Cybersecurity Assessment
We evaluate your security posture, identify critical gaps, and deliver actionable roadmaps that turn unknown risks into prioritized improvements.
You Cannot Secure What You Cannot See
Your production environment has evolved over decades. Controllers added, networks extended, remote access granted, cloud connections established. But do you actually know your current security posture? Without a proper assessment, you're managing by assumption rather than evidence.
Unknown Exposures Create Unmanageable Risk
Most industrial organizations lack visibility into their actual OT security posture. You know you have legacy systems, vendor remote access, and interconnected networks – but the specific weaknesses, their severity, and their business impact remain unclear.
Hidden attack surface and unmanaged access points. Remote vendor connections established years ago and never documented. VPN tunnels created for troubleshooting and left active. USB ports on HMIs. Wireless access points in the plant. Jump hosts with shared credentials. Which ones actually exist, and which create the highest risk?
Legacy systems without security capabilities. Your PLCs from 2005 don't support authentication. Your SCADA system can't log access attempts. Your HMIs use hardcoded passwords. These limitations are known in principle, but their collective risk to business operations isn't quantified or prioritized.
Compliance requirements without clarity. NIS2 mandates "appropriate technical measures." IEC 62443 requires documented security levels. KRITIS demands "state of the art" protection. Without assessment, compliance becomes guesswork rather than demonstrable evidence.
No foundation for strategic security programs. Security strategy requires understanding where you are today before defining where you need to be. Without baseline assessment, improvement programs lack direction, investment priorities become arbitrary, and you cannot measure progress toward your security objectives.
The result: Security initiatives without strategic foundation. Budgets spent on solutions that don't address your highest risks. Compliance audits revealing gaps you didn't know existed. Production incidents from vulnerabilities that could have been identified and mitigated.
Comprehensive OT Security Assessment That Delivers Actionable Intelligence
BxC conducts cybersecurity assessments specifically designed for industrial environments. We evaluate your security posture across technical controls, organizational processes, and operational constraints – then translate findings into prioritized roadmaps that your teams can actually implement.
IT/OT convergence expertise
Our assessments bridge the gap between IT security frameworks and OT operational realities. We evaluate network segmentation, access controls, and monitoring with full understanding of production constraints – 24/7 availability requirements, deterministic control needs, safety-critical systems, legacy equipment limitations.
Engineering-level dialogue
Our consultants interact at eye level with plant engineers and automation specialists. We understand PLCs, SCADA architectures, industrial protocols, and operational technology. This enables realistic risk evaluation based on your specific environment, not theoretical vulnerabilities that ignore operational context.
Lean, tool-based methodology
We use structured questionnaires, targeted interviews, and on-site observation to gather comprehensive data without overwhelming your teams. Assessment frameworks are pre-defined and proven, reducing the time burden on local engineering while ensuring complete coverage.
Flexible delivery models
On-site assessment when hands-on evaluation is required. Remote assessment when travel restrictions or resource constraints apply. Hybrid approach combining questionnaire-based data collection with targeted on-site validation.
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Standards-driven methodology
Our assessments evaluate maturity against IEC 62443, ISO 27001, NIST CSF, and industry-specific standards (NIS2, CRA, sector regulations). This ensures your improvement roadmap addresses both generic best practices and specific compliance requirements.
Three Phases from Current State to Clear Action Plan
1. Assessment Preparation Phase
We define assessment scope, select relevant controls, identify stakeholders, and collect preliminary information: site-specific requirements, existing documentation, key operational constraints, critical systems, availability constraints, and compliance requirements. This ensures efficient on-site time and targeted data collection.
2. Assessment Execution Phase
We gather site-specific information through structured questionnaires, stakeholder interviews with IT, OT, and management teams, on-site observation and validation, technical reviews of network architecture and security controls, and documentation review. Our approach is adaptable: fully on-site, fully remote, or hybrid.
3. Analysis and Reporting Phase
We analyze data against industry frameworks (IEC 62443, NIST CSF), identify gaps with severity ratings, assess compliance, and develop prioritized roadmaps. Final report includes: executive summary for management, technical findings for IT/OT teams, compliance gap analysis for audit purposes. Assessment findings cover people, processes, and technology dimensions.
Turning Unknown Risk into Managed Improvement Programs
A major global media and publishing organization needed to assess security across multiple printing plants operating 24/7 – without disrupting operations or overwhelming local teams with limited security expertise.
BxC implemented a hybrid approach: pre-assessment questionnaires sent to local teams with sufficient lead time, targeted on-site visits where responses indicated gaps, structured interviews with plant managers and automation engineers.
