Contents
- Introduction
- Operational Technology Security vs. Information Technology Security
- What is Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS)?
- Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS): There’s a Method To The Madness
- Does PTaaS Cover The Full Stack?
- How PTaaS Improves Security Compliance?
- Your Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS) Package:
- The Sky is the Limit
- References:
Introduction
Operational Technology (OT) automates hazardous, complex or repetitive tasks that are difficult for humans to manage manually. The combination of Industrial Control Systems (ICS), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), and Distributed Control Systems (DCS) all work together to maintain real-time control over physical assets in sectors such as manufacturing, energy, transportation, and utilities.
While OT systems are beneficial, they’ve been isolated and outdated, making them likely insecure and exposed to modern cyber threats. Furthermore, with the growth of technological advancements, these OT systems are slowly becoming more interconnected, ultimately suggesting more room for vulnerabilities.
This is where the world of penetration testing begins! A proactive method to discover and fix weaknesses before attackers exploit them. It’s an approach that will limit downtime while expanding the lifespan of many OT sectors and their systems.
This blog will cover aspects of penetration testing as a service in OT, how it works, different phases of penetration testing as a service and how it compares to traditional methods.
Operational Technology Security vs. Information Technology Security
Before we discuss the testing side of things, let’s cover the foundations of OT and IT security.
- IT is responsible for data: Emails, databases, networks, cloud storage and user control.
- OT controls physical processes such as automated machinery in factories, pressure sensors at a refinery and temperature controls at a food plant.
- OT security usually has a longer life span of 15 to 20 years with infrequent but carefully planned updates, compared to IT security, which conducts regular (automated) updates but their lifespan tends to last 3 to 5 years.
| IT Security Focus | OT Security Focus |
| Protecting data | Protecting uptime & safety |
| Tolerates temporary glitches | Downtime can cause real-world impact |
| Tools are mostly automated | Tools must be manual or passive |
| Frequent patching | Patching often isn’t feasible |
Hence, where IT protects confidentiality and integrity, OT prioritises availability and safety.
Imagine it like this, if your email goes down, it can be frustrating but what if a water system malfunctions?
That’s a crisis!
What is Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS)?
Penetration testing in OT is when ethical hackers simulate cyberattacks on your operational systems to identify vulnerabilities without causing damage and downtime; however, penetration testing as a service (PTaaS) combines automated tools and expert human testing via a cloud platform to deliver continuous, scalable, and efficient security assessments across an organisation’s infrastructure. It’s a great way to pentest on a much more frequent basis like every time there is a code change, companies can choose this type of penetration testing.
Key Benefits Include:
- Faster Continuous Testing, Faster Fixes: Traditional penetration tests can take weeks. PTaaS delivers faster insights so your team can act on results quickly.
- Real-Time Visibility & Remediation: Spot vulnerabilities in near real-time and start fixing them immediately—no waiting around.
- More Control Over Testing: Launch tests on demand, set the scope, and escalate findings in real-time. PTaaS puts you in the driver’s seat. You can also retest or test for specific checks.
- Cost-effective: PTaaS offers a subscription-based model where users can pay for the service every month, making it more affordable for businesses by reducing the cost per test.
The truth is threats are constantly changing, and one-time tests are not enough anymore.
Testing needs to be more consistent if you really want a shot at taking these cyberattacks down!
Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS): There’s a Method To The Madness
Discovery & Scoping: What Are We Testing?
This is where it starts. The security team works with your OT and IT teams to figure out:
- What systems are in scope? (e.g., SCADA systems, PLCs, IoT gateways)
- What shouldn’t be touched?
- What times are safest to test?
- Who needs to be in the loop?
This step is about setting boundaries so testing is safe and aligned with how your operations run.
2. Passive Network Mapping: Look, Don’t Touch
Before touching anything, testers watch the network quietly, like a birdwatcher with binoculars.
They’re looking to identify:
- What devices are connected?
- What software and firmware versions do they use?
- How do those devices communicate?
No intrusive scans. No risk of crashing anything. Just an observation.
This is done using tools like:
- Wireshark – for analysing network traffic.
- GRASSMARLIN – maps Industrial Control Systems (ICS) without touching them.
3. Vulnerability Identification: Spot the Gaps
Once the layout is mapped, the team checks for weak spots:
- Old firmware that hasn’t been updated in years
- Default passwords still in place (like “admin/admin”)
- Devices exposed to the internet that shouldn’t be
Automated PTaaS:
The PTaaS platform will run automated vulnerability scans against the in-scope targets. These can include network vulnerability scanners, web app scanners (checking for OWASP Top 10 issues like SQL injection or XSS), cloud configuration scanners, etc., depending on what’s being tested.
Manual PTaaS:
Experienced ethical hackers and cybersecurity professionals are brought in to do manual penetration testing. This human element is critical to finding complex logic flaws that scanners may miss.
Combining automated and manual techniques means PTaaS can uncover everything from common vulnerabilities to subtle, high-impact security gaps
Rather than just throwing automated tools at the system (which could cause outages), they use a mix of manual analysis and safe querying to spot vulnerabilities, bringing in-depth creativity into the testing process.
