The Growing Risk of Insider Threats in Industrial Networks
The landscape of cybersecurity in Operational Technology (OT) networks is becoming increasingly complex. As industries continue to integrate digital technologies and IoT devices into their operations, the risk of cyber threats expands. While external threats such as hackers and state-sponsored cyber actors have always posed significant risks, insider threats-those originating from within the organization-are emerging as one of the most dangerous challenges to secure OT environments.
In industrial settings, insider threats are particularly concerning because employees, contractors, and trusted partners often have authorized access to sensitive systems and networks. This access can be exploited, either intentionally or unintentionally, to cause data breaches, operational disruptions, or even sabotage critical infrastructure. With the stakes so high in industries like energy, manufacturing, and transportation, identifying and mitigating insider threats is a top priority for OT cybersecurity teams in 2025.
In this blog post, we will explore the nature of insider threats in industrial networks, how they manifest, and the best strategies to detect and prevent them. By understanding the tactics employed by insiders, organizations can develop proactive measures to protect their OT systems from these ever-growing risks.
What Are Insider Threats in Industrial Networks?
Insider threats refer to malicious or negligent actions by individuals within an organization who exploit their access to critical OT systems and data. These insiders could be employees, contractors, or business partners with legitimate access rights, making it harder to identify and prevent their actions compared to external attackers.
In the context of industrial networks, insider threats can have far-reaching consequences, as they directly affect critical infrastructure that supports daily operations. The potential damage caused by insider threats can range from data theft and intellectual property leakage to causing physical damage or disrupting critical industrial processes.
Types of Insider Threats in OT Environments:
- Malicious Insiders: Employees or contractors who intentionally cause harm, steal intellectual property, or disrupt operations for personal gain or sabotage.
- Negligent Insiders: Well-intentioned employees who inadvertently compromise security by failing to follow proper security protocols, resulting in system vulnerabilities or unintentional data leaks.
- Compromised Insiders: Individuals whose accounts have been taken over by external threat actors. These adversaries use legitimate access to bypass security measures and carry out malicious activities without detection.
Given the complexities of OT networks, which often involve legacy systems and critical infrastructure, identifying and mitigating these threats requires a multi-layered security approach.
Why Are Insider Threats a Growing Concern in OT?
The rise of insider threats in OT networks is driven by several key factors:
- Increased Digital Transformation and Connectivity:
As industrial operations become more connected to IT networks, cloud platforms, and IoT devices, the attack surface increases. The integration of IT and OT systems often results in weaker network segmentation, providing insiders with greater access to sensitive OT systems. - Access to Sensitive Data:
Insiders within OT environments often have privileged access to operational data, process controls, and proprietary intellectual property. This makes them ideal targets for adversaries looking to exploit internal vulnerabilities for financial or strategic gain. - Lack of Effective Security Measures:
Many OT systems, especially legacy ones, lack modern security features like multi-factor authentication (MFA) or encryption. This leaves OT systems more vulnerable to insider threats, where legitimate access can be used maliciously. - Trust in Employees and Contractors:
Employees and contractors often enjoy high levels of trust within organizations. This trust can be exploited, as insiders may intentionally or unintentionally breach security protocols, making it harder to detect unauthorized activities in the network. - Supply Chain Vulnerabilities:
Contractors and third-party vendors with access to OT networks can introduce security risks if their systems are compromised or they fail to follow proper security protocols. These individuals often have greater access than external attackers, making them a potential vector for data exfiltration or system manipulation.
Common Insider Threat Scenarios in OT Networks
Understanding the various ways insider threats manifest in industrial networks can help organizations identify potential vulnerabilities and put preventive measures in place.
1. Data Theft and Intellectual Property Leaks
Employees or contractors with access to sensitive data may intentionally or inadvertently steal intellectual property, operational data, or other valuable information. This could include schematics, proprietary algorithms, customer data, or trade secrets related to industrial operations.
Example: A disgruntled engineer at a manufacturing plant downloads proprietary designs and shares them with a competitor.
2. Sabotage of Industrial Systems
Malicious insiders may use their access to sabotage critical systems, causing physical damage or disruptions to industrial operations. This could involve altering system configurations, shutting down equipment, or introducing malware into OT systems.
Example: An employee with knowledge of a power grid system may intentionally disable protective measures, causing a blackout or damaging electrical equipment.
3. Unintentional System Misconfigurations
Negligent insiders may accidentally misconfigure OT systems or fail to follow best practices for cybersecurity. These actions can lead to vulnerabilities that are exploited by malicious actors, either internally or externally.
Example: A maintenance technician unknowingly disables an important security control, leaving the OT network vulnerable to external cyberattacks.
