Industrial Control Systems (ICS) are the backbone of modern industry — powering critical operations in energy, water, oil, gas, manufacturing, and beyond. As these once-isolated systems become increasingly interconnected, they have also become high-profile targets for cyberattacks. Threat actors now infiltrate ICS environments not only to disrupt operations but also to use them as gateways into broader corporate IT networks.
To protect these essential systems, organizations must strengthen identity and access controls. Implementing a Privileged Access Management (PAM) solution is one of the most effective ways to secure ICS environments, reduce attack surfaces, and ensure operational continuity.
Cybercriminals directly infiltrate ICS to cause damage or use them as Trojan horses to gain access to other systems and data within the corporate infrastructure.
The Evolution of ICS
ICS were originally designed to function much like traditional mechanical systems:
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Easy to configure and operate
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Built for longevity — often 10–20 years without major updates
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Completely isolated from corporate IT networks
That isolation once acted as a security buffer. However, with the rise of digital transformation, remote access, and IT/OT convergence, that buffer has vanished. Modern ICS are now connected to enterprise networks, cloud systems, and Industrial IoT (IIoT) devices, creating new pathways for cyber threats.
Many legacy ICS still rely on outdated protocols, hardcoded passwords, or unpatched operating systems. Because these systems were never designed for constant connectivity, cybersecurity was often an afterthought. In some cases, organizations have even tolerated known malware or misconfigurations if operations were unaffected — a risky approach in an era of targeted ransomware and nation-state attacks on critical infrastructure.
Since ICS were originally designed as isolated systems, ensuring security has become an afterthought.
ICS Integration
As technology evolves, organizations are integrating ICS into their main IT architecture to:
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Maximize efficiency and reduce downtime
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Enhance data-driven decision-making
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Optimize maintenance and productivity through real-time analytics
However, these integrations often happen faster than security controls can adapt. Common weaknesses include:
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Default configurations and credentials that remain unchanged after installation
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Remote login portals lacking proper identity verification or access control
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Legacy communication protocols (like Modbus and DNP3) that transmit data without encryption
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Unsecured IoT sensors adding multiple new points of vulnerability
Each new connection increases exposure, and without robust access management, these systems can become easy entry points for attackers.
The integration of ICS into corporate IT infrastructure creates additional vulnerabilities that organizations must make an effort to secure.
ICS Security Challenges
Implementing modern security in ICS environments is uniquely challenging. Many systems run continuously and cannot afford downtime for updates or patching. Pausing operations for maintenance may disrupt production, delay output, or impact safety-critical processes.
At the same time, evolving cybersecurity regulations — such as NIS2, IEC 62443, and ISO/IEC 27019 — now require organizations to demonstrate proactive protection of industrial networks. Balancing availability and security is no longer optional; it’s a compliance and reputational necessity.
ICS Security and PAM
In most successful ICS breaches, attackers gained access through compromised privileged accounts. Privileged credentials grant broad permissions — allowing users (or hackers) to modify configurations, disable security systems, or manipulate operational data.
A Privileged Access Management (PAM) solution provides a structured and centralized way to manage these powerful credentials. It ensures that only verified, authorized users can access critical systems — and only for as long as necessary.
Modern PAM also aligns with Zero Trust principles, ensuring that even trusted identities must continually verify their legitimacy before gaining or maintaining access.
Privileged Access Management (PAM)
A comprehensive PAM solution typically includes three core components:
1. Access Manager
Controls all privileged account access requests through a central interface. It verifies user permissions, grants access only when necessary, and enforces least-privilege principles. Security administrators can easily modify or revoke access rights, reducing the risk of credential misuse.
2. Session Manager
Monitors and records every privileged session, maintaining immutable audit logs for traceability and compliance. Real-time monitoring enables administrators to terminate suspicious sessions instantly, preventing malicious activity before damage occurs.
3. Password Vault/Manager
Stores and rotates privileged credentials in an encrypted vault. This prevents users from knowing root passwords directly and enforces password best practices — such as complexity, rotation frequency, and single-use credentials.
Together, these capabilities deliver visibility, accountability, and control across both IT and OT environments.
PAM provides organizations with complete control and visibility over which users have access to systems and the types of actions they can take.
WALLIX PAM helps organizations secure their ICS environments without interrupting operations. Its agentless, scalable architecture allows rapid deployment across hybrid networks — ensuring minimal downtime and easy integration with existing systems.
With WALLIX PAM, organizations gain:
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Complete visibility with unalterable audit trails for all privileged activity
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Seamless user adoption through an intuitive interface that doesn’t disrupt daily workflows
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Fast, unobtrusive deployment with no agents required on endpoints
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Advanced analytics to detect abnormal user behavior and strengthen compliance
By unifying IT and OT access security, WALLIX PAM supports the shift toward Zero Trust for industrial systems, empowering enterprises to maintain compliance and operational resilience.
