

The Strategic Value of a Security Partner Who Understands Industrial Operations.

A True Extension of Your Team: We don’t just deliver services—we embed alongside your team. Our long-term clients trust us for our transparency, responsiveness, and ability to deliver under pressure. Whether it’s enhancing OT threat detection and visibility, supporting ICS/SCADA security with penetration testing, or testing how resilient your OT cybersecurity posture is through incident response tabletop exercises and risk assessments.

Integrated Expertise

We bring together deep knowledge of both IT and OT environments to deliver security strategies that work across your entire infrastructure—from the factory floor to the cloud.

Faster, Smarter Response:

Our use of automation, backed by human intelligence accelerates OT threat detection and response, helping you contain threats before they impact production.

Operational Alignment:

We tailor every engagement to your environment, ensuring that security enhancements support uptime, safety, and compliance—not disrupt them.

Custom-Fit
Solutions:

From OT threat detection to role-based access controls (RBAC), our offerings are modular and adaptable. We meet you where you are and scale with your needs.

A special challenge in cybersecurity for manufacturing is the exploitation of IT systems as a gateway into OT environments. As IT and OT converge, attackers are increasingly using phishing, ransomware, and credential theft to breach IT networks and pivot into industrial control systems. Once inside, even minor disruptions can lead to major downtime and safety risks. Manufacturers must prioritize real-time OT threat detection, identity controls, and incident response readiness to stay ahead of these threats.

Talk to our experts about how RedLegg’s MDR and Identity Services can help secure your hybrid environment.

Legacy ICS and SCADA software systems often lack modern security features and can’t be easily patched. The key is to isolate, monitor, and harden these systems without disrupting operations. RedLegg’s SCADA Security Penetration Testing and NIST-aligned Risk Assessments help identify vulnerabilities and create a phased, risk-prioritized remediation plan tailored to your environment.

Connect with us to learn how we help manufacturers secure legacy infrastructure while maintaining uptime.

Look for a partner that understands the unique challenges of industrial environments—especially the need to balance security with safety, uptime, and compliance. Your provider should offer tailored solutions for OT and IT, deep experience with frameworks like NIST 800-82, and a collaborative approach that integrates with your internal teams.

RedLegg is that partner. We bring the tools, expertise, and trust manufacturers need to build long-term resilience. Talk to an expert to learn more.

Poorly executed testing can indeed pose risks, which is why RedLegg takes a manual, risk-sensitive approach specifically designed to avoid disruption. Our SCADA Security Penetration Testing is conducted by experienced professionals using controlled methods and specialized tools to avoid disruption. We work closely with your team to define clear testing boundaries and focus on actionable insights within operational constraints.

SCADA security is a core focus of our testing methodology, ensuring your control systems are resilient against modern threats. Talk to an expert about our methodology.

Case Study

OT Threat Detection

Learn how Randa took control, shifted from reactive to proactive with RedLegg's MDR.

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Case Study

OT Cybersecurity Risk Assessment

Using NIST 800-82 we identified vulnerabilities, analyzed operational risks, and developed a phased remediation plan.

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Case Study

Physical Penetration Testing

Listen to the story of a physical penetration test conducted at a factory.

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OT Cybersecurity for Manufacturing: Visibility, Threat Detection & Resilience

RedLegg: Protecting the Backbone of Industry.

Why OT Cybersecurity Matters in Modern Manufacturing

Digital transformation brings efficiency, but also exposes critical systems to increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.