OT & ICS Security Testing Services

Assess OT and ICS environments with a safety-first approach designed to identify security weaknesses while protecting operational continuity and critical industrial processes.

Why OT/ICS Security Testing Is Different

Testing industrial control systems is different from testing a web application or conventional IT environment.

A security assessment in an OT environment must consider operational continuity, system availability, physical processes, safety requirements, legacy technologies, and the potential impact of testing activities.

Industrial environments can include PLCs, SCADA systems, engineering workstations, industrial networks, remote access infrastructure, and specialized communication protocols. Some systems may be sensitive to active testing techniques or may require testing during carefully controlled maintenance windows.

That is why OT/ICS security testing should be based on clearly defined scope, appropriate authorization, operational requirements, and safety considerations.

Where active testing presents unnecessary operational risk, the assessment can emphasize passive analysis, configuration review, architecture review, and other controlled techniques appropriate to the environment.

What’s Covered

Network Segmentation Review

The assessment can evaluate how OT networks are separated from corporate IT environments and other network segments.

Where appropriate, the review can consider network architecture, segmentation controls, access paths, and the boundaries between operational and business environments.

IT/OT Boundary Testing

The connection between corporate IT and operational technology can introduce important security considerations.

Where included in scope, testing can evaluate authorized connections, data flows, remote access paths, and security controls between IT and OT environments.

Remote Access Testing

Remote access can be an important part of industrial security.

Where authorized, the assessment can review relevant VPN infrastructure, remote vendor access, jump servers, authentication controls, and other technologies used to reach OT environments.

Passive and Safety-Scoped Assessment

OT environments may require a different approach from conventional IT security testing.

Where live exploitation could introduce operational risk, the assessment can prioritize passive analysis, configuration review, architecture assessment, and specifically approved testing activities.

The exact approach should be determined according to the systems, operational requirements, and Rules of Engagement.

Corporate IT Testing

Where both IT and OT environments are included in the engagement, corporate network security can also be assessed using techniques appropriate to the authorized scope.

For dedicated infrastructure testing, see our network penetration testing service.

Our OT/ICS Security Testing Process

A structured process helps ensure that security testing remains controlled and aligned with operational requirements.

Scope and Authorization

The engagement begins by identifying the OT and ICS environments, systems, network segments, facilities, testing objectives, and exclusions.

Written authorization and clearly defined Rules of Engagement should be established before testing begins.

Operational and Safety Planning

OT assessments require consideration of production schedules, system criticality, maintenance windows, safety requirements, and communication procedures.

The testing approach should be adapted to minimize unnecessary operational impact.

Architecture and Security Assessment

The assessment team develops an understanding of the authorized environment, including relevant network boundaries, systems, remote access paths, and security controls.

This provides the context needed to determine appropriate testing activities.

Controlled Security Testing

Testing is conducted within the agreed scope using techniques appropriate to the environment.

Where systems are particularly sensitive, passive or lower-impact assessment methods can be prioritized.

Finding Validation

Potential findings are reviewed and validated before being included in the final report.

This helps reduce false positives and provides clearer information about the significance of identified security weaknesses.

Reporting and Remediation

Findings are documented with relevant risk information, affected systems or components, supporting evidence, and practical remediation recommendations.

The reporting approach can distinguish between IT-side and OT-side considerations where appropriate.

Retesting

Where included in the engagement, previously identified findings can be reviewed after remediation.

Retesting can help determine whether relevant security weaknesses have been addressed.

What You Receive

Depending on the agreed scope, deliverables can include:

• OT/ICS security findings
• Network segmentation observations
• IT/OT boundary observations
• Remote access findings
• Affected systems or components
• Severity or risk information
• Supporting evidence
• Operational impact considerations
• Remediation recommendations
• Retesting results where included

The objective is to provide security information that technical, security, and operational teams can understand and use.

Why OT/ICS Security Testing Matters

Industrial environments often combine legacy technology, specialized systems, network infrastructure, remote access, and business connectivity.

A weakness in one part of the environment can create broader security considerations, particularly where IT and OT systems are connected.

An OT/ICS security assessment can help organizations identify areas where security controls, architecture, remote access, or segmentation may require additional attention.

The assessment should balance security objectives with operational continuity and system safety.

Who Needs OT/ICS Security Testing?

OT/ICS security testing can be useful for organizations operating industrial or operational technology environments.

Manufacturing Organizations

Manufacturing environments may rely on industrial networks, automation systems, PLCs, SCADA platforms, and connected production systems.

A controlled assessment can provide an independent view of security risks affecting those environments.

Industrial Facilities

Organizations operating industrial facilities can use security testing to evaluate relevant network architecture, remote access, segmentation, and other controls.

Organizations Connecting IT and OT

Businesses with strong connectivity between enterprise systems and operational environments may benefit from assessing the security boundaries between them.

Organizations With Remote Vendor Access

Third-party and vendor access can introduce additional security considerations.

Testing can help organizations assess the relevant access paths and controls within the authorized scope.

OT/ICS Security Testing vs Traditional Network Testing

OT/ICS security testing and conventional network penetration testing can have different priorities.

Traditional network testing may place greater emphasis on identifying technical weaknesses across conventional IT infrastructure.

OT/ICS testing must also consider operational continuity, system availability, physical processes, safety requirements, and the sensitivity of industrial systems.

For that reason, testing techniques and Rules of Engagement should be adapted to the specific OT environment rather than applying an identical approach to every network.

For organizations that need broader infrastructure assessment, our penetration testing services can provide additional testing options based on the systems and objectives in scope.

Safety and Operational Considerations

OT security testing should be planned with operational teams and appropriate stakeholders.

Before testing begins, the engagement should establish:

• Systems included in scope
• Systems excluded from testing
• Authorized testing activities
• Testing windows
• Communication procedures
• Safety and operational requirements
• Emergency or de-confliction procedures

The objective is to identify security weaknesses without introducing unnecessary risk to production or safety-critical operations.

Why Choose Ethical Hacker Hire?

OT/ICS security testing requires careful planning and an understanding of the differences between operational technology and traditional IT environments.

Our approach emphasizes:

• Written authorization before testing
• Clearly defined scope and Rules of Engagement
• Safety-conscious assessment planning
• IT/OT boundary evaluation
• Segmentation and remote access assessment
• Passive or controlled testing where appropriate
• Finding validation
• Practical security reporting
• Remediation guidance
• Retesting where included

The assessment approach can be adapted to the organization’s infrastructure, operational requirements, security objectives, and testing boundaries.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is OT/ICS Security Testing?

OT/ICS security testing is an authorized assessment designed to identify security weaknesses within operational technology and industrial control environments.

Depending on the scope, it can include network architecture, segmentation, remote access, industrial systems, and other relevant security controls.

Will Testing Disrupt Our Production Line?

The assessment should be planned to minimize unnecessary operational impact.

Testing windows, permitted activities, system exclusions, safeguards, and communication procedures should be agreed before testing begins.

Do You Test PLCs and SCADA Systems Directly?

Direct testing can be considered only when specifically authorized and appropriate for the systems involved.

For sensitive environments, passive analysis, configuration review, and other controlled techniques may be more appropriate than active testing.

Can You Test Our Corporate Network and OT Environment Together?

Yes, where both environments are included in the authorized scope.

Assessing the IT/OT boundary can provide useful information about how security controls operate between business and operational environments.

Do You Test Remote Vendor Access?

Remote vendor access can be assessed when it is included in the agreed scope.

The assessment may consider relevant authentication, remote access infrastructure, and security boundaries.

How Long Does an OT/ICS Assessment Take?

The timeframe depends on the size and complexity of the environment, number of systems and facilities, testing objectives, operational requirements, and scope.

A project timeline should be established during the planning process.

Do You Provide an OT/ICS Security Report?

Yes. Depending on the engagement, reporting can include identified findings, affected systems, risk information, supporting evidence, operational considerations, and remediation recommendations.

Do You Retest After Remediation?

Retesting can be included where agreed as part of the engagement.

The purpose is to determine whether previously identified security weaknesses have been addressed.

Request an OT/ICS Security Assessment

Need to evaluate the security of your operational technology or industrial control environment?

Tell us about your OT/ICS systems, network architecture, remote access requirements, operational constraints, and security objectives.

We can help define an appropriate OT/ICS security testing scope based on your environment and requirements.

Confidential consultation · Authorized security testing · Professional reporting