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OT Penetration Testing
Operational Technology (OT) environments — including Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems and industrial control systems — differ fundamentally from traditional IT. These systems are often autonomous, air gapped, and built on proprietary software stacks that were never designed with modern cyber threats in mind.
As IoT and Industrial IoT (IIoT) technologies continue to converge with legacy OT infrastructure, the once clear boundary between IT and OT has eroded. This interconnected landscape introduces new vectors of cyber risk. Nation state actors and other sophisticated adversaries are increasingly targeting OT systems for espionage, disruption, and operational impact. A successful compromise can lead to severe safety, financial, and reputational consequences.
Canary Trap’s OT penetration testing methodology is engineered specifically for these sensitive, high availability environments. All assessments begin with controlled, non intrusive vulnerability scanning performed in “safe mode,” ensuring system stability throughout the engagement. Our team coordinates closely with your designated technical stakeholders to guarantee that all testing activities are executed safely and without operational disruption.
Our Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your OT security posture, including in scope workstations, Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), communication pathways, and relevant policies and procedures. The resulting Report of Findings provides a prioritized view of vulnerabilities, mapped to risk and potential operational impact, enabling your team to strengthen the resiliency of your critical OT assets with confidence.
Canary Trap combines human expertise with sophisticated tools, proven methodologies and, where appropriate, threat intelligence to ensure a thorough, in-depth approach to security testing and assessments.
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FAQs
What is OT penetration testing?
OT penetration testing is a controlled, adversarial assessment designed to identify vulnerabilities within Operational Technology environments such as SCADA systems, industrial control systems, and PLC driven processes. The goal is to evaluate how resilient these systems are against real world threat actors while ensuring operational safety and continuity.
How is OT penetration testing different from IT penetration testing?
OT environments prioritize safety, uptime, and process integrity, whereas IT environments prioritize data confidentiality and system availability. OT systems often rely on proprietary protocols, legacy hardware, and air gapped architectures that require highly specialized testing methods. As a result, OT testing demands a more cautious, coordinated, and system aware approach.
Is OT penetration testing safe for live production environments?
Yes. Canary Trap performs all OT testing using a “safe mode” methodology designed to avoid operational disruption. All activities are coordinated with your technical stakeholders, and our SMEs use non intrusive techniques to ensure system stability throughout the engagement.
What types of OT assets are typically included in scope?
Assessments can include workstations, HMIs, PLCs, SCADA servers, communication pathways, network segments, and supporting infrastructure. Policies, procedures, and operational workflows may also be reviewed to identify gaps that could be exploited by an adversary.
Why is OT security testing important if my systems are air gapped?
Air gapping is no longer a guarantee of security. The rise of IoT, IIoT, remote access technologies, and IT/OT convergence has introduced new pathways for compromise. Modern adversaries — including nation state actors — actively target OT environments because of the potential operational, safety, and economic impact.
Will the testing disrupt production or impact system performance?
No. Canary Trap’s methodology is specifically engineered to avoid disruption. All testing is planned, communicated, and executed in coordination with your operations team to ensure that assessments are safe, predictable, and non destructive.
What deliverables will we receive?
You will receive a comprehensive Report of Findings that includes:
- A prioritized list of vulnerabilities
- Associated risk ratings and potential operational impact
- Evidence and technical detail for each finding
- Recommendations to strengthen your OT security posture
How long does an OT penetration test take?
Timelines vary based on the size and complexity of the environment, the number of assets in scope, and the level of access required. Most engagements range from several days to multiple weeks, depending on operational constraints and coordination requirements.
Do you test both legacy and modern OT systems?
Yes. Our SMEs have deep experience across legacy industrial control systems, proprietary vendor technologies, and modern IoT/IIoT enabled architectures. This allows us to assess environments that span multiple generations of technology.
How often should OT penetration testing be performed?
Most organizations conduct OT penetration testing annually or after significant changes to their OT environment. Increasing regulatory scrutiny and evolving threat activity often drive more frequent assessments.
