OT, ICS & SCADA Security Assessment for Industrial and Critical Infrastructure
Operational technology (OT) runs the physical world: the controllers, SCADA systems and HMIs behind power, water, manufacturing, cold chains and buildings. These systems were built for reliability, not security, and are increasingly connected to IT networks and the internet. An attack can stop production or create safety risks, not only leak data.
Mutex Systems assesses OT environments using safe, non-intrusive methods. We start with passive asset discovery, architecture review and IEC 62443 gap analysis, and never run active scanning on live control systems without agreement. We support energy, manufacturing and utilities in the UK and Pakistan, including NEPRA requirements.
Or call our London office on 020 3307 529901Why it matters now
The risk behind this service
Based on incidents and figures in our UK & Europe threat report.
- In October 2026, internet-exposed refrigeration controllers were hijacked across hundreds of French supermarkets. Exposed OT is now a direct target.
- Manufacturing is the most ransomware-targeted sector in the EU, and IT ransomware regularly halts OT production.
- Regulation is catching up: NIS2 and the UK NIS Regulations cover energy and water, and NEPRA has issued IT/OT security regulations for Pakistan’s power sector.
Who this is for
- Power generation, transmission and distribution companies
- Oil, gas and water utilities
- Manufacturers and pharmaceutical plants
- Cold chain, logistics and retail refrigeration operators
- Building and facilities management (BMS)
- Organisations subject to NIS2, UK NIS or NEPRA rules
02Services
What we deliver
OT Asset Discovery
Passive identification of controllers, HMIs, engineering workstations and network connections.
Architecture & Segmentation Review
Review of IT/OT boundaries, DMZs and zones and conduits against the Purdue model and IEC 62443.
Learn moreRemote Access Review
Vendor and engineer remote access, VPNs and jump hosts, the most common way into OT.
Internet Exposure Check
Find controllers, HMIs and building systems exposed to the internet, the cause of the 2026 refrigeration attacks.
IEC 62443 Gap Analysis
Measure security levels against IEC 62443-3-3 and build a practical improvement plan.
Learn moreNEPRA IT/OT Compliance
Gap assessment and evidence for NEPRA security regulations in Pakistan’s power sector.
Learn moreOT Incident Response Planning
Playbooks that balance safety, production and investigation.
Learn moreOT Security Monitoring
Passive monitoring of industrial networks for new connections, logins and set-point changes.
Learn more03Business impact
What an OT security assessment changes
How a structured OT assessment compares with leaving industrial networks to rely on isolation that may no longer exist.
| Factor | Assumed air gap | ● With a Mutex OT assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Safety & production risk | Unknown connections let IT incidents reach controllers. | Connections mapped and segmentation designed to contain incidents. |
| Cost of downtime | Ransomware in IT halts production as a precaution. | Clear zones let production continue while IT is restored. |
| Visibility | No inventory of controllers, firmware or remote access. | Asset inventory and exposure picture for engineering and security. |
| Regulatory standing | No evidence for NIS2, UK NIS or NEPRA. | IEC 62443-based gap analysis and roadmap for regulators. |
| Operational disruption | IT-style scanning risks crashing fragile devices. | Passive, engineer-approved methods that keep the plant running. |
04How it works
How an engagement runs
- 1
Safety-first scoping
Agree sites, systems, methods and limits with operations and engineering.
- 2
Passive discovery
Collect network traffic and configurations without touching controllers.
- 3
Architecture review
Assess zones, conduits, remote access and IT/OT boundaries.
- 4
Gap analysis
Compare against IEC 62443 and applicable regulations.
- 5
Roadmap
A phased plan that fits maintenance windows and budgets.
What you receive
- OT asset inventory and network map
- Exposure and remote-access findings
- IEC 62443 gap analysis
- Segmentation and zone design
- Phased improvement roadmap
05Compliance
Frameworks and regulations this supports
IEC 62443
The international standard series for industrial automation and control system security.
NEPRA IT/OT Regulations
Security requirements for Pakistan’s power sector.
NIS2 Directive
Energy, water and manufacturing entities in scope must manage cyber risk.
UK NIS Regulations
Operators of essential services in UK energy, water and transport.
NCSC CAF
The assessment framework UK regulators use for operators of essential services.
MITRE ATT&CK
ATT&CK for ICS describes attacker techniques against industrial systems.
grComply · GRC platform
OT risks alongside IT, in one governance view
grComply records OT assets, risks and IEC 62443 gaps alongside IT controls, so engineering and security leaders see one roadmap and one set of evidence for regulators.
Explore grComply- IEC 62443 and NEPRA requirements mapped to controls
- OT risks in the enterprise risk register
- Roadmap actions with owners and maintenance windows
- Evidence for NIS2, UK NIS and NEPRA
What is OT security?
Operational technology security protects the systems that control physical processes, such as PLCs, SCADA, DCS, HMIs and building management systems, from cyber attacks that could stop operations or affect safety.
Will the assessment disrupt our plant?
No. We start with passive methods: reviewing configurations and listening to network traffic. Active testing of any OT device happens only with engineering approval, in a maintenance window or on a test system.
Our OT network is air-gapped. Do we still need this?
Often the air gap is not as complete as assumed. Vendor remote access, shared engineering laptops, USB use and IT connections for reporting are common. An assessment shows whether isolation is real.
What is IEC 62443?
IEC 62443 is the international series of standards for securing industrial automation and control systems. It defines zones and conduits, security levels and requirements for asset owners, integrators and product suppliers.
Do you support NEPRA requirements in Pakistan?
Yes. We assess power-sector organisations against NEPRA’s IT/OT security regulations and prepare the evidence regulators expect.
Can you monitor our OT network continuously?
Yes. Our managed SOC can add passive OT monitoring that alerts on new connections, logins and configuration or set-point changes.
How much does an OT assessment cost?
It depends on the number of sites, networks and systems and whether site visits are needed. We send a proposal after a scoping call.
Understand your OT exposure before an attacker does
Talk to our OT security team about your sites and systems. Reply within one working day, or call 020 3307 5299.