4. Credential Theft or Abuse
Insiders may steal or misuse login credentials to access restricted areas of the OT network. This can occur if an employee’s login credentials are compromised, or if an insider with legitimate access chooses to bypass security controls.
Example: A contractor with access to OT systems uses a colleague’s login credentials to access sensitive data and transfer it to an external device.
Detection Tips for Insider Threats in OT Networks
Detecting insider threats in OT networks can be challenging, especially since insiders often have legitimate access to critical systems. However, there are several effective strategies and best practices that can help organizations detect and mitigate these threats.
1. Behavioral Analytics and Anomaly Detection
Behavioral analytics use machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor user activities in real time and identify anomalous behavior. In OT environments, these tools can detect deviations from normal user behavior, such as unusual data access, unauthorized changes to system configurations, or the use of unapproved devices.
Key Actions:
- Monitor user behavior and flag unusual activities, such as accessing sensitive data outside of regular work hours or attempting to bypass security controls.
- Leverage AI and machine learning to establish baseline behavior patterns and detect deviations from these norms.
2. Network Traffic Monitoring and Flow Analysis
Continuous monitoring of network traffic is crucial to detect suspicious activities. Unusual data transfers, communication with unauthorized external IP addresses, or the use of non-standard communication protocols can be indicative of data exfiltration or system manipulation.
Key Actions:
- Implement network monitoring tools to track inbound and outbound traffic, especially for OT systems connected to IT networks or cloud platforms.
- Use deep packet inspection (DPI) to analyze network flows and detect any anomalies, such as large volumes of data being transferred without authorization.
3. User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA)
UEBA systems analyze the behavior of both users and devices in the OT network to identify potential threats. By establishing what is “normal” for each user or device, UEBA systems can flag deviations that could signal insider activity or compromised accounts.
Key Actions:
- Set up UEBA solutions to track user activity within OT environments and identify any unauthorized access to critical systems or sensitive data.
- Leverage UEBA tools to correlate data across IT and OT systems for a comprehensive view of insider threats.
4. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
EDR tools can provide real-time monitoring of endpoints in OT networks, detecting suspicious activities such as the use of unauthorized devices (e.g., USB drives or portable storage devices) or the installation of malware. EDR systems can also track which users accessed specific files or systems.
Key Actions:
- Deploy EDR solutions to continuously monitor and analyze endpoint behavior within the OT network.
- Implement controls to restrict the use of unauthorized devices and applications that could facilitate data exfiltration or system manipulation.
5. Access Control and Least Privilege
Implementing strict access control measures and enforcing the principle of least privilege (PoLP) is essential in minimizing the risk of insider threats. By limiting access to sensitive data and systems based on job responsibilities, organizations can reduce the potential damage caused by insider threats.
Key Actions:
- Conduct regular access reviews and ensure that employees only have access to the systems and data necessary for their role.
- Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all access to critical OT systems to add an additional layer of security.
6. Audit Trails and Logging
Maintaining comprehensive audit logs of all user activity within OT systems is essential for identifying potential insider threats. Audit logs should track every action, from system access to configuration changes, and be regularly reviewed for suspicious activities.
Key Actions:
- Implement centralized logging and ensure that all OT systems generate detailed logs of user activities.
- Conduct regular reviews of audit logs to identify potential security incidents, such as unauthorized changes to system configurations or data access patterns.
Mitigation Strategies for Insider Threats
While detection is essential, organizations must also implement strategies to prevent insider threats from occurring in the first place. By taking a proactive approach to cybersecurity, organizations can reduce the likelihood of insiders causing harm to OT networks.
- Regular Security Awareness Training: Ensure that employees are educated on cybersecurity best practices, including how to identify phishing attempts, the importance of strong passwords, and safe handling of sensitive data.
- Segment IT and OT Networks: Proper segmentation between IT and OT networks can prevent attackers from easily moving between the two environments if they gain access to the IT side.
- Strengthen Vendor and Contractor Management: Vet contractors and third-party vendors thoroughly, and implement strict access controls to minimize the risk posed by external parties.
- Implement Comprehensive Monitoring Tools: Combine endpoint detection, network monitoring, and behavioral analytics to create a multi-layered security posture that can identify and respond to insider threats quickly.
Conclusion: Protecting OT Systems from Insider Threats in 2025
Insider threats in OT networks present a unique and growing risk in the cybersecurity landscape. As organizations continue to adopt digital technologies, the potential for insiders to exploit their access to critical industrial systems increases. By implementing robust detection strategies, such as behavioral analytics, network traffic monitoring, and user behavior analysis, organizations can identify potential threats before they cause significant damage.
Additionally, proactive measures like access control, regular security training, and network segmentation will help prevent insider threats from emerging in the first place. By adopting a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy that includes both detection and prevention, organizations can better secure their OT systems and reduce the risk of costly and disruptive insider attacks in 2025.