Federal OT cybersecurity could gain consistent, enforceable security rules for the equipment that controls critical infrastructure, but the proposed baseline also needs to cover the physical devices operating those systems. The Operational Technology Cybersecurity Coalition wants CISA to create a binding directive for federal agencies, while Control Global has identified a significant gap in the coalition’s white paper.
The coalition’s proposal follows cyberattacks on hundreds of water systems in at least 12 US states and a government watchdog finding that only 7 of 22 reviewed civilian agencies had fully met White House requirements to inventory networked operational technology and Internet of Things devices. The inventories were due in September 2024.
What mandatory federal OT rules would cover
The Operational Technology Cybersecurity Coalition released an 8-page white paper asking CISA to establish a binding operational directive for operational technology. OT includes the hardware and software used to monitor and control physical equipment in critical infrastructure.
The proposed baseline has six elements:
- Visibility into OT assets
- Network segmentation
- Enforceable remote access controls
- Configuration baselines
- Incident preparedness
- Verified backup and recovery
CISA should also require agencies to designate a senior official or unified office responsible for OT asset inventories, configuration baselines and incident preparation. Backup and recovery plans should accompany risk reports.
Why the coalition wants enforceable requirements
Federal civilian agencies manage OT systems separately, which leaves CISA without a complete view of their security posture. The coalition says voluntary measures have not closed the gap. A binding directive would give agencies a consistent baseline and allow CISA to measure compliance across the federal civilian executive branch.
CISA has issued other binding operational directives after voluntary measures proved insufficient. The coalition also notes that private and local organizations are not required to implement federal directives, but the proposed rules indicate which security practices the government considers important.
Artificial intelligence has made sophisticated attacks easier to carry out and increased the risk to OT systems.
Where control-system equipment is missing
The proposed white paper focuses heavily on network security, according to Control Global. Its critique identifies pumps, valves, motors, turbines, condensers, protective relays, transformers, process sensors and actuators as parts of critical infrastructure that also require protection.
Control Global states: Despite their direct impact on the safety, reliability and operation of critical infrastructure, control system field devices and equipment are not addressed in the OTCC whitepaper.
The publication says many field devices lack authentication, measurement integrity validation, security logging and cyber forensics, so network controls alone may not protect them adequately.
Skipping those devices can cause equipment damage and unsafe operating conditions.
Why clear ownership matters
OT can fall between the Chief Information Officer’s office and facilities management. In many facilities, chillers, badge readers and power systems belong to a facilities team, while the network belongs to the CIO. Without a named owner, inventory, segmentation, remote access and other controls may not receive consistent attention.
Clear ownership also establishes how teams resolve priorities and resource constraints before an incident occurs. The practical recommendation is to name an accountable official and concentrate first on basic measures such as changing default passwords and separating OT systems from other network segments.
What this means for a small-business IT setup
Consider how building controls, physical access systems, industrial equipment and connected devices are managed across internal teams and service providers. Review how ownership and inventory are handled where those responsibilities are divided.
Inventory connected operational and IoT devices, identify which accounts can reach them, separate them from ordinary business networks, document configuration standards, prepare an incident plan and test recovery procedures. The physical systems also need to remain part of that review because network segmentation alone does not protect every field device.
What to do now
- Create an inventory of operational technology, IoT devices, building controls and the service providers or internal teams responsible for them.
- Document configuration baselines and make sure changes to operational systems are tracked.
- Include OT and IoT assets in incident response, backup and recovery testing rather than treating them as separate from the business network.
FAQ
What is a binding operational directive for federal OT?
A binding operational directive is an enforceable instruction CISA issues to federal civilian agencies. The proposed OT directive would establish requirements for asset inventory, network segmentation, remote access, configuration, incident preparedness and backup and recovery across the federal civilian executive branch.
Why are experts asking CISA for an OT directive?
The request follows cyberattacks on hundreds of water systems in at least 12 US states and a government watchdog finding that only 7 of 22 reviewed civilian agencies had fully met requirements to inventory networked OT and IoT devices. The coalition argues that voluntary measures have not closed the gap.
What would change under a federal OT directive?
Agencies would need to designate an accountable official, complete asset inventories, segment OT networks, enforce remote access controls, apply configuration baselines, prepare for incidents and maintain verified backup and recovery plans. CISA would gain visibility into compliance across the federal civilian government.
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