The assessment revealed critical findings: undocumented remote vendor access creating uncontrolled entry paths, flat network architecture enabling lateral movement, and gaps in incident response capabilities.
The deliverable was a prioritized roadmap addressing immediate risks and long-term architecture improvements. The organization established an OT security improvement program, implementing changes in phases aligned with production schedules.
This is how assessment creates value: not through abstract recommendations, but through specific, prioritized actions grounded in your operational reality.
Assessment Outcomes That Drive Security Program Success
Assessment provides the visibility you need to make informed decisions. You know your actual attack surface – not assumptions, but documented inventory of systems, connections, and vulnerabilities. Unknown risk becomes documented, prioritized, and manageable.
Assessment identifies where security controls deliver the greatest risk reduction for your specific environment. Not vendor-driven priorities, but risk-based roadmaps that address your critical gaps first. Limited budgets go to improvements that actually protect business operations.
Assessment against IEC 62443, NIS2, KRITIS provides documented compliance status. You know where you meet requirements and where gaps exist. Regulators want evidence of "appropriate measures" – assessment provides that evidence.
Flat networks become increasingly difficult to secure as you add connected devices, cloud integrations, and IIoT sensors. Segmented architecture provides the foundation for safe digital transformation. New technologies can be integrated into appropriate zones with defined security controls rather than creating uncontrolled connections across flat networks.
You cannot build security architecture, implement controls, or establish processes without understanding current state. Assessment provides the baseline for multi-year security programs. Strategic security initiatives – network segmentation, identity management, monitoring, incident response – all depend on accurate current-state understanding.
Assessment isn't just documentation – it's the decision-making intelligence that enables effective security investment.
Concrete Deliverables Drive Action
Comprehensive Assessment Report
Executive summary for management with key findings and investment priorities. Detailed technical findings for IT/OT teams with specific vulnerabilities and control gaps. Compliance gap analysis mapped to applicable standards.
Prioritized Improvement Roadmap
Recommendations organized by priority and implementation complexity. Not abstract recommendations, but actionable next steps with realistic timelines.
Security Maturity Baseline
Documented current-state maturity providing baseline for measuring improvement over time and tracking security program progress.
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Executive Briefing
Presentation and discussion of findings with your leadership team to clarify priorities, discuss resource requirements, and align on next steps.
Assessment identifies priorities – implementation delivers results. Consider:
- Cybersecurity Architecture Advisory for strategic program planning
- Implementation Coordination for large-scale remediation programs
- OT Network Architecture for segmentation and network security gaps
- PKI Consulting for certificate management and identity issues
- Privileged Access Management for administrative access control gaps
Industries and Scenarios Where Assessment Delivers Maximum Value
- Pharmaceutical & Biotech: GMP compliance, FDA 21 CFR Part 11, batch integrity, electronic records, product quality systems.
- Chemical Manufacturing: Safety-critical process control, CFATS compliance, hazardous material handling, SIS evaluation.
- Energy & Utilities: Power generation and distribution, renewable energy control, NERC CIP compliance, SCADA network evaluation.
- Discrete Manufacturing: Production line automation, robotics, quality systems, Industry 4.0 security, IIoT deployments.
You need our cybersecurity assessment if: You lack comprehensive understanding of your current OT security posture | You face NIS2, IEC 62443, or KRITIS compliance requirements | You're planning security investments but don't know where to prioritize | You've experienced security incidents or near-misses | You're undergoing digital transformation or Industry 4.0 initiatives
Not sure if assessment
is the right starting point?
Contact us for an initial discussion about your security challenges and objectives.
From Initial Discussion to Actionable Roadmap
Understanding what a cybersecurity assessment involves helps you plan resources, set expectations, and prepare your teams.
- Initial scoping: 1-2 weeks: We discuss your environment, objectives, compliance requirements, and assessment scope. You receive detailed proposal with scope, methodology, timeline, and investment.
- Assessment execution: 1-3 weeks: Preparation phase (1 week), assessment phase (1-2 weeks), initial findings discussion to validate observations.
- Analysis and reporting: 2-3 weeks: Data analysis, risk evaluation, compliance gap analysis, roadmap development. Draft report review and final delivery with executive briefing.
- Who needs to be involved: OT teams, IT/network teams, security organization, compliance/audit teams, management for kickoff and briefing. Typical commitment: 20-40 hours spread across stakeholders. BxC manages coordination to minimize disruption.
- What happens after assessment: You own the assessment report and roadmap – yours to implement internally or with partners of your choice. Many clients engage BxC for implementation support based on findings, but there's no obligation.
