The Growing Threat to Industrial Control Systems (ICS)
In April 2025, a hydroelectric dam in Norway experienced a cyberattack that revealed the vulnerabilities of industrial control systems (ICS). Hackers gained access to the system, manipulated a valve, and caused water to be released at alarming rates. While the immediate physical damage was avoided, the incident underscored the alarming reality: once hackers breach OT systems, the damage can be swift and severe.
This attack is part of a larger trend. A 2024 threat report revealed a 19% rise in cyberattacks targeting OT systems from 2022 to 2023, with ransomware being responsible for the majority of these attacks. Ransomware in OT environments no longer just encrypts files—it can cause full-scale production shutdowns, environmental harm, and safety risks.
Why Are OT Systems Vulnerable to Cyberattacks?
Unlike their IT counterparts, OT systems often rely on outdated technologies that were not originally designed with cybersecurity in mind. Common vulnerabilities in OT systems include:
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Use of default or shared passwords
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Lack of real-time monitoring
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Manual authentication for remote maintenance
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Insufficient identity and access management tools
In fact, a 2024 SANS Institute survey found that over 75% of industrial organizations now use multi-factor authentication (MFA) for remote access, with more than half detecting OT incidents within 24 hours. However, rapid detection does not guarantee rapid containment, and many organizations still struggle to mitigate the damage once attackers have gained access.
The Critical Role of Authentication in Securing OT Systems
Authentication weaknesses are among the most common entry points for attackers. In many cases, hackers exploit flaws like unpatched remote desktop access points, hardcoded credentials, or unsecured human-machine interfaces (HMIs). These weaknesses allow cybercriminals to bypass traditional security measures without needing advanced malware or exploits.
A significant challenge in OT environments is that traditional IT security tools are often unsuitable. They may introduce latency, require constant connectivity, or not be compatible with older systems. Additionally, they don’t align well with the offline, high-security nature of many OT networks.
Industrial organizations often face a difficult choice: enabling external access for maintenance and support or securing systems by limiting connections. Unfortunately, both options carry operational and safety risks.
A New Approach to OT Security: Advanced Authentication Solutions
To mitigate these vulnerabilities, a new generation of authentication solutions is being developed specifically for OT environments. These solutions focus on dynamic, one-time codes that are:
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Generated offline and tied to a specific user and session
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Cannot be reused or intercepted
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Provide granular permissions based on time, location, device, and user role
These modern authentication tools enable passwordless access even in air-gapped networks and allow secure remote maintenance without VPNs or shared credentials. By integrating such solutions, industrial organizations can reduce the attack surface and maintain operational continuity.
Securing Industrial Environments: Why Immediate Action Is Essential
The Norwegian dam incident serves as a stark reminder that proactive cybersecurity measures cannot wait. Cybersecurity for OT systems must start with robust access control—an essential part of the infrastructure design, not an afterthought.
As OT systems become more interconnected with digital platforms, the risk of both physical and cyber threats converging grows. The best way to protect critical infrastructure is to prevent unauthorized access before it occurs, leveraging authentication systems designed specifically for the unique needs of OT environments.