OT security organization structure, defining R&R and RACI

"Who defines policies? The IT team responds to incidents? The OT team patches ICS devices? Then what about security training?"

For successful OT security management, proper organizational structure within the company is necessary, but most organizations do not have much experience in this area. This post will share best practices for 'Ideal OT Security Organization Structure Based on R&R and RACI'.

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1. Ideal OT Security Organization Structure

An OT Security Organization should be structured to:

• Ensure continuous monitoring and protection of OT environments.
• Establish clear responsibilities for security operations.
• Maintain compliance with industry regulations (e.g., NIST 800-82, IEC 62443, NERC CIP).

Recommended Organizational Structure

1. Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

   • Owns overall IT/OT security strategy.

2. OT Security Manager/Director

   • Leads OT security team and aligns security with operational goals.

3. OT Security Engineers & Analysts

   • Implement security controls, monitor threats, and respond to incidents.

4. Industrial Control System (ICS) Engineers

   • Maintain and secure ICS/SCADA/PLC systems.

5. Network Security Architect (OT Focus)

   • Designs secure network segmentation for OT environments.

6. Incident Response & Threat Intelligence Team

   • Investigates OT-specific security incidents.

7. Compliance & Risk Manager

   • Ensures regulatory compliance (IEC 62443, NERC CIP, ISO 27001).

8. Field Operations & Maintenance Teams

   • Implement physical and cyber security measures on OT assets.

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2. Roles & Responsibilities (R&R) in OT Security

Each team within an OT security organization has specific duties to ensure a strong security posture.

Key Responsibilities by Role

Role	Responsibilities
CISO	- Defines OT security strategy & policies - Aligns security efforts with business objectives - Reports to executive leadership on security risks
OT Security Manager/Director	- Oversees daily OT security operations - Leads security risk assessments & audits - Ensures secure network architecture in OT
OT Security Engineers	- Configure firewalls, IDS/IPS, network monitoring - Deploy endpoint protection & whitelisting - Respond to OT cyber incidents
ICS Engineers (SCADA/PLC Specialists)	- Maintain SCADA, PLC, RTU, HMI security - Ensure secure firmware updates & patches - Implement role-based access control (RBAC)
Network Security Architect (OT Focus)	- Designs OT network segmentation & DMZs - Implements zero-trust architecture for OT - Configures secure VPNs & remote access
Incident Response & Threat Intelligence Team	- Detects & investigates cyber incidents in OT - Deploys forensic tools for ICS security - Conducts red teaming & penetration testing
Compliance & Risk Manager	- Ensures compliance with IEC 62443, NERC CIP - Conducts OT risk assessments & audits - Implements cybersecurity awareness training
Field Operations & Maintenance Teams	- Secure physical access to OT systems - Ensure USB security & media control policies - Conduct patching & configuration hardening

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3. RACI Matrix for OT Security

A RACI matrix helps define who does what in OT security processes.

Key Definitions:

• R (Responsible): Performs the task.

• A (Accountable): Ultimately accountable for completion.

• C (Consulted): Provides input or expertise.

• I (Informed): Needs to be updated on progress.

Example OT Security RACI Matrix

Security Activity	CISO	OT Security Manager	OT Engineers	ICS Engineers	Network Security	Incident Response	Compliance Team	Field Ops
Define OT Security Policies	A	R	C	C	C	C	C	I
Implement OT Network Segmentation	I	A	R	C	R	C	I	I
Monitor OT Network for Threats	I	A	R	C	C	R	I	I
Respond to OT Cyber Incidents	I	A	R	C	C	R	C	I
Perform OT Risk Assessments	A	R	C	C	C	C	R	I
Secure Remote Access (VPN, MFA)	I	A	C	C	R	C	C	I
Patch & Update ICS Devices	I	A	R	R	C	I	I	R
Conduct OT Security Awareness Training	A	R	C	C	C	C	R	I

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4. Best Practices for an Effective OT Security Organization

1. Establish a Clear Security Governance Model

   • Define clear responsibilities, escalation procedures, and decision-making authority.

2. Ensure Separation Between IT & OT Security Teams

   • Avoid traditional IT security teams managing OT directly—they should work together but have distinct roles.

3. Adopt a Defense-in-Depth Approach

   • Implement layered security controls:
     

     Network segmentation
     Role-based access control (RBAC) 
     Endpoint protection
     IDS/IPS monitoring

4. Regularly Test & Improve Incident Response Capabilities

   • Conduct red team/blue team exercises simulating OT-specific cyberattacks.

5. Integrate Threat Intelligence into OT Security Operations

   • Subscribe to OT threat feeds (e.g., Claroty, ICS-CERT).

6. Prioritize Secure Remote Access & Vendor Management

   • Use jump servers, VPNs, MFA, and strict vendor access policies.

7. Comply with Industry Standards & Regulations

• Align security controls with IEC 62443, NERC CIP, NIST 800-82, and ISO 27001.

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Recap: Creating an effective OT security organization requires a clear structure, well-defined responsibilities, and a collaborative approach between IT and OT teams. The RACI matrix ensures accountability, while best practices keep industrial environments secure against cyber threats.

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