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10 immediate steps to protect critical infrastructure from cyber threats
With cyberattacks on essential systems rising, this guide outlines the key actions leaders must take now to strengthen resilience and stay ahead of evolving threats.
Service
Cyber Resilience
Industry
Strategy and Transformation
Logistics
As geopolitical tensions rise, critical infrastructure organizations face an unprecedented wave of cyber threats. State-sponsored actors are increasingly targeting essential sectors like energy, water, transportation, and healthcare — putting national resilience and public trust at risk.
To stay ahead of these threats, leaders must take decisive action now. Here are 10 steps every critical infrastructure organization should prioritize:
01.
Implement zero trust architecture
No user or device should be trusted by default. Enforce strict identity verification, granular access controls, and network segmentation across critical systems. Zero trust minimizes lateral movement and limits the blast radius of breaches.
02.
Harden operational technology systems
Segment OT from IT networks, apply patches regularly, and implement continuous monitoring to detect anomalies. Many OT environments still run outdated protocols — securing them is vital to operational continuity.
03.
Align with CISA guidance
Leverage the Shields Up program and related advisories from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to track threats and adopt proven defense tactics. Government intelligence can offer early warning signals you won't see elsewhere.
04.
Enable continuous threat monitoring
Deploy Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools and establish or integrate with a Security Operations Center (SOC). Real-time monitoring is critical to identifying threats early and responding swiftly.
05.
Adopt the NIST cybersecurity framework
Use the NIST framework widely adopted framework from the National Institute of Standards and Technology to assess your posture and prioritize improvements. It offers a structured, risk-based roadmap for resilience.
06.
Conduct regular red team exercises
Simulate sophisticated, real-world attacks to identify blind spots in your defenses. Our guide to red team exercises explains how to turn findings into action.
07.
Secure your supply chain
Evaluate third-party vendors for cyber maturity, enforce contractual security standards, and monitor for indirect risk exposure. Many breaches start with compromised partners.
08.
Invest in insider threat programs
Not all threats come from outside. Use behavioral analytics, access controls, and training to detect and prevent internal risks. Ensure these programs are coordinated with HR, legal, and physical security.
09.
Train employees on cyber hygiene
Humans are your first line of defense. Run phishing simulations, offer tailored training by role, and promote awareness to help employees recognize and report suspicious behavior.
10.
Develop and test your incident response plan
A well-rehearsed plan can mean the difference between swift recovery and costly disruption. Run regular tabletop exercises to validate your playbooks and improve team readiness.
The threats are real — and growing
Proactive defense isn’t just smart strategy; it’s the baseline for resilient operations.
We believe that the way to strengthen your operational resilience is by unifying cybersecurity, physical security, and insider threat management into a single, coordinated approach. From conducting risk-based assessments and improving visibility across systems, to designing zero trust architectures and building secure-by-design infrastructure, we support mission-critical environments where failure isn’t an option.
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Nortal is a strategic innovation and technology company with an unparalleled track-record of delivering successful transformation projects over 20 years.