Introduction 

Many Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity programs remain dangerously incomplete because they overlook key vulnerabilities that traditional risk assessments fail to identify. As the threat landscape becomes increasingly sophisticated, simply scanning for vulnerabilities or deploying perimeter firewalls is no longer sufficient. 

PacketViper helps close these dangerous gaps with a proactive, deception-based defense that empowers customers to detect, disrupt, and defeat threats—especially in the areas most often missed. 

This document examines five critical vulnerabilities identified by Insane Cyber's report, maps them to PacketViper's detection and containment capabilities, and explains why our approach is essential for a resilient OT environment. 

1. Shadow OT Assets 

1. Problem: Devices like rogue wireless gateways, USB-to-ethernet converters, or misconfigured field hardware introduce hidden risk. These assets often go unnoticed during conventional risk assessments. 
2. PacketViper Approach: - Deploy AMTD and network behavior monitors across all network segments to attract, detect, and prevent unauthorized scans or connections. - Identify activity from non-inventoried assets by behavior (e.g., scanning, unexpected protocol use). - Alert and/or auto-isolate based on detection. 
3. Customer Value: Make the invisible visible. Deception provides a lightweight method to flush out rogue assets without needing active polling. 

2. Flat Network Architectures 

1. Problem: Flat OT networks make lateral movement easy. Attackers that compromise one asset can pivot rapidly across the environment. 
2. PacketViper Approach: - Insert deception assets to simulate OT devices within subnets. Place PacketViper inline to monitor network behavior - Trigger alerts based on east-west reconnaissance or attempted protocol connections. - Enforce dynamic segmentation through blacklisting from deception tripwire events. 
3. Customer Value: Create virtual segmentation without rearchitecting your entire network. Every deceptive tripwire becomes a behavioral firewall. 
   

3. Deceptively Normal Behavior 

1. Problem: Many attackers imitate legitimate user or asset behavior, flying under the radar of SIEMs and static anomaly models. 
2. PacketViper Approach: - Use adaptive deception that mimics real OT services but with unique behavior signatures. - Detect malicious untrusted connections based on timing, frequency, and failed interactions. - Deliver actionable alerts and logs to operational teams—not just IT. 
3. Customer Value: Detects the attacker that looks like a trusted insider. Deception exposes intent, not just behavior. 

4. Unmonitored Remote Sites 

1. Problem: Small or remote facilities often lack the budget or staff to support traditional security monitoring. 
   
2. PacketViper Approach: - Deploy lightweight deception sensors at the edge (e.g., pump stations, RTUs, remote cabinets). - Send real-time SMS alerts to field staff via MPA (Message Processing & Automation). - Operate independently of centralized SIEMs or SOCs. 
   
3. Customer Value: Get field-based threat visibility without new infrastructure. Empower local teams to react instantly. 

5. The Human Element 

1. Problem: OT personnel may miss security cues due to alert fatigue or lack of context. Many events go undetected or are ignored. 
2. PacketViper Approach: - MPA filters and routes alerts based on role and relevance (e.g., engineering, facilities, security). - Only alerts triggered from verified deception activity are sent. - Supports multi-channel delivery (SMS, email, dashboards). 
3. Customer Value: Deliver the right alert to the right person, at the right time—with context. Less noise, more action. 

Why PacketViper Matters 

PacketViper’s OT360 and Deception360 frameworks turn deception into an offensive-defensive hybrid. Instead of waiting for alerts from slow SOC workflows or stale threat intel feeds, our platform pushes real time, context-rich insights to operational decision-makers. 

By embedding deception directly into the OT fabric, PacketViper: - Exposes threats traditional tools miss - Enhances asset awareness and segmentation - Detects insider misuse and lateral movement - Extends visibility to remote sites - Reduces false positives and alert fatigue 

This isn’t theory—it’s field-tested defense

Aligned with Industry Standards 

PacketViper deception capabilities are in alignment with: - Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) advisories - National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidance (NIST SP 800-82, NIST CSF) - North American Electric Reliability Corporation Critical Infrastructure Protection (NERC CIP) directives - National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) cybersecurity positions 

Final Thoughts 

Security doesn’t begin at the firewall—it starts with visibility, context, and control. PacketViper’s deception platform isn’t just a product; it’s a strategic layer that strengthens every other control in your OT stack. 

If your risk assessment missed these five vulnerabilities, it’s time to act.