Risk often drops fastest by tightening remote access, improving segmentation, and controlling pathways to engineering and administrative functions.
In many SCADA environments, the highest-risk exposure comes from connectivity rather than sophisticated malware. If remote access is broadly permitted, flat networks allow lateral movement, or engineering systems are reachable from less trusted zones, attackers can reach control assets through predictable paths.
Fast reductions typically come from access pathway control: stricter authentication and session controls for remote access, segmentation that limits reachability, and explicit governance for vendor connectivity. These changes reduce the blast radius and make unauthorized movement harder even when legacy endpoints cannot be quickly changed.
Equally important is making the architecture understandable: documenting zones, conduits, and allowed flows so that security and operations can maintain the design over time rather than relying on informal tribal knowledge.
If you can't clearly state which systems are allowed to talk to which, you don't have an enforceable architecture. Tighten the pathways first, then invest in deeper control layers.
“In SCADA, controlling pathways often matters more than adding tools.”
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AZ-700 covers designing, implementing, and operating Azure networking solutions. It includes virtual networks, hybrid connectivity, routing, load balancing, network security, private access, and monitoring.
Scope the program around critical functions, the most exposed access paths, and the changes that are safe to implement within OT operational constraints.
ISO/IEC 27033 addresses inconsistent and ad hoc network security design by providing structured guidance for secure communications and network architecture.
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