A Guide to Cybersecurity Assessments

The Imperative of Proactive Assessments

As industrial environments evolve and IT-OT convergence accelerates, the need for robust cybersecurity grows more urgent. For organizations managing ICS, SCADA, PLCs, and other operational technologies, a compromised system can halt production, endanger safety, and result in regulatory penalties.

Think of cybersecurity assessments as proactive health checks for your control systems. No single test can capture the full picture, each assessment reveals a unique dimension of your cyber risk. When integrated, these assessments form a layered approach that strengthens resilience and guides continuous improvement.

Let’s explore the key assessment types, beginning with the most foundational: the Gap Assessment.

1. Gap Assessment

Gap assessments compare your current cybersecurity state to a defined target, such as regulatory frameworks, industry standards, or internal security policies, to identify specific areas of improvement.

📋Key Components

• Baseline Evaluation – Establishes the current technical and procedural posture.
• Target Definition – Defines the expected or required state (e.g., NIST CSF, IEC 62443).
• Gap Identification – Pinpoints missing controls, insufficient practices, or misaligned documentation.
• Remediation Planning – Outlines concrete steps to close the gaps.

💡Key Takeaway

Gap assessments are the starting point for any effective cybersecurity improvement plan, revealing exactly what needs to change and helping prioritize remediation.

2. ICS Risk Assessment

This foundational assessment identifies and evaluates risks across your OT environment. It focuses on potential threats, existing vulnerabilities, and the business impact of a successful cyberattack.

📋Key Components

• Asset Identification – Cataloging ICS components (PLCs, RTUs, HMI, SCADA).
• Threat Identification – Profiling external and internal threat actors.
• Vulnerability Discovery – Spotting gaps in systems, processes, and configurations.
• Impact Analysis – Estimating operational, safety, and financial consequences.
• Risk Prioritization – Ranking risks to guide mitigation efforts effectively.

💡Key Takeaway

Provides a strategic roadmap to prioritize cybersecurity investments and close high-impact gaps.

3. Vulnerability Assessment

A vulnerability assessment systematically identifies weaknesses, both technical and physical, across your OT environment. It focuses on discovering flaws that could be exploited by threat actors, whether through software vulnerabilities or on-site security gaps.

🔧Key Components

• Automated Scanning – Identifies known technical vulnerabilities in software, firmware, and network configurations (e.g., unpatched systems, default credentials).
• Manual Review – Expert analysis of configurations, network architecture, and system documentation to uncover issues not flagged by automated tools.
• Physical Security Inspection – Assesses physical vulnerabilities such as:
  • Unsecured or poorly located control panels and field devices
  • Inadequate facility access controls (e.g., badge systems, door locks)
  • Lack of surveillance or intrusion detection in critical zones
  • Exposure to environmental hazards (e.g., dust, moisture, vibration)
• Reporting – Comprehensive documentation of all identified vulnerabilities, including severity ratings and prioritized remediation steps.

💡Key Takeaway

By identifying both cyber and physical weaknesses, this assessment enables a holistic approach to reducing the attack surface and improving overall OT system integrity.

4. Penetration Testing (Pen Testing)

Simulates real-world attacks to uncover exploitable weaknesses and test the efficacy of defenses.

⚠️Note: OT pen testing must be carefully scoped and is often conducted in lab environments or during maintenance windows to avoid disruption.

Pen Test Types

• Black Box – Simulates an external attacker with no prior access.
• White Box – Emulates an insider with full system knowledge.
• Grey Box – Mimics a partially informed attacker.

🔧Key Components

• Controlled Exploitation – Validates vulnerabilities without disrupting operations.
• Lateral Movement Analysis – Identifies possible attack paths within your network.
• Comprehensive Reporting – Details exploitation paths and remediation priorities.

💡Key Takeaway

Pen tests validate real-world defenses and identify weaknesses that could lead to operational compromise.

5. Compliance Assessment

Evaluates your adherence to industry standards and regulations such as ISA/IEC 62443, NIST CSF, or NERC CIP.

📋Key Components

• Policy & Documentation Review – Assesses alignment with standards.
• Technical Control Evaluation – Verifies implementation of security measures.
• Regulatory Gap Identification – Detects compliance shortfalls.

💡Key Takeaway

Supports regulatory alignment, audit readiness, and stakeholder confidence.

6. Cybersecurity Maturity Assessment

Benchmarks your cybersecurity program against recognized maturity models and identifies paths for structured development.

📋Key Components

• Process & Capability Evaluation – Across risk management, incident response, access control, etc.
• Benchmarking – Against industry best practices or target maturity levels.
• Improvement Roadmap – Tailored actions to elevate cybersecurity posture over time.

💡Key Takeaway

Enables strategic program growth by identifying long-term opportunities for maturing security practices.

🧭Choosing the Right Assessment(s)

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. The right mix of assessments depends on your industry, operational risks, regulatory exposure, and current maturity level. The most effective organizations adopt a cyclical approach, assess, remediate, improve, and reassess.

🛡️The Champion Advantage

Champion combines deep OT expertise with proven cybersecurity practices. We tailor each assessment to your operational reality, ensuring recommendations are actionable, scalable, and aligned with your long-term goals. Our comprehensive approach uncovers risks that others miss and delivers practical solutions that enhance operational resilience.

👉Get Started

Ready to evaluate your OT cybersecurity posture? Understanding the types of assessments is the first step. Let Champion guide you from insight to action, ensuring your systems remain secure, compliant, and future-ready.