CISA releases Secure Connectivity Principles Checklist for Operational Technology Networks Connectivity
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the United Kingdom's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC-UK) have released guidance on Secure Connectivity Principles for Operational Technology (OT) environments. Published on Fri, Jan 14,…
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the United Kingdom's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC-UK) have released guidance on Secure Connectivity Principles for Operational Technology (OT) environments. Published on Fri, Jan 14, 2026, the framework addresses the need for asset owners to balance network connectivity with security requirements.
As operators of industrial and essential services face increased demands for remote access, data integration, and cloud connectivity, the risk of cyberattacks on operational technology networks rises. The guidance offers a structured approach to managing these demands without compromising security.
This collaboration between CISA and NCSC-UK aims to standardize OT connectivity security across critical infrastructure sectors.
Eight Guiding Principles for Secure OT Connectivity
The framework establishes eight principles to guide asset owners in designing, implementing, and managing secure connectivity in OT environments. These principles are applicable across all critical infrastructure sectors, including energy, water systems, transportation, and healthcare.
Published on Fri, Jan 14, 2026, the framework addresses the need for asset owners to balance network connectivity with security requirements.
Balance risks and opportunities: Document business cases assessing requirements, benefits, impacts, and obsolete product risks. Limit exposure: Use outbound-only connections, just-in-time access, and exposure management for admin interfaces. Centralize and standardize: Consolidate access points for uniform controls; categorize flows as flexible, repeatable. Use secure protocols: Adopt crypto-agile standards like OPC UA; validate schemas at boundaries. Harden boundaries: Apply micro-segmentation, separation of duties, and DMZs to contain lateral movement. Limit compromise impact: Use micro-segmentation, separation of duties, and DMZs to contain lateral movement. Log and monitor all connectivity: Baseline normal activity for anomaly detection; integrate with SOC for break-glass alerts. Establish isolation plans: Develop site-specific strategies with hardware-enforced flows for critical data.
The principles provide flexible guidance adaptable to diverse operational contexts and legacy system constraints. They are particularly significant for operators of essential services facing regulatory scrutiny and operational demands for enhanced connectivity.
By following these principles, organizations can establish a defensible security architecture that meets business requirements and compliance obligations. The framework supports a risk-based approach, enabling operators to assess threats while maintaining necessary operational functionality.
CISA and NCSC-UK recommend that critical infrastructure asset owners review the complete guidance documentation and conduct security assessments aligned with the eight principles. Organizations should evaluate existing OT network architectures against the framework and develop implementation roadmaps suited to their operational contexts.
The complete Secure Connectivity Principles for Operational Technology guidance is available through NCSC-UK's operational technology collection and linked through CISA's cybersecurity best practices portal.
Based on reporting by Cyber Security News.