Assessment Methodology Grounded in Industry Frameworks
BxC's assessment methodology is based on internationally recognized standards and adapted to operational technology environments:
Architecture & Standards
IEC 62443 – International standard for industrial automation and control systems security. Our assessments evaluate maturity against IEC 62443-2-1 (program requirements), 62443-3-3 (system security requirements), and 62443-4-2 (component requirements).
ISO 27001 – Assessment against information security management system standards, supporting certification preparation or maturity evaluation.
NIST Cybersecurity Framework – Assessment can be structured around NIST CSF v2.0 functions (Govern, Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, Recover) when clients prefer NIST alignment.
Defense in Depth – Evaluation of layered security controls across network, system, and application layers.
Zero Trust Principles – Assessment of identity verification, least privilege access, and continuous validation where applicable to OT environments.
Compliance & Regulations
NIS2 Directive – EU cybersecurity regulation for essential and important entities. Our assessments evaluate NIS2-required measures: risk management, incident handling, business continuity, supply chain security, network security, and access controls. We identify entity-specific gaps.
KRITIS – German critical infrastructure regulations (BSI Kritisverordnung, IT-Sicherheitsgesetz). Assessment evaluates compliance with sector-specific minimum standards and "state of the art" security requirements.
IEC 62443 Certification Preparation – For organizations pursuing IEC 62443 certification, our assessments identify gaps against certification requirements and provide roadmap for achieving target security levels.
Industry-Specific Regulations – Pharmaceutical (FDA 21 CFR Part 11, EU GMP Annex 11, GAMP 5), Chemical (CFATS), Energy (ISO/IEC 27019, IT-Sicherheitskatalog per EnWG § 11(1b)), Healthcare (HIPAA). Adapted to sector requirements.
Audit Readiness – Assessment documentation supports regulatory audits, insurance reviews, and security questionnaires. Deliverables include control evidence, gap analysis with remediation plans, and compliance mapping.
Pragmatic approach for brownfield environments
We assess security posture realistically – considering legacy equipment limitations, operational constraints, resource availability, and capital planning cycles. Assessment identifies what's achievable given your specific environment.
OT Security Specialists Who Understand Industrial Operations
- Two decades of OT security expertise. We specialize in operational technology and industrial cybersecurity. Our assessors have engineering backgrounds and speak the language of automation engineers and plant managers.
- Dual IT/OT backgrounds. Our team combines IT security and automation engineering expertise. We speak the language of IT professionals and plant engineers, enabling effective stakeholder communication across both.
- Lean, efficient methodology. Our tool-based assessment framework gathers comprehensive data without overwhelming your teams, minimizing disruption to operations. Assessments are thorough but pragmatic – focused on actionable findings.
- IT/OT convergence specialists. BxC bridges the gap between IT security frameworks and OT operational realities, evaluating security controls with full understanding of production constraints. We don't recommend textbook solutions impossible to implement in brownfield environments.
- Independent consulting. We're not tied to specific technology vendors. Our recommendations are based on your requirements and environment, not vendor partnerships. You receive objective analysis and vendor-neutral guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions? We’ve got answers. Here are some common queries about Cybersecurity Assessment.
OT environments prioritize availability and safety over confidentiality, operate with legacy equipment lacking modern security capabilities, use specialized protocols, and cannot tolerate intrusive testing approaches common in IT. BxC brings specialized OT expertise and assessment methodology designed for industrial environments.
Properly conducted OT assessment minimizes operational impact. We schedule activities during normal business hours, avoid intrusive testing that could affect production systems, and use observation and documentation review rather than active scanning.
Lack of documentation is common and doesn't prevent effective assessment. We gather information through interviews, observation, and system review even when formal documentation doesn't exist. One assessment outcome is often creating the baseline documentation you lacked.
Assessment is broader and less intrusive. Penetration testing actively attempts to exploit vulnerabilities (often inappropriate for production OT). Vulnerability scanning probes systems for known weaknesses (risky for legacy controllers). Assessment evaluates security posture through documentation review, configuration analysis, interviews, and observation – identifying gaps without active testing.
Investment depends on assessment scope, site complexity, number of stakeholders, compliance frameworks, and delivery model. After initial discussion, we provide detailed proposal with scope, deliverables, timeline, and fixed-price investment.
No obligation. Assessment report and roadmap are yours to implement however you choose – with internal teams, other consultants, or with BxC support. Many clients engage us for implementation based on findings, but that's your decision. Assessment stands alone as decision-making intelligence.