Cyber Exposure Management at Scale Is the Key to Securing Cyber Physical Systems

Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) are facing an unprecedented wave of cyber threats, and it’s not difficult to see why. OT systems, which run critical infrastructure for industries like energy, manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation, have become prime targets for cybercriminals, state-sponsored hackers, and even opportunistic threat actors. With maximum effect, a huge payoff, and minimal resources required to wreak havoc, the allure of targeting OT systems is growing stronger. These incidents are notoriously difficult to detect, which can leave organizations struggling to identify and subsequently contain the damage.

The need for advanced cyber exposure management for CPS has never been more urgent.

The Expanding OT Attack Surface

Traditionally, OT security has focused on industrial control systems (ICS) like programmable logic controllers (PLCs). While these remain critical, the modern OT environment is far more complex. IoT devices, such as sensors and smart cameras, are deeply integrated into operational workflows. These devices, alongside traditional IT assets like servers and workstations, create an interdependent web of technology that is ripe for exploitation.

The problem? These devices often fall outside the scope of traditional OT security solutions. People are leveraging these gaps to infiltrate environments. A comprehensive approach to OT security must encompass all assets—from legacy ICS equipment to modern IoT devices and IT systems—to provide holistic protection.

Challenges in OT Security

Securing OT environments isn’t as simple as deploying a firewall or endpoint protection software. These systems present unique challenges:

1. Legacy Systems – Many OT environments rely on decades-old technology that was never designed with security in mind. Patching is often impossible, leaving vulnerabilities permanently exposed.
2. IT/OT Convergence – As OT systems become connected to IT networks, the attack surface expands exponentially. While IT systems can be secured with traditional tools, OT systems require specialized solutions that account for their operational constraints.
3. Operational Conflicts – In OT, operational resiliency is paramount. Security measures that interfere with operations or require lengthy maintenance windows are simply not an option.

A New Era in OT Security: Cyber Exposure Management

By integrating Armis Centrix™ with the NVIDIA BlueField-3 DPU and, in the future, the NVIDIA Morpheus AI cybersecurity framework, we’re reimagining cyber exposure management for OT and Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS). This innovative approach brings exceptional capabilities to secure the most challenging environments.

Key Features of Armis Centrix™ on NVIDIA BlueField-3 DPU

• Asset Discovery – Provides real-time visibility into every asset, from legacy OT equipment to IoT and IT systems.
• Threat Detection – Identifies anomalies, policy violations and malicious activity before they can cause damage.
• Deep Packet Inspection – Analyzes network traffic to uncover hidden threats.
• AI-Powered Early Warning Insights – Will leverage machine learning and generative AI with NVIDIA Morpheus in the future to predict and preempt potential threats.
• Vulnerability Prioritization – Prioritizes to ensure that the threats and vulnerabilities most critical to the business are addressed first.
• Dynamic Network Mapping – Creates a live map of your network, highlighting vulnerabilities and threat paths.

These capabilities operate within a secure, isolated environment on NVIDIA BlueField-3 DPUs, seamlessly integrated into every node.

This means that detection and protection occur at both the network and host levels without impacting the performance of critical systems. Unlike traditional solutions, this approach does not require architectural revamps nor does it “steal clock cycles” from operational processes, preserving the continuity that OT systems demand.

The Benefits of This Revolutionary Approach

With Armis Centrix™ on NVIDIA BlueField-3 DPU, organizations can achieve:

• Enhanced Visibility – Gain a complete understanding of your OT environment in real time.
• Comprehensive Protection – Protect assets, whether they’re legacy ICS, IoT, or IT.
• Operational Continuity – Ensure that security measures do not disrupt critical processes.
• Seamless Deployment – Deploy a self-contained system that integrates smoothly into existing operations.

The Future of OT Security Is Here

In a world where OT systems are under constant threat, the combination of Armis’ unmatched security expertise with the NVIDIA cybersecurity AI platform helps provide the ideal defense. It’s not just about responding to threats—it’s about staying ahead of them. With cyber exposure management and security at the forefront, we are redefining what’s possible in OT security.

Learn more about Armis’ integration with the NVIDIA cybersecurity AI platform here.