Why Host Data Is the Next Frontier in OT Cybersecurity

For years, operational technology (OT) cybersecurity has been treated as a network problem. If you could see the traffic, the thinking went, you could stop the threats. 

That model made sense when plants and grids were relatively isolated, but the world has changed. OT networks are now deeply connected to IT, cloud services, and remote operations. Attackers have taken notice, and they know how to exploit the blind spots defenders still leave open. 

The most dangerous of those blind spots? Host data. 

Host Data: The Missing Half of the Story 

Network monitoring is essential, but it only shows you what moves between devices. It’s like watching security cameras in the hallways of a facility. You know when someone walks into a room, but you have no idea what they do once inside. 

Host data is what happens inside the room—the configuration of your PLCs, the logic running your pumps and turbines, the firmware keeping your HMIs stable, and the logs showing exactly who accessed what and when. It’s the microscope focused on your most critical machines. 

Ignore host data, and you’re essentially guarding the gates while leaving the control room unattended. 

Why the Blind Spot Is a Critical Vulnerability 

Attackers know how to exploit this gap. They can: 

• Upload a “routine” project file that subtly alters safety thresholds. 

• Change setpoints in a chemical process without raising a network alarm. 

• Slip malicious payloads into communications that look legitimate on the wire. 

From a network-only perspective, everything appears normal. The right protocol, the right devices, the right communication patterns. Meanwhile, the logic inside a PLC has been quietly compromised. 

That’s why the blind spot isn’t just an oversight, it’s an open invitation. And when the consequences can include outages, environmental harm, or safety risks, it’s a vulnerability no utility can afford to ignore. 

Read the full article here: https://insanecyber.com/ot-host-data-blind-spot-cybersecurity/

See the full Picture with Host & Network Data

Ready to See Your Host & Network Data in One Pane of Glass?

Valkyrie is the security automation platform that offers utilities a single pane of glass into device-level host and network activity, with the ability to detect anomalies, flag unauthorized communications, and provide compliance-ready reporting for regulators. 

Key capabilities include: 

Continuous monitoring and deep protocol inspection across industrial networks. 

• Behavioral baselining to quickly surface suspicious deviations. 

• Audit-ready evidence generation for regulatory reporting. 

• Customizable alerting and integration with existing SOC workflows. 

Watch a pre-recorded demo here. Or schedule time with our team for a more in-depth demo and learn more about our entire portfolio of capabilities.