The knowledge of Indicators of Attack/Compromise (IOA/IOC) based on observations from cyber issues elsewhere can be beneficial when consumed in specific elements of the OT network. Here are some areas where the consumption of IOA/IOC information can enhance the security posture of the OT network:

1. OT Endpoint Protection: IOA/IOC information can be used to strengthen the security measures deployed on OT endpoints such as servers, workstations, HMIs (Human Machine Interfaces), and other devices. By incorporating IOA/IOC detection capabilities into endpoint protection solutions, organizations can proactively identify and respond to potential threats targeting these crucial components.

2. Network Monitoring and Intrusion Detection: IOA/IOC information can be consumed by network monitoring and intrusion detection systems within the OT network. By configuring these systems to detect known IOAs/IOCs, organizations can quickly identify suspicious activities or anomalous behavior that may indicate an ongoing attack or compromise. This enables rapid response and containment actions to minimize the impact of any potential security incidents.

3. Log and Event Management: Incorporating IOA/IOC information into centralized log and event management systems allows organizations to analyze and correlate security events across the OT network. This helps in identifying patterns, detecting indicators of compromise, and generating alerts or notifications for suspicious activities in real-time. It enables security teams to proactively investigate and respond to potential threats.

4. Anomaly Detection and Behavior Analytics: IOA/IOC information can be utilized in anomaly detection and behavior analytics solutions within the OT environment. By comparing the observed behaviors against known IOAs/IOCs, these tools can identify deviations from normal operations and raise alerts when potentially suspicious activities occur. This helps in detecting and mitigating insider threats, unauthorized access attempts, or other malicious activities that may indicate a compromise.

Regarding the use of threat intelligence (TI) in active queries in OT security operations, it can be highly valuable. Active queries involve proactively searching for IOCs or related threat intelligence within the OT network to identify potential compromises. This can be done by using TI to search for specific indicators, malicious IP addresses, URLs, file hashes, or patterns associated with known attacks in the OT network.

By leveraging TI in active queries, organizations can constantly monitor their OT systems for signs of compromise, without solely relying on retrospective analysis. This approach helps in timely detection and response to emerging threats, zero-day attacks, or threats specific to the OT environment. It complements other security measures and provides proactive visibility into potential threats that may not yet have been officially identified.

In summary, consuming IOA/IOC information in elements such as OT endpoint protection, network monitoring, log management, anomaly detection, and behavior analytics can enhance the security posture of the OT network. Additionally, using threat intelligence in active queries enables proactive monitoring and detection of potential threats, contributing to more effective OT security operations.