Managing Vulnerabilities the Right Way

Why OT security calls for more than patches

Cyber attacks on critical infrastructure aren't just on the rise – they are becoming more targeted and sophisticated, and are increasingly exploiting specific vulnerabilities in OT components. Which makes a professional vulnerability management approach an absolute must these days. But as many of you working in operations, maintenance or network technology every day know all too well, simply identifying the affected components is often difficult enough – not to mention finding a possible patch. Even if you know that a vulnerability exists, there's no way you can carry out an update right away.

So what can you do?

The Reality in OT – and Why it's Different

In the world of IT, updates do involve testing and approvals as well – but these processes are usually significantly simpler than in OT, where maximum availability and longer testing cycles are the name of the game. Another factor is that even if a manufacturer puts out a patch, it's not always usable – because it might lead to changes in functions that you need in your specific installation, for example. The upshot is that a patch isn't technically feasible in many cases – or can result in new risks.

And this is where it becomes clear exactly how robust your security strategy actually is.

What you really need: transparency, prioritization and context

You know your installations, your components and your processes. But can you tell which devices are impacted by which vulnerabilities at the touch of a button – and whether they actually pose an acute risk? And this is the key: the decisions you make need to be based on the reality of your own installation, not just on a CVE notification.

An effective vulnerability management system gives you this overview of the vulnerabilities that matter to you – automatically and always up to date.

StationGuard GridOps – vulnerability management designed for OT

StationGuard GridOps is the tool that meets these exact criteria, as it brings all information together in one place. It automatically creates a precise asset inventory, compares this with over 13 000 vulnerabilities and 5 500 advisories, and covers over 39 manufacturers. With the latest version 2.00, you can now assign a status to every vulnerability (e.g., "Risk accepted" or "Patched") and document mitigation measures in a traceable way.

New with version 2.00:

Status-based vulnerability management
Assign vulnerabilities a status such as "Patched", "Risk accepted" or "Mitigation pending" – for a clear overview and audit-proof traceability.
More precise vulnerability matching
The new version is better at identifying variants and modules (e.g., Siemens CP modules) and more adept at working through naming inconsistencies and CSAF contexts.
New Vulnerability page
All detailed information, affected assets and actions at a glance.
Extended asset type database:
We have added new device manufacturers and lines from companies including Schneider, Siemens, Hitachi, Cisco and Fortinet.
And much more

➔ Discover StationGuard GridOps 2.00

StationGuard Sensor – identifying risks before they become an issue

As you know, there's always some residual risk even with the best patch plan. But if vulnerabilities can't be addressed for technical or organizational reasons, the risk is often unacceptable. In this case, you have to take an alternative approach, such as monitoring the installation to check whether vulnerabilities are exploited. An intrusion detection system is a good way of doing this,

and this is exactly why we developed StationGuard Sensor – an intrusion detection system (IDS) specifically optimized for use in protection and control systems.

New with version 3.00:

End-to-end network visualization
Displays reports, services, IP traffic and communication links – ideal for categorizing new or suspicious connections.
CSV import of assets
Get the complete configuration ready in the office – by importing your asset inventory including IP addresses, MAC addresses and device properties.
Maintenance mode via binary input
Ideal for automated processes or controlling existing SCADA systems directly.
PCAP playback
Use recorded network data for follow-up analysis – in real time and in detail.
Device role template library (DRTL)
Role profiles for common IEDs and SCADA devices, including predefined communication rights.
And much more

➔ Discover StationGuard Sensor 3.00

Make better decisions – even without a patch

You know your environment – and now you have the tools you need to realistically assess risks, document them and respond appropriately. StationGuard GridOps and the StationGuard Sensor put you in charge, every time – even if a patch isn't an option (yet).