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Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and Operational Technology (OT) security is critical in protecting critical infrastructure. Here are three fundamental yet often neglected security practices:
1️⃣ Disable Unused Ports & Protocols
Attackers exploit open ports and unnecessary protocols to infiltrate networks. Reducing the attack surface is essential.
You Should Know:
- Linux Command to Check Open Ports:
sudo netstat -tulnp
- Disable Unused Services in Linux:
sudo systemctl disable <service_name> sudo systemctl stop <service_name>
- Windows Command to List Listening Ports:
netstat -ano | findstr LISTENING
- Block Ports in Windows Firewall:
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Block Port 1234" -Direction Inbound -LocalPort 1234 -Protocol TCP -Action Block
2️⃣ Change Default Passwords
Default credentials are a goldmine for attackers. Always replace them with strong, unique passwords.
You Should Know:
- Linux Password Change:
passwd
- Enforce Password Policies in Linux:
Edit `/etc/login.defs` to set `PASS_MAX_DAYS`, `PASS_MIN_DAYS`, and `PASS_WARN_AGE`.
- Windows Password Policy Enforcement:
net accounts /MINPWLEN:12
- Check for Default Credentials on Network Devices:
Use tools like Hydra or Metasploit to test weak passwords (ethical hacking only).
3️⃣ Remove Unnecessary Software
Unused applications increase vulnerabilities. Regular audits help minimize risks.
You Should Know:
- List Installed Packages in Linux:
apt list --installed Debian/Ubuntu yum list installed RHEL/CentOS
- Remove Unnecessary Packages:
sudo apt purge <package_name>
- Windows: List Installed Programs:
Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Select-Object Name, Version
- Uninstall Software via PowerShell:
Get-Package -Name "software" | Uninstall-Package
What Undercode Say
OT/IT security requires continuous vigilance. Beyond these steps:
- Network Segmentation: Isolate OT from IT networks.
- Log Monitoring: Use SIEM tools like Splunk or ELK Stack.
- Patch Management: Regularly update ICS devices.
- Snort for OT Traffic Analysis:
snort -A console -q -c /etc/snort/snort.conf -i eth0
- Nmap for OT Network Scanning:
nmap -sS -Pn -T4 -p- <OT_Device_IP>
- Windows Command for Service Hardening:
sc config <service_name> start= disabled
Expected Output:
A hardened OT/IT environment with minimized attack surfaces, enforced password policies, and reduced unnecessary software exposure.
🔗 Further Reading:
References:
Reported By: Jigargogri 3 – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅
