Building and Maintaining Operational Technology Resilience: A Critical Imperative
Guest blog by Vivek Valmiki, Senior Account Director UK/I at C2 Risk #techUKOTSecurity
Vivek Valmiki
Senior Account Director UK/I, C2 Risk
Digital and physical operations are becoming more blurred in today's environment. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the realm of Operational Technology (OT), the backbone of critical infrastructure and industrial sectors. As cyber attacks on OT systems rise at an unprecedented rate, the stakes for resilience have never been higher. The consequences of a successful attack can be catastrophic, ranging from operational outages and financial loss to threats to public safety and national security.
Escalating Cyber Threats in Operational Technology Environments
Recent years have seen a dramatic surge in cyber threats targeting OT environments. According to industry reports, nearly a third of organisations experienced six or more OT security intrusions in the past year alone with a sharp increase from previous years. These attacks are not just growing in frequency, but also in sophistication and impact. Ransomware incidents in the industrial sector, for example, spiked by 87% year-on-year in 2024, making manufacturing the top target for ransomware for four consecutive years.
Why Operational Technology Systems Are Uniquely Vulnerable to Cyberattack
Unlike modern IT, OT systems prioritise uptime over security, often lacking encryption and patching, making them vulnerable as digitisation expands. The risks are not theoretical. Successful OT cyber attacks have resulted in:
- Operational outages halt production lines or disrupt essential services like electricity and water.
Building Cyber Resilience: Best Practices
As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, building and maintaining OT resilience is not optional, it is essential. Here are key best practices for organisations seeking to protect their OT environments:
Start by mapping OT assets, assessing risks using NIST or ISA/IEC frameworks, prioritising actions. Involve engineering, IT, and leadership stakeholders.
2. Network Segmentation and Secure Architecture
Segment OT networks from IT, using firewalls, demilitarised zones (DMZs), and industrial intrusion detection to contain threats and limit breach impact.
3. Regular Updates and Patch Management
Regularly update OT systems; for unpatchable legacy devices, implement compensating controls like network isolation to reduce vulnerability exposure.
4. Secure Remote Access
Secure remote access with strong authentication, encryption, and strict controls. Continuously monitor and log all remote activity for suspicious behaviour.
Deploy industrial IDS to monitor OT network traffic, detect anomalies in real-time, and regularly test incident response plans for OT scenarios.
6. Employee Training and Awareness
Regularly train staff on OT security best practices and how to recognise potential threats.
The Role of Risk Management Technology
Given the complexity and dynamic nature of OT environments, manual approaches to risk management are no longer sufficient. This is where advanced risk platforms come into play.
This advanced technology enables organisations to:
- See and understand all OT risks and vulnerabilities
- Monitor for new threats and compliance issues in real time
- Apply consistent security standards and meet regulations
- Improve teamwork between IT, OT, and partners
- Automate risk reports and incident response for faster decisions
Using these tools, organisations gain holistic OT security visibility, prioritise investments, respond quickly to incidents, and ensure operational resilience.
Proactive Strategies for Operational Technology Resilience
In summary, operational technology faces evolving cyber threats, demanding continuous resilience efforts.
Vigilance, collaboration, and strong technology partnerships are essential.
For industrial and critical infrastructure organisations, proactive OT cyber resilience is vital not just for compliance but to protect public safety, business continuity, and national security.
To learn how C2 Risk can help you build robust OT resilience, visit c2risk.com.
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Meet the team
Jill Broom
Head of Cyber Resilience, techUK
Jill leads the techUK Cyber Resilience programme, having originally joined techUK in October 2020 as a Programme Manager for the Cyber and Central Government programmes. She is responsible for managing techUK's work across the cyber security ecosystem, bringing industry together with key stakeholders across the public and private sectors. Jill also provides the industry secretariat for the Cyber Growth Partnership, the industry and government conduit for supporting the growth of the sector. A key focus of her work is to strengthen the public–private partnership across cyber to support further development of UK cyber security and resilience policy.
Before joining techUK, Jill worked as a Senior Caseworker for an MP, advocating for local communities, businesses and individuals, so she is particularly committed to techUK’s vision of harnessing the power of technology to improve people’s lives. Jill is also an experienced editorial professional and has delivered copyediting and writing services for public-body and SME clients as well as publishers.
- Email:
- jill.broom@techuk.org
- Website:
- www.techuk.org/
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-broom-19aa824
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Annie Collings
Programme Manager, Cyber Resilience, techUK
Annie is the Programme Manager for Cyber Resilience at techUK. She first joined as the Programme Manager for Cyber Security and Central Government in September 2023.
In her role, Annie supports the Cyber Security SME Forum, engaging regularly with key government and industry stakeholders to advance the growth and development of SMEs in the cyber sector. Annie also coordinates events, engages with policy makers and represents techUK at a number of cyber security events.
Before joining techUK, Annie was an Account Manager at a specialist healthcare agency, where she provided public affairs support to a wide range of medical technology clients. She also gained experience as an intern in both an MP’s constituency office and with the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed. Annie holds a degree in International Relations from Nottingham Trent University.
- Email:
- annie.collings@techuk.org
- Twitter:
- anniecollings24
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-collings-270150158/
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Francesca Richiusa
Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Fran serves as the Programme Team Assistant within techUK’s Public Sector Market Programmes, where she is responsible for delivering comprehensive team support, managing administrative functions, and fostering strong relationships with members.
Prior to joining techUK in May 2025, Fran built a meaningful career in the charitable and local government sectors. She worked extensively with both victims and perpetrators of crime, and notably led the coordination of Domestic Homicide Reviews across Surrey—an initiative aimed at identifying lessons and preventing future incidents of domestic abuse.
Outside of work, Fran is an avid traveller and a proud cat mum who enjoys unwinding with her feline companions.
- Email:
- francesca.richiusa@techuk.org
- Website:
- www.techuk.org/
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesca-richiusa/
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Olivia Staples
Junior Programme Manager - Cyber Resilience, techUK
Olivia Staples joined techUK in May 2025 as a Junior Programme Manager in the Cyber Resilience team.
She supports the programs mission to promote cyber resilience by engaging key commercial and government stakeholders to shape the cyber resilience policy towards increased security and industry growth. Olivia assists in member engagement, event facilitation and communications support.
Before joining techUK, Olivia gained experience in research, advocacy, and strategic communications across several international organisations. At the Munich Security Conference, she supported stakeholder engagement and contributed to strategic communications. She also worked closely with local and national government stakeholders in Spain and Italy, where she was involved in policy monitoring and advocacy for both public and private sector clients.
Olivia holds an MSc in Political Science (Comparative Politics and Conflict Studies) from the London School of Economics (LSE) and a BA in Spanish and Latin American Studies from University College London (UCL).
Outside of tech, Olivia enjoys volunteering with local charities and learning Norwegian.
- Email:
- olivia.staples@techuk.org
- Website:
- www.techuk.org/
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-staples-85119117a/
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Tracy Modha
Programme Marketing Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Tracy supports the marketing of several areas at techUK, including Cyber Exchange, Central Government, Cyber Resilience, Defence, Education, Health and Social Care, Justice and Emergency Services, Local Public Services, Nations and Regions and National Security.
Tracy joined techUK in March 2022, having worked in the education sector for 19 years, covering administration, research project support, IT support and event/training support. My most outstanding achievement has been running three very successful international conferences and over 300 training courses booked all over the globe!
Tracy has a great interest in tech. Gaming and computing have been a big part of her life, and now electric cars are an exciting look at the future. She has warmed to Alexa, even though it can sometimes be sassy!
- Email:
- tracy.modha@techuk.org
- Phone:
- 02073312000
- Website:
- www.techuk.org
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracymodha83
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