The impact of cyberthreats on industrial systems goes beyond data loss and IT disruptions. In an industrial environment, the interference of a malicious entity can possibly halt production, damage machinery, and create safety hazards that seriously endanger lives and property. Such events can even cause ripples in the supply chain and impact other businesses and sectors.
To avoid the losses and damages that can be caused by falling victim to cyberattacks, it’s important for your company to adopt a proactive stance in protecting your industrial systems. Perhaps it’s easy to think that this starts with employing world-class security measures and technology, but in reality, that comes later in the process. If you want to set a solid foundation for securing your industrial facility, you’ll have to start by mapping out your operational technology (OT). Here are six reasons you should do this before anything else:
The first and most obvious reason to map your OT assets is visibility. OT networks often include a wide range of devices, such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs), remote terminal units (RTUs), human-machine interfaces (HMIs), and other specialised equipment.
Many of these devices were not originally designed with cybersecurity in mind, and some may have been added over time without formal documentation. If you don’t have a complete picture of every device, system, and connection in your environment, you can’t know where your vulnerabilities lie.
Mapping your assets allows you to see exactly what is in your network. The process will also help you uncover forgotten or hidden systems and identify unauthorised additions. This step lays the groundwork for every other security effort you take.
Once you have visibility, you can start assessing the level of risk associated with each asset. You’re well aware that not all devices are created equal. There are components that serve a critical role in daily operations, and there are others that are less important. If you have a full grasp on the role each asset plays, you’ll be able to prioritise your efforts and focus on securing the systems that would cause the most damage if compromised.
Asset mapping also helps you understand dependencies between systems. If one device is affected, what else might be at risk? This kind of insight allows for smarter, more efficient decision-making when it comes to both prevention and response.
Time is of the essence in the event of a security incident. The longer it takes to identify the affected systems and isolate the threat, the greater the potential for disruption. If you have an up-to-date asset map, your incident response team can act quickly and confidently. They’ll know which systems are connected, which are critical, and how to contain the issue without causing unnecessary downtime.
In this manner, you can think of your asset map as a roadmap for emergencies. It provides context and clarity during high-pressure situations, both of which are essential in enabling your team to act fast and limit the impact of an attack.
In many industries, rather than a best practice, asset mapping is a requirement. Whether you’re working under international standards like ISO/IEC 62443 or local New Zealand regulations for critical infrastructure, you’ll need to demonstrate a solid understanding of your OT environment.
Having a well-documented asset inventory simplifies the compliance process. Plus, this document can effectively show auditors and stakeholders that you take security seriously.
A complete map of your assets on hand ensures that you can more easily establish what “normal” looks like in your environment. This baseline is crucial for spotting anomalies. For example, if a device suddenly starts sending data to an unfamiliar IP address, or if a system behaves differently than usual, these could be early signs of a cyber-attack.
Mapping helps you monitor the health and behaviour of your network over time. You can set alerts for unexpected changes and investigate issues before they turn into serious problems. This gives you a better chance of stopping threats early—before any real damage is done.
Asset mapping isn’t a one-time task. Your OT environment will change as you add new systems, retire old ones, or reconfigure your network. Keeping your map up to date ensures that your security strategy evolves alongside your technology. It also helps with planning future upgrades and improvements.
When you know what you have and how it all fits together, you’ll be able to make smarter decisions about where to invest in new defences, which legacy systems need attention, and how to design a network that balances performance and protection.
In summary, mapping your operational technology assets involves more than just taking inventory—it’s ultimately a strategic move that supports every other aspect of your cybersecurity efforts. A clear understanding of your environment enables you to act with confidence, respond to threats faster, and build a security program that supports long-term success.
Our team at Network Edge can help you with asset mapping and setting a solid foundation for a safer, smarter, and more resilient industrial operation. Contact us now to secure your IT assets and make key improvements to your business’s systems.
