Usage Monitoring – Continuous tracking of user activity and resource usage in OT (Operational Technology) systems to detect anomalies, ensure compliance, and improve security. Usage monitoring helps organizations maintain operational integrity by identifying suspicious behavior, potential threats, and inefficient resource usage in real-time.
Purpose of Usage Monitoring in OT Security
- Detect Anomalies – Identifies unusual patterns of user activity or system behavior that could indicate a cyberattack or insider threat.
- Ensure Compliance – Tracks user actions to align with security policies and regulatory requirements.
- Improve Security Posture – Provides visibility into OT systems, allowing security teams to respond to potential threats promptly.
- Optimize Resource Usage – Helps organizations monitor system performance and resource allocation to prevent inefficiencies or downtime.
Key Components of Usage Monitoring
- User Activity Tracking
Description: Monitors actions performed by users within OT systems, such as login attempts, file access, and command executions.
Example: An intrusion detection system (IDS) alerts the security team if an operator tries to access a restricted area of the control system.
- Resource Usage Monitoring
Description: Tracks the usage of system resources such as CPU, memory, network bandwidth, and storage to identify performance issues.
Example: A SCADA system reports high CPU usage on a PLC, indicating a possible malware infection or configuration issue.
- Anomaly Detection
Description: Uses baselines and machine learning to detect deviations from normal usage patterns that could indicate suspicious activity.
Example: An oil refinery’s monitoring tool flags an alert when a user logs into a system outside regular working hours.
- Access Log Management
Description: Collects and manages logs of user access attempts and actions for auditing and incident investigations.
Example: A water treatment facility maintains a log of all remote access sessions to ensure compliance with security policies.
- Real-Time Alerts
Description: Sends notifications to security teams when suspicious activity or resource anomalies are detected.
Example: A power utility receives an alert when a user attempts to execute an unauthorized command on a control server.
Best Practices for Usage Monitoring in OT
- Monitor Critical Systems Continuously
Description: Ensure critical OT systems are monitored 24/7 to detect and respond to threats in real-time.
Example: A factory continuously monitors its SCADA servers and PLCs to detect unauthorized changes.
- Implement Anomaly Detection Tools
Description: Automate tools to establish baselines and detect user activity and resource usage deviations.
Example: A water treatment plant uses a behavior-based monitoring tool to detect unusual login patterns.
- Regularly Review Logs and Reports
Description: Conduct periodic reviews of usage logs to identify potential security risks and improve system performance.
Example: A security team reviews weekly user activity reports to ensure access policy compliance.
- Restrict Access Based on Usage Patterns
Description: Adjust access control policies based on user behavior to minimize the risk of unauthorized actions.
Example: A power utility restricts remote access for users with abnormal login activity.
- Use Real-Time Alerts for Quick Response
Description: Configure monitoring tools to send immediate alerts for critical events, such as unauthorized access attempts or unusual resource usage.
Example: An oil and gas company receives an alert if a PLC shows an unexpected spike in network activity.
Benefits of Usage Monitoring in OT
- Early Threat Detection – Identifies potential security incidents before they can impact critical operations.
- Improved Compliance – Ensures user actions align with regulatory requirements and organizational security policies.
- Enhanced Accountability – Tracks and logs user activity, holding users accountable for their actions within OT systems.
- Operational Efficiency – Helps organizations optimize resource usage, preventing system performance issues.
- Reduced Insider Threats – Detects suspicious user behavior that could indicate malicious insider activity.
Challenges of Implementing Usage Monitoring in OT
- Legacy Systems
Description: Many older OT devices may lack built-in monitoring capabilities.
Solution: Use external monitoring tools or secure gateways to collect usage data from legacy systems.
- High Volume of Data
Description: OT systems generate large amounts of data, making it challenging to analyze usage logs effectively.
Solution: Use automated tools with machine learning to filter and analyze data for relevant insights.
- False Positives
Description: Monitoring tools may generate false alerts, causing unnecessary disruptions.
Solution: Regularly fine-tune anomaly detection tools to reduce false positives.
- Resource Constraints
Description: Implementing and managing usage monitoring requires dedicated personnel and tools.
Solution: Manage security services to reduce the burden on internal teams.
Examples of Usage Monitoring in OT
- SCADA Systems
Monitoring login attempts and command executions on SCADA servers to detect unauthorized access or suspicious behavior.
- Manufacturing Plants
Tracking resource usage on PLCs and HMIs to identify performance issues or possible malware infections.
- Power Utilities
Logging user activity on control systems to ensure compliance with access policies and detect insider threats.
- Water Treatment Facilities
Using real-time alerts to detect unusual network activity, such as a spike in data traffic from a sensor.
Conclusion
Usage Monitoring is an essential security measure in OT cybersecurity, providing continuous visibility into user activity and resource usage within OT systems. By detecting anomalies, ensuring compliance, and improving system performance, usage monitoring helps organizations protect their critical infrastructure from cyber threats. Implementing best practices such as continuous monitoring, anomaly detection, and real-time alerts enhances the security posture of OT environments and supports regulatory compliance.
%202.svg)