OT security is a highly complex field that needs specialist attention, there’s no denying that. With a mix of legacy systems, industrial control systems, regulatory pressures, and a growing attack landscape, many organisations are often overwhelmed by the intricacies of securing their, essentially, money-making environments. The old saying ‘if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it’ springs to mind.
However, complexity itself has a cost. A convoluted security strategy drains resources, extends timelines, increases the risk of failure, and, let’s be honest, often rinses the business budget. The solution? A simple, structured approach that optimises security while reducing costs and implementation time.
The Hidden Costs of Complexity
Many organisations, through no fault of their own, approach OT security with a patchwork of tools, policies, and frameworks, leading to inefficiencies and inflated costs. We’ve had numerous conversations with clients who identified the problem, brought in what they thought were specialists that could help, only to be handed a shopping list of tools and a report the size of a dictionary, outlining actions they need to take without really understanding the organisations they are dealing with.
Here’s how complexity manifests as an unnecessary financial and time-consuming burden:
- Increased Implementation Costs – A highly complex OT security strategy often requires more personnel, expensive solutions, and extended project timelines, which can drive up costs significantly.
- Operational Inefficiency – If security controls are too complex to follow, teams may circumvent them, leading to a false sense of security and operational disruptions.
- Greater Risk of Errors – A cluttered security environment with overlapping tools and redundant processes increases the risk of misconfigurations and security gaps.
- Longer Response Times – When security frameworks are overly intricate, responding to incidents becomes slower and less effective, increasing downtime and potential damage.
- Regulatory & Compliance Challenges – Complex security strategies can make it difficult to demonstrate compliance with frameworks like NIS2, leading to regulatory penalties and legal issues.
The Power of Simplicity
A simple, structured approach to OT security can streamline operations, enhance effectiveness, and reduce costs. Here’s what a simplified OT security strategy looks like:
1. Focus on the Fundamentals
Many security programmes fail because they chase the latest technology instead of reinforcing core principles. Prioritising asset discovery, network segmentation, access control, and vulnerability management ensures a strong security foundation without unnecessary complexity. Don’t get me wrong, tools are great, but you don’t need them all — you need what’s right and going to work.
2. Standardisation & Automation
Reducing variability in security processes through standardisation and automation minimises human error and increases efficiency. Implementing automated asset discovery, patch management, and anomaly detection can drastically reduce the burden on security teams. We know some great vendors that can help with this.
3. Risk-Based Prioritisation
Not all vulnerabilities pose the same level of risk. A risk-based approach allows organisations to allocate resources efficiently, addressing the most critical vulnerabilities first instead of spreading security investments too thin. Our OT Risk Insight Service can provide you with that information.
4. Clear & Actionable Policies
Security policies should be simple, clear, and actionable. If frontline workers and engineers cannot easily follow security guidelines, those policies will likely be ignored, leaving security gaps. Remember, there are a lot more stakeholders involved in OT security policies. Some stakeholders better understand why security is important than others, so policies must be clear enough for all audiences.
5. Integration Over Expansion
Instead of continually adding new tools to the security stack, organisations should focus on integrating existing solutions more effectively. A well-integrated security environment reduces redundancies, improves visibility, and enhances response capabilities.
6. Continuous Improvement
Security is an ongoing process, not a one-time project. Regularly reviewing and refining security strategies helps maintain simplicity and adaptability in an evolving threat landscape.
The ROI of Simplification
A simplified OT security approach delivers significant cost savings and efficiency gains:
- Reduced Implementation Costs – Focusing on core security measures avoids unnecessary expenses tied to overly complex strategies.
- Lower Operational Overhead – Streamlined security policies and automated processes reduce the workload on security teams.
- Faster Incident Response – A well-structured security framework allows for quicker detection and mitigation of threats.
- Stronger Compliance Posture – Clear security processes make regulatory compliance easier and more cost-effective.
Conclusion
In OT security, complexity does not equal effectiveness. In fact, it often leads to higher costs, inefficiencies, and security gaps. By adopting a simple, structured approach, organisations can enhance their security posture while saving time and money. The key is to focus on the fundamentals, standardise processes, integrate rather than expand, and continuously refine security strategies. Simplicity is not just about doing less — it’s about doing security smarter.
