CNI Operators: 12 Critical Questions to Ask Your OT Suppliers

Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) operators are facing an increasingly complex and interconnected world, where the security and reliability of their operational technology (OT) systems are paramount. As the threat landscape continues to evolve, CNI operators must ensure that their OT suppliers are providing them with secure, reliable, and resilient systems. But how can they guarantee this? The answer lies in asking the right questions.

Understanding the Importance of OT Security

Operational technology (OT) systems are the backbone of CNI, controlling and monitoring critical infrastructure such as power grids, transportation systems, and water treatment plants. However, these systems were not designed with security in mind, and as a result, they are vulnerable to cyber threats. In recent years, there have been several high-profile attacks on OT systems, highlighting the need for CNI operators to prioritize OT security.

According to a report by Cybersecurity Ventures, the global OT security market is expected to grow from $13.4 billion in 2020 to $23.6 billion by 2025, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.1%. This growth is driven by the increasing awareness of OT security risks and the need for CNI operators to protect their critical infrastructure.

The 12 Questions CNI Operators Should Ask Their OT Suppliers

To ensure that their OT systems are secure, reliable, and resilient, CNI operators should ask their OT suppliers the following 12 questions:

• 1. What is your approach to OT security, and how do you integrate security into your product development lifecycle?

This question helps CNI operators understand the supplier’s approach to OT security and how they prioritize security in their product development process.

• 2. What security standards and regulations do you comply with, and how do you ensure ongoing compliance?

This question ensures that the supplier is compliant with relevant security standards and regulations, such as IEC 62443, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and EU’s NIS Directive.

• 3. What is your vulnerability management process, and how do you handle vulnerability disclosures?

This question helps CNI operators understand the supplier’s process for identifying, assessing, and mitigating vulnerabilities, as well as their approach to handling vulnerability disclosures.

• 4. How do you ensure the secure development of your products, including secure coding practices and code reviews?

This question ensures that the supplier follows secure development practices, including secure coding, code reviews, and testing.

• 5. What is your approach to secure communication protocols, including encryption and authentication?

This question helps CNI operators understand the supplier’s approach to secure communication protocols, including encryption, authentication, and access control.

• 6. How do you handle incident response, including response times, procedures, and communication with customers?

This question ensures that the supplier has a robust incident response plan in place, including procedures for responding to incidents, communicating with customers, and providing support.

• 7. What is your approach to supply chain risk management, including third-party risk assessments and mitigation?

This question helps CNI operators understand the supplier’s approach to managing supply chain risks, including third-party risk assessments, mitigation strategies, and monitoring.

• 8. How do you ensure the security of your products during the manufacturing process, including secure boot mechanisms and secure firmware updates?

This question ensures that the supplier follows secure manufacturing practices, including secure boot mechanisms, secure firmware updates, and secure storage of sensitive data.

• 9. What is your approach to secure decommissioning of products, including data destruction and disposal?

This question helps CNI operators understand the supplier’s approach to secure decommissioning of products, including data destruction, disposal, and recycling.

• 10. How do you provide ongoing support and maintenance for your products, including security updates and patches?

This question ensures that the supplier provides ongoing support and maintenance for their products, including security updates, patches, and technical support.

• 11. What is your approach to security awareness and training for your employees, including secure coding practices and security incident response?

This question helps CNI operators understand the supplier’s approach to security awareness and training for their employees, including secure coding practices, security incident response, and security awareness programs.

• 12. How do you ensure the transparency and visibility of your security practices, including security audits and compliance reports?

This question ensures that the supplier provides transparency and visibility into their security practices, including security audits, compliance reports, and security metrics.

Conclusion

CNI operators must prioritize OT security to protect their critical infrastructure from cyber threats. By asking the right questions, CNI operators can ensure that their OT suppliers provide them with secure, reliable, and resilient systems. The 12 questions outlined in this article provide a comprehensive framework for CNI operators to assess the security practices of their OT suppliers and ensure that they are meeting the highest standards of OT security.

By working together, CNI operators and OT suppliers can build trust and confidence in the security of OT systems, ultimately protecting critical infrastructure and ensuring the continuity of essential services.