For decades, industrial networks operated under the assumption that isolation was the strongest form of protection. Manufacturing plants, power grids, water treatment facilities, oil & gas refineries, and logistics operations relied on air-gapped OT systems to remain secure. But the rapid convergence of IT, OT, and IIoT has completely reshaped that landscape.
Today, every industrial organization is hyper-connected – and deeply vulnerable.
Legacy PLCs, RTUs, HMIs, DCS components, industrial sensors, and IoT devices that were never designed for cybersecurity are now exposed through remote access, cloud platforms, and interconnected supply chains. The result is a growing attack surface and an urgent need for real-time, accurate OT asset visibility.
This is where OT asset discovery tools come in.
These specialized platforms are built to identify every device, protocol, connection, and process running in an ICS/SCADA environment – including deeply embedded and undocumented assets. Asset discovery is now considered the first essential step in any industrial security strategy, forming the backbone of risk management, segmentation, compliance, and threat detection.
This blog explores the 15 best OT asset discovery tools in 2025, each offering unique strengths for industrial visibility, anomaly detection, and security posture improvement.
Why OT Asset Discovery Matters More Than Ever
1. Legacy Systems Lack Security
Most OT equipment is decades old and cannot support encryption, logging, or basic authentication. Asset discovery tools help identify vulnerable equipment that requires segmentation or compensating controls.
2. Shadow OT & Unmonitored IIoT Devices Are Increasing
From smart sensors to wireless HMIs, IIoT adoption introduces new assets that often appear without IT or security approval.
3. Cyber Threats Against OT Are Evolving
Modern attacks like Industroyer2, Triton, EKANS, and Volt Typhoon show that adversaries now target engineering workstations, safety controllers, and field devices.
4. Compliance Requirements Demand Visibility
Frameworks such as NERC CIP, ISA/IEC 62443, CMMC, ISO 27001, and DORA mandate accurate asset inventories and configuration monitoring.
5. Real-Time Process Integrity Depends on Complete Device Awareness
Even a misconfigured sensor can cause safety incidents, shutdowns, or production losses.
OT asset discovery is not a “nice to have” – it’s a mission-critical capability for industrial operations in 2025.
What Makes a Great OT Asset Discovery Tool?
When evaluating OT asset discovery platforms, organizations look for:
✔ Passive Deep Packet Inspection (DPI)
To safely analyze industrial protocols like Modbus, DNP3, Profinet, EtherNet/IP, OPC UA, IEC 104 without disrupting operations.
✔ Active or Safe-Query Features
Some tools perform low-touch probing for deeper insights without impacting device performance.
✔ Support for Hybrid OT/IT/IIoT Environments
Industrial plants now merge field devices, edge gateways, cloud systems, and IT networks.
✔ Real-Time Topology Mapping
Visualizing communication flows and dependency chains is essential for segmentation.
✔ Risk & Vulnerability Detection
Highlighting insecure firmware versions, default credentials, outdated devices, and risky configurations.
✔ Integration with SOC Tools
SIEM, SOAR, EDR/XDR, and CMDB compatibility is increasingly important.
✔ Compliance & Reporting Automation
Organizations require audit-ready reports for regulations and global standards.
Best 15 OT Asset Discovery Tools for Industrial Environments (2025 Edition)
Below is a comprehensive, updated list of the most reliable and widely adopted OT discovery solutions across industrial sectors.
1. Nozomi Networks Guardian
Best For: Real-time ICS/IIoT monitoring with advanced threat detection
Nozomi is known for its deep industrial protocol visibility and machine learning-driven anomaly detection. It provides accurate asset inventories, network maps, and behavior analytics across OT and IoT environments.
Key Capabilities:
- Passive DPI for hundreds of ICS protocols
- Automated asset classification
- Real-time anomaly detection
- Integrations with SIEM, EDR, and cloud security platforms
- Strong support for utilities and critical infrastructure
2. Claroty xDome & Continuous Threat Detection (CTD)
Best For: Enterprise-grade OT visibility and vulnerability management
Claroty’s platform combines asset discovery with risk scoring, segmentation recommendations, and threat detection. Widely used in pharmaceutical, manufacturing, and energy sectors.
Key Capabilities:
- Deep protocol awareness
- Secure remote access for OT
- Risk-based vulnerability prioritization
- SBOM (Software Bill of Materials) support
- Unified OT/IoT/IIoT visibility
3. Dragos Platform
Best For: Industrial threat intelligence and asset-centric OT monitoring
Dragos is preferred by critical infrastructure organizations for its unmatched threat intelligence and ICS-specific incident response capabilities.
Key Capabilities:
- Passive asset discovery
- Threat behavior analytics using Dragos ICS intel
- OT vulnerability management
- Mapping to MITRE ATT&CK for ICS
- Purpose-built for high-risk industrial sectors
4. Armis Centrix for OT
Best For: Unified visibility across OT, IT, IoT, and medical devices
Armis excels in discovering unmanaged and unagented devices across diverse environments.
Key Capabilities:
- Cloud-native platform
- Asset risk scoring
- Behavior-based device analytics
- Cross-environment visibility (OT/IT/IoT)
- Excellent for hybrid industrial campuses
5. Cisco Cyber Vision
Best For: Organizations using Cisco industrial switches and routers
Cisco Cyber Vision provides OT visibility integrated directly into the network infrastructure.
