Executive Summary
Securing remote access and building an overall cybersecurity strategy should be approached like any other business decision. Advantages and associated risks must be reviewed. There are also many challenges, people, technologies, and processes to consider, which vary between and within industries. Despite these differing factors, all organizations should identify their operational objectives and risk appetite to develop an appropriate strategy. A diverse, multidisciplinary approach will help organizations align with various stakeholders and expectations while successfully deploying and securing remote access to industrial environments.

Remote Access is Essential to Most Industrial Operations

Many complex and specialized systems operate in industrial OT/ICS environments. These systems require installation, maintenance, and support from product vendors and numerous third-party technicians, operators, and contractors who can provide product/system support and maintenance due to their expert skill sets and in-depth knowledge. Most industrial enterprises are unable to operate without this cadre of support and rely on 24/7 external assistance.

Equally essential is the need to provide remote access to OT assets and operations. Remote access is now a universal and fundamental requirement for most industrial enterprises. However, the challenge that remains is to ensure that all access is safe and secure and cannot be exploited or abused by malicious actors, whether external or internal. As a result, Industrial Secure Remote Access (I-SRA) strategies have become a critical building block for every OT environment. Thankfully, there are ever-advancing technologies to handle the complexities of
OT environments and the unique threats they face.

TP Research conducted an industry survey of OT, IT, engineering, and cybersecurity professionals to better understand the challenges of successfully enabling and securing remote access to industrial environments

Report Length – 16 Pages