4. Safe Exploitation: What Could Go Wrong?
This part is done in a test environment or simulated system, not your live plant or factory floor.
Here, the team shows what could happen:
- Could an attacker change a sensor reading?
- Could they access an HMI and manipulate settings?
- Could malware persist after a reboot?
You get a clear picture of the potential damage without taking any actual risks.
5. Reporting & Recommendations: Your Cyber Risk Game Plan
Now comes the “so what?” part. The PTaaS provider delivers an actionable report that:
- Explain what they found.
- Rates the severity of each issue.
- Offers clear, step-by-step remediation advice.
- Often includes a live dashboard to track fixes over time
You’re not left with a 60-page PDF that no one reads. You get a real strategy to improve your OT security.
I guess you can say it’s about quality, not quantity.
6. Follow-Up & Retesting: Closing the Loop
Once your team fixes the issues, the testers come back in to verify the fixes because patching one thing can accidentally break something else.
This follow-up ensures nothing falls through the cracks. And because PTaaS is ongoing, this cycle repeats regularly.
Does PTaaS Cover The Full Stack?
Ideally, yes, this type of testing covers all grounds of your digital ecosystem. – Internally Link
- API’s
- Web application penetration testing
- Network pen-testing (Internal and External)
- IoT device penetration testing
- Red team simulations
- Social engineering and phishing simulations
- Wireless network pen-testing (Internal and External)
- Penetration testing on cloud platforms such as Google Cloud, AWS, etc.
- Mobile application penetration testing
- IoT/ICS and Embedded system pen-testing
- Penetration testing for compliance with regulations/standards like GDPR, PCI DSS, HIPAA, etc.
How PTaaS Improves Security Compliance?
- If you’re aiming for SOC 2 or ISO 27001, PTaaS helps prove that you’re actively checking for security risks—not just once a year, but regularly. You’re taking that risk-based approach that they bang on about.
- For PCI DSS (if you handle payments), it helps you tick the boxes for quarterly scans, yearly pen tests, and checks after system changes occur. In short, it helps you follow the rules, reduce risk, and show that you’re taking security seriously.
- PTaaS gives you clear, easy-to-understand reports, so when auditors ask, you can show exactly what’s been tested and fixed.
- You can track what’s been found, who’s fixing it, and when it’s retested—all in one place.
- Even if you’re not technical, the platform gives you visibility and peace of mind that your systems are being looked after.
Your Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS) Package:
We’ve now established the significant impact a PTaaS can make compared to traditional penetration testing methods and how it can cover many aspects of cybersecurity industry standards.
But what should your OT PTaaS package look like?
- Passive asset discovery
- Vulnerability detection tailored to ICS devices
- Safe testing in mirrored environments
- Real-time dashboards & tracking
- Regulatory mapping (e.g., NIS2, IEC 62443, NIST 800-82)
- Support and training for OT staff
Bonus if they include:
- Threat intelligence updates
- Support for segmentation testing (IT/OT firewall reviews)
- Response simulation exercises (what would you do if something hit?)
Remember, whoever you choose should speak your language (mindset), understand your systems and respect your uptime.
The Sky is the Limit
Cybersecurity in OT isn’t just about ticking a couple of boxes. It’s about building long-term resilience into the systems that power our lives.
With Penetration Testing as a Service, you’re not just reacting, you’re proactively managing risk. PTaaS combined with Red and Blue team simulations will take your testing to the next level. It will give you insights into all vulnerabilities, no matter the size, ultimately strengthening your security walls while reducing the risk and impact of cyberattacks.
If you want a competitive edge, then I suggest investing in penetration testing as a service.
More regular (automated/manual) testing with deeper insights at a cheaper cost – you cannot go wrong!
The threats are real, and the stakes are high. But with the right approach, the right tools, and the right people, you can stay one step ahead.
References:
breachlock_dev. (2024, September 23). Penetration Testing as a Service – BreachLock. BreachLock. https://www.breachlock.com/resources/blog/penetration-testing-as-a-service/
Nicholls, M. (2024, March 25). What is penetration testing as a service (PTaaS)? RED SCAN a KROLL BUSINESS. https://www.redscan.com/news/what-is-penetration-testing-as-a-service-ptaas/
Operational Technology. (2024, March 18). Www.ncsc.gov.uk. https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/operational-technology
Os, P. van. (2024, April 5). The Art of Mapping Networks: Strategies for Efficient Network Discovery. Slurp’it. https://slurpit.io/blog/the-art-of-mapping-networks-strategies-for-efficient-network-discovery/
OTORIO Team. (9 C.E., February). How ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Strengthens OT Security. https://www.otorio.com/blog/iso-27001/
Internal Links:
https://www.forti.fi/services/web-app-penetration-testing/
https://www.forti.fi/services/mobile-app-penetration-testing/
https://www.forti.fi/services/network-penetration-testing/