Key Capabilities:
- Embedded sensors in Cisco equipment
- Network-based asset discovery
- Zero-trust segmentation support
- Excellent scalability for large environments
6. Forescout Continuum Platform (formerly SilentDefense)
Best For: Large-scale OT/IT visibility without agents
Forescout provides enterprise-wide discovery and posture management.
Key Capabilities:
- Passive ICS traffic inspection
- Network segmentation and NAC integration
- Compliance and hygiene dashboards
- Broad protocol support
7. Tenable OT Security (formerly Indegy)
Best For: Controller integrity monitoring and configuration tracking
Tenable OT Security is highly valued for its unique insights into PLC logic and configuration changes.
Key Capabilities:
- Deep visibility into PLC/RTU firmware and logic
- Configuration integrity alerts
- Passive and active scanning options
- Integrates with Tenable’s vulnerability ecosystem
8. SCADAfence Platform
Best For: Enterprise OT monitoring and low-noise asset detection
SCADAfence is known for its lightweight architecture and scalability.
Key Capabilities:
- Passive OT discovery
- Low false-positive rates
- Cloud-based analytics
- Strong deployment speed and usability
9. TXOne StellarOne OT Security Platform
Best For: Combining OT endpoint and network-level visibility
TXOne focuses on securing industrial endpoints while providing network discovery.
Key Capabilities:
- ICSS endpoint protection
- Network segmentation recommendations
- Asset profiling for OT systems
- Strong edge gateway visibility
10. Honeywell Forge Cybersecurity
Best For: Industrial facilities already leveraging Honeywell DCS systems
Built for process industries, Honeywell Forge provides detailed visibility across Honeywell and multi-vendor OT ecosystems.
Key Capabilities:
- OT asset discovery
- Patch & vulnerability management
- Secure remote access
- ICS configuration monitoring
11. Schneider Electric EcoStruxure Cybersecurity
Best For: Environments with Schneider Electric OT devices
EcoStruxure provides asset visibility and security insights tailored for manufacturing and energy operations.
Key Capabilities:
- OT asset inventory
- Monitoring of Schneider + third-party equipment
- Operational continuity dashboards
12. Fortinet FortiNAC & FortiAIOps (with OT extensions)
Best For: Network access control-based OT discovery
Organizations using Fortinet firewalls benefit from native OT device visibility.
Key Capabilities:
- Discovery via NAC
- OT protocol detection through FortiGate
- Role-based network segmentation
- Integrates with FortiSIEM
13. Microsoft Defender for IoT (formerly CyberX)
Best For: Cloud-integrated OT monitoring via Azure
Defender for IoT provides OT visibility with strong IoT and cloud security alignment.
Key Capabilities:
- Passive asset discovery
- Mapping to MITRE ATT&CK for ICS
- Threat intelligence from Microsoft’s global sensors
- Seamless integration with Azure Sentinel
14. Opswat MetaDefender ICS Security
Best For: Secure file transfer and asset discovery for critical OT networks
Opswat specializes in secure data flow and device characterization.
Key Capabilities:
- OT asset fingerprints
- File sanitization and flow control
- Protocol-based network visibility
15. Garland Technology + Garland OT Visibility Solutions
Best For: Hardware-level network visibility
Garland’s taps and packet brokers deliver the clean, reliable data pipeline needed for accurate OT discovery.
Key Capabilities:
- Out-of-band monitoring
- Clean traffic feeds for DPI tools
- Enhanced accuracy for OT asset visibility platforms
How to Choose the Right OT Asset Discovery Tool
When selecting a platform, consider:
1. Your Industry Sector and Compliance Needs
Oil & gas, power, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals have different regulatory pressures.
2. The Complexity of Your ICS Environment
Legacy vs. modern controllers, multi-vendor systems, hybrid OT/IIoT integrations.
3. Required Deployment Model
Cloud-based, on-prem, air-gapped, or hybrid.
4. Integration Ecosystem
Check compatibility with SIEM, SOAR, firewalls, CMDB, and IT asset platforms.
5. Availability of Local Support & OT Expertise
OT security requires domain-aware partners, not generic IT vendors.
Future Trends in OT Asset Discovery (2025 and Beyond)
1. AI-Augmented Discovery & Behavior Modeling
Platforms will predict device failures and deviations before they happen.
2. Unified OT/IoT/Edge/Cloud Visibility
Boundaries between these domains are dissolving.
3. Automated Segmentation Recommendations
Zero-trust architectures will rely heavily on real-time asset intelligence.
4. SBOM & Firmware Risk Mapping
Supply chain attacks require deeper visibility into device components.
5. Integration with Industrial Data Lakes and Digital Twins
Asset discovery will feed engineering, reliability, and operations teams – not just cybersecurity.
Conclusion: Visibility Is the First Step Toward Secure Industrial Operations
OT asset discovery is no longer optional for modern industrial organizations. With rising cyber threats, expanding IIoT ecosystems, and stringent regulations, having accurate, real-time visibility across all ICS/OT components is essential. The tools listed above represent the best and most trusted technologies available in 2025, each delivering unique value depending on your industrial environment and operational needs.
A robust OT asset discovery strategy strengthens security, enhances reliability, and empowers organizations to build safer and more resilient industrial systems.