OT asset management, or Operational Technology asset management, refers to identifying, organizing, and maintaining assets within an operational technology environment. Operational technology refers to the hardware and software systems used in manufacturing, energy, transportation, and infrastructure industries.
Related reading: The big OT asset visibility misconception
OT Asset Management Key Components
1. OT Asset Discovery: First, identify and document all assets in the OT environment. Identification happens through active discovery using OT’s dedicated protocols. OT asset discovery includes physical devices (e.g., industrial machines, sensors, controllers) and software systems (e.g., SCADA systems, industrial control software).
2. OT Asset Inventory: Completed identification results in a contextualized OT asset inventory . It includes detailed information about each OT asset such as asset names, serial numbers, locations, configurations, firmware versions, and other relevant details. An OT asset inventory provides a contextualized view of the OT infrastructure.
3. OT Asset Classification and Criticality: OT assets are classified based on their importance and criticality to operations. This classification helps prioritize OT asset management activities such as maintenance, patching, and security measures. Critical OT assets essential for the operation’s functioning are higher priorities.
4. OT Obsolescence Management: OT asset management involves managing the entire lifecycle of assets, from procurement to retirement and includes asset installation, configuration, monitoring, maintenance, and decommissioning. Effective OT obsolescence management ensures that assets are properly maintained, updated, and replaced when necessary.
5. OT Asset Monitoring and Performance Management: Monitoring OT asset health continuously is crucial to ensure their proper functioning and performance. This may involve collecting and analyzing data from sensors and devices, utilizing predictive maintenance techniques, and implementing condition-based monitoring to detect abnormalities or potential failures.
6. OT Vulnerability Management: OT asset management includes implementing security measures to protect assets from cyber threats and vulnerabilities. This involves securing network connections, applying security patches and updates, managing user access and privileges, and implementing intrusion detection and prevention systems. OT vulnerability management also assesses and mitigates risks associated with asset failures or cybersecurity incidents.
7. Change Management: As operational technology environments evolve, changes to assets, configurations, and software systems may be necessary. Change management processes ensure that any modifications or updates are properly documented, tested, and implemented without causing disruptions to the operations.
8. Documentation and Reporting: Maintain comprehensive documentation throughout the OT asset management process. This includes asset inventories, maintenance records, configuration details, incident reports, and other relevant information. Regular reporting helps track asset status, identify trends, and make informed decisions about asset management and operational improvements.
By following these basic principles, organizations can effectively manage their operational technology assets, ensure their reliability and security, and optimize the performance of their industrial processes.