How Radiflow Helps You Cope with Cybersecurity Budget Constraints in 2024

Cybersecurity budget constraints. Who doesn’t have them? We all know that safeguarding operations is critical, yet we don’t readily see the direct connection between specific security controls, risk, and production. What cybersecure steps can Industrial Control System operators take that provide adequate security on a tight budget?

Radiflow has some good recommendations for you and your cyber budget concerns in 2024 — especially considering the approaching, stringent regulations like NIS2.

Basic Cyber Hygiene

Focus on implementing fundamental cybersecurity best practices such as regular patching and updating of OT systems and software. This often requires minimal expenditure, just some diligence. Radiflow’s Threat Intelligence keeps up with CVEs and vendor updates. It tells you where you’re vulnerable and what you can do about it today.

Asset Inventory

Maintain an up-to-date inventory of all OT assets and systems. Knowing what you have is essential for effective cybersecurity planning and resource allocation. Radiflow’s iSID watches network traffic and automatically learns all the assets, even legacy ones that use ancient protocols. iSID also discovers forgotten assets that aren’t providing any benefit. As you add or move assets, iSID finds them right away and includes them in the inventory. 

Network Segmentation

Segment your OT network to limit the potential impact of cyberattacks. This can often be achieved with existing networking equipment and configuration changes.  Network segmentation provides additional layers of security and protection by reducing the attack surface and the spread potential of a cyberattack. iSID automatically maps your current network and shows it to you in graphic form. Then, it recommends optimal segmentation steps that you can usually undertake with your current equipment. 

Continuous Threat Monitoring

Implement continuous monitoring solutions to detect and respond to threats in real time. This can help you maintain security without a significant upfront cost. iSID threat detection is on guard 24/7/365, always detecting and alerting on threats as they occur.  

Risk Assessment

Conduct a thorough risk assessment to identify the most critical assets and vulnerabilities within your OT environment. This helps you prioritize cybersecurity investments where they are needed the most. Radiflow’s CIARA platform not only conducts speedy, non-invasive risk assessments, but delivers a highly accurate risk score that considers the likelihood and impact of attacks on your operation. 

Risk-Based Budgeting

Allocate your cyber budget based on the assessed risks. Prioritize investments that address the highest-priority risks to your OT environment. CIARA risk assessment gives you a prioritized list of steps to take to help you get the most bang for the buck.   

Incident Response Plan

Develop a robust incident response plan that outlines how to react in case of a cyber incident. This plan can help minimize the impact of an attack without requiring significant upfront investments. Radiflow has vast experience with IR plans and is happy to share.

Regulatory Compliance

Ensure that you comply with relevant OT cybersecurity standards like IEC62443 and NIST CSF. Compliance can create targets leading to budget allocations for improving cybersecurity. CIARA embeds the major standards in its risk score calculations and mitigation plans.  

Long-Term Planning

Develop a long-term cybersecurity strategy that outlines how you will gradually improve your OT security over time as your budget allows. CIARA shows you the way by prioritizing mitigations relative to your budget as well as cybersecurity standards.

Employee Training and Awareness

Beyond all the cybersecurity practices and tools, your employees remain one of the most attacked vectors through phishing and social engineering. Educate your OT staff on cybersecurity risks and best practices. A well-informed workforce can help detect and mitigate threats effectively. Talk to us about effective cyber training programs.

Outsourcing

Consider outsourcing all or some aspects of your OT cybersecurity. This can be more cost-effective than maintaining an in-house security team and licensing products. Radiflow staffs a Security Operations Center that provides remote cyber services 24/7/365. We just recently added Risk Assessment as a Service whereby your organization can outsource some or all the capabilities of CIARA risk assessment mentioned earlier. In addition, many Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) use Radiflow products to perform their OT cybersecurity services.

Final Thoughts

While budget constraints can be challenging, the cost of a cybersecurity breach in an OT environment can be far more significant. It’s essential to strike a balance between cost-effective solutions and risk mitigation to protect your critical infrastructure effectively. Radiflow offers the products and services that help you maintain the requisite security posture within your 2024 budget.