In the modern industrial landscape, the “air gap” is a relic of the past. As Industry 4.0 matures into the era of AI-driven autonomy, the reliance on wireless protocols like Wi-Fi 6E/7, WirelessHART, Zigbee, and LoRaWAN has exploded. While these technologies drive unprecedented efficiency in predictive maintenance and asset tracking, they also expand the industrial attack surface into the invisible radio frequency (RF) spectrum.
For the OT Ecosystem, securing the wireless layer isn’t just about data privacy; it’s about operational resilience and physical safety. In 2025, we are seeing a surge in “Zero-Click” wireless exploits and RF-based signal manipulation targeting SCADA systems. To stay ahead, organizations must move beyond static monitoring and adopt specialized tools designed for the unique rigors of Operational Technology (OT).
The Evolution of Wireless Risks in Industrial Environments
Historically, wireless in a factory or utility was limited to basic Wi-Fi for handheld scanners. Today, we have high-density IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) meshes and private 5G networks controlling robotic arms and chemical flows.
The challenge? Standard IT security tools are often “blind” to non-IP protocols like Zigbee or the nuances of industrial frequency hopping. A rogue access point in a carpeted office is a nuisance; a rogue gateway in a power substation is a catastrophic vulnerability.
Top 10 Wireless Security Tools for OT & Industrial IoT
To help you navigate this complex landscape, we’ve curated the top 10 tools that provide visibility, threat detection, and risk management for the industrial wireless domain.
1. Nozomi Networks Guardian (with Guardian Air)
Nozomi has long been a leader in OT visibility, but their Guardian Air sensor specifically addresses the wireless blind spot. It provides continuous monitoring of the RF environment to detect unauthorized Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular connections.
- Why it’s top-tier: It integrates wireless alerts directly into the same dashboard used for your wired ICS network, providing a “single pane of glass.”
- Best for: Large-scale manufacturing and utilities requiring unified OT/IoT monitoring.
2. Armis Centrix™
Armis is the pioneer of agentless device security. Its strength lies in its massive “Asset Intelligence Engine,” which tracks over billions of device profiles. In an IIoT context, Armis excels at identifying “shadow” wireless devices-like a smart coffee machine plugged into a control room outlet-that could serve as a pivot point for attackers.
- Unique Value: Completely passive monitoring that ensures zero impact on sensitive OT latency.
- Best for: Complex environments with a high volume of unmanaged IoT/IIoT devices.
3. Bastille Networks
While many tools focus on the protocol layer, Bastille focuses on the RF Emission layer. It uses a patented sensor array to geolocate every wireless device in your facility, from a standard Wi-Fi laptop to a malicious RF spy device.
- Industrial Edge: It can detect “protocol-agnostic” threats-transmissions that don’t follow standard Wi-Fi/Bluetooth rules but are exfiltrating data.
- Best for: High-security critical infrastructure (e.g., nuclear, defense) where physical location of devices is paramount.
4. Claroty xDome
Claroty’s xDome platform is built for the “Extended IoT” (XIoT). It provides deep packet inspection (DPI) for industrial wireless protocols, ensuring that the commands sent over WirelessHART or ISA100.11a are legitimate and haven’t been tampered with.
- Key Feature: Strong focus on risk-based vulnerability management, prioritizing wireless assets based on their criticality to production.
- Best for: Highly regulated industries like Pharmaceuticals and Food & Beverage.
5. Dragos Platform
The Dragos Platform is famous for its threat intelligence. In 2025, their wireless capabilities focus on detecting adversary behaviors (TTPs) specific to industrial wireless exploitation. Rather than just alerting on a new device, Dragos tells you if that device is behaving like a known threat group.
- Expert Insight: Comes with “Neighborhood Watch” features to monitor the boundaries between wireless IIoT and the core ICS.
- Best for: Organizations targeted by sophisticated, nation-state actors.
6. Wireshark (with Industrial Protocol Plug-ins)
The “Swiss Army Knife” of network analysis remains essential. For OT engineers, Wireshark is used to troubleshoot and secure wireless traffic at the packet level. By using specialized hardware like the AirPcap, engineers can sniff 802.11 frames to identify de-authentication attacks.
- Pro Tip: Use the S7comm or Modbus dissectors to analyze industrial payloads wrapped in wireless frames.
- Best for: Forensic analysis and deep-dive troubleshooting by security researchers.
7. Forescout eyeInspect
Formerly known as SilentDefense, eyeInspect is tailored for technical OT environments. It offers a dedicated “Wireless Security” module that monitors for rogue APs, “Evil Twin” attacks, and misconfigured IIoT gateways that might be bridging the OT and IT networks.
- Benefit: Excellent for verifying “Network Segmentation”-ensuring your wireless sensors aren’t talking to the open internet.
- Best for: Global enterprises needing to manage thousands of remote industrial sites.
8. PENTEST-ON-THE-GO: HackRF One / Proxmark3
In the hands of an offensive security professional, these hardware tools are vital for “War Driving” and signal auditing within a plant.
- The Use Case: The HackRF One is a Software Defined Radio (SDR) that can scan the 1MHz to 6GHz range. It is used to audit the security of proprietary wireless remotes and non-standard IIoT frequencies.
- Best for: Red-teaming and periodic security audits of physical perimeters.
9. Microsoft Defender for IoT
By leveraging the power of the Azure cloud, Microsoft provides a highly scalable way to monitor wireless IIoT. Its integration with Sentinel allows for automated playbooks-if a suspicious wireless connection is detected in the factory, the system can automatically isolate that segment.
- Cloud Advantage: Ideal for “Greenfield” projects where new IIoT sensors are being deployed with cloud-native connectivity.
- Best for: Digital-first manufacturers already integrated into the Microsoft ecosystem.
10. Tenable OT Security
Tenable (formerly Indegy) is the gold standard for asset inventory. Their wireless security focus is on Configuration Compliance. It alerts you if a wireless-enabled PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) has its radio enabled but is not using WPA3 or has its default “admin” password active.
- Visibility: Provides a holistic view of both active and “dormant” wireless capabilities across the plant floor.
- Best for: Compliance-driven organizations (NERC CIP, IEC 62443).
Critical Breakdown: Wireless Security Best Practices for 2025
Choosing a tool is only half the battle. To build a resilient OT Ecosystem, you must apply these architectural principles:
1. Hardening the RF Physical Layer
Unlike a wired port, you cannot “unplug” the air. Use directional antennas to limit signal bleed outside the facility walls. Deploying “RF Shielding” in sensitive areas can prevent external eavesdropping.
2. Protocol-Specific Segmentation
Treat your WirelessHART or LoRaWAN networks as “untrusted” zones. Even if the devices are yours, they should pass through a strictly controlled gateway before interacting with the wired ICS backbone.
3. Continuous Asset Discovery
In the time it takes to read this blog, a contractor could have walked onto your site with a Wi-Fi-enabled tablet or a 5G hotspot. Real-time discovery is non-negotiable.
4. Moving to WPA3 and Beyond
Legacy industrial equipment often relies on WPA2 or (frighteningly) WEP. 2025 is the year to phase out legacy wireless modules in favor of hardware that supports WPA3-Enterprise, providing 192-bit cryptographic strength.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead for OT Ecosystems
Wireless technology is the nervous system of the modern factory. However, without the right security tools, it becomes a wide-open backdoor for disruption. By leveraging tools like Nozomi, Armis, and Bastille, and pairing them with a Zero-Trust mindset, industrial leaders can reap the benefits of mobility without sacrificing the safety of their operations.