Enhancing OT Security Through CPS Threat Detection

In the previous blog, 'OT-Security vs IT-Security', you could read about the substantial differences between IT and OT.

The IT/OT Silo Question: To Integrate or Not?

What they often overlook, however, is the fundamental cultural and technical divide between these teams. IT and OT professionals speak very different “languages,” making collaboration more challenging than it appears. And that’s just the beginning.

Implementing such an integration process:

• Requires significant time and planning,
• Involves complex and resource-intensive projects,
• Depends heavily on the cooperation of the OT team—who may not welcome IT’s involvement,
• Can impact the production process directly.

The last point is critical: any disruption to production means downtime, and downtime creates chaos. It affects workforce scheduling, the supply chain, and the customer experience—and its impact is felt across the entire organization. The financial consequences are often substantial.

Adding to the challenge, isolating a compromised OT device is rarely feasible without halting operations. Yet many of these devices are dangerously accessible—often protected by default or even no passwords at all. Once accessed, a single machine can serve as an entry point to the entire network. Attacks can resemble legitimate commands, making them difficult to detect. On top of that, many industrial protocols are proprietary and incompatible with standard IT security tools, complicating visibility and threat detection even further.

In short: breaking down the IT/OT silos is difficult, time-consuming, and costly. At AXS Guard, we asked a different question: How can we strengthen OT security without causing disruptions, considering the challenges mentioned?

What is CPS?

Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) are sophisticated systems that integrate digital intelligence with physical processes. By combining sensors, data processing, control algorithms, and communication networks, CPS enables machines and systems to monitor, analyze, and control physical operations in real time. The integration of advanced algorithms and real-time data allows Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) to make autonomous decisions, adapt to dynamic environments, and continuously optimize their performance.

Each CPS typically includes a combination of digital components (such as servers and software), communication infrastructure, control mechanisms, and the physical systems themselves—such as machinery or production lines.

Operational Technology (OT) and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) are prime examples of CPS in action. These environments blend software and hardware to support critical processes in industries such as manufacturing, utilities, and logistics.

CPS Threat Detection Based on Network Sniffing

At AXS Guard, we leverage advanced network sniffing and specialized tooling to significantly enhance OT security—without disrupting production processes. Our intelligent, non-invasive threat detection approach ensures maximum uptime, a top priority for every OT department.

Network sniffing is a method used to passively monitor and analyze network traffic. This allows organizations to detect unusual activity, unauthorized access, or potential threats—without interfering with system operations.

This method offers the least invasive approach to OT security—something all stakeholders appreciate. But it's important to remember that standardization also plays a vital role. 

By gaining deep visibility into OT assets and network traffic flows, organizations can proactively identify vulnerabilities and respond to threats before they cause harm. You can’t protect what you don’t know exists. With the right tools, best practices, security procedures and adherence to industry standards, companies can both maintain and strengthen the integrity of their OT networks.

OT Security Standards

When it comes to securing industrial environments, two key standards stand out: IEC 62264 and IEC 62443. While both are essential in the world of industrial automation, they serve very different purposes.

IEC 62264 (ISA-95): Integrating IT and OT

Also known as ISA-95, IEC 62264 is an internationally recognized standard for Enterprise-Control System Integration. Its goal is to structure and standardize communication between business-level IT systems and plant-level OT systems.

A typical use case is the integration of ERP systems (like SAP) with MES or SCADA platforms. 

ISA-95 defines models, roles, and data exchange frameworks to support integration efforts— particularly relevant for organizations embracing Industry 4.0 or undergoing digital transformation.

Key focus: Integration and operational efficiency.

If your organization is on the path toward greater IT/OT integration, adopting this framework is a smart—though not mandatory—step forward. 

IEC 62443 (ISA-99): Securing Industrial Systems

Previously known as ISA-99, IEC 62443 is the gold standard for Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS) Security. It provides a comprehensive framework for protecting OT environments against cyber threats.

The key components consist of defining security zones and conducting risk assessments, implementing access control and network segmentation, as well as establishing and maintaining security policies for industrial systems.​

To establish robust cybersecurity for industrial control systems encompassing SCADA, PLCs, HMIs, and DCS platforms, organizations are strongly encouraged to apply the principles and guidelines of IEC 62443. 

Key focus: Cybersecurity, system availability (uptime), and data integrity.

Pursuing IEC 62443 compliance is highly recommended for manufacturers, operators, and vendors involved in industrial automation. You can think of it as the OT equivalent of ISO 27001 for IT environments.​ AXS Guard proudly meets ISO 27001 certification requirements, demonstrating its commitment to information security at every level.