Blog

Microsoft DCOM Changes and Windows 10 End-of-Life: What It Means for OT

Select Dynamic field
🔍At a Glance:
  • DCOM (Distributed Component Object Model) enables communication between Windows-based applications.
  • Microsoft updates have hardened DCOM to address security vulnerabilities.
  • Result: Compatibility issues may arise with Industrial Control System (ICS) software relying on DCOM.
  • Windows 10 reaches end-of-life on October 14, 2025, compounding upgrade urgency.

🛠Background

In June 2021, Microsoft released KB5004442, a security update aimed at hardening DCOM.  While these changes improve cybersecurity, they also introduce risks to OT environments, especially:

  • SCADA/HMI systems
  • Engineering workstations
  • Data historians

If your systems depend on DCOM-based communication, you may face issues like failed application launches or broken device connectivity.

⚠️What’s the Risk?

Once the DCOM hardening updates are installed:

  • Certain ICS applications may fail to launch or exchange data.
  • Remote access to devices and data historians could be blocked.
  • After March 14, 2023, the DCOM hardening features can no longer be disabled, even with registry edits.
  • After October 2025, Windows 10 will stop receiving security updates—including those affecting DCOM. Windows 10 will reach end-of-life on October 14, 2025

Bottom line: Running ICS on Windows 10 with hardened DCOM settings presents a dual risk—unsupported OS and incompatible security changes. 

✅What You Should Do 

1. Audit your systems

→ Identify where DCOM is used across your OT/ICS environment. 

2. Engage with your software vendors 

→ Most have released guidance or patches to address compatibility with hardened DCOM. 

3. Plan a migration strategy 

→With Windows 10 approaching end-of-life, now is the time to evaluate your OS upgrade path alongside DCOM readiness. 

4. Consult with an expert 

Champion can assist with: 

  • System audits and risk assessments
  • Safe application of Microsoft updates
  • Compatibility mitigation strategies
  • OS upgrade planning and execution

🤝We’re Here to Help 

Whether you're sorting through vendor guidance or preparing for an OS transition, Champion Technology Services is ready to guide your journey. Our experts deliver tailored support for ICS environments, ensuring:

  • Minimal disruption

  • Long-term reliability

  • Cyber resilience


Ready to learn more? Contact us today to schedule a no-cost consultation.

We empower our clients to build safe, sustainable operations by delivering comprehensive Operational Technology (OT) solutions. From concept to implementation and beyond– we'll be there every step of the way.

Let's collaborate.

Schedule a no-cost consultation today.



solution brief

DCOM Hardening


More Posts

Read More
Blog

End of Support for Windows 10: A Strategic Opportunity for OT Environments

Industrial Data Centers: Digital Foundation to Drive Innovation

What the End of Windows 10 Support Means for OT

On October 14, 2025, Microsoft will officially end support for Windows 10. While this change raises important cybersecurity and compliance concerns, it also presents a chance for industrial and OT facilities to modernize critical infrastructure.

We don’t view this milestone as a disruption, but as a moment to strategically enhance your systems—building resilience, security, and readiness for tomorrow’s demands.

Why Strategic Action Is Essential in OT Environments

Unlike general IT systems, OT environments operate in high-stakes, highly regulated settings. Unsupported systems introduce serious risks—but transitioning with intention offers real, measurable benefits:

🔒 Enhanced Cybersecurity

Upgrading from Windows 10 enables deployment of modern operating systems with advanced security features and ongoing support—significantly reducing your exposure to cyber threats.

⚙️ Infrastructure Built for the Future

New platforms support greater interoperability, performance, and readiness for future digital transformation initiatives.

🚀 Improved Operational Efficiency

Modernized systems contribute to smoother performance, simplified maintenance, and fewer unplanned outages.

✅ Regulatory Compliance

Maintaining supported systems ensures alignment with evolving industry standards—helping avoid penalties and reinforcing your security posture.

How Champion Helps You Transition with Confidence

We deliver vendor-neutral, OT-specific strategies tailored to your unique environment. Our support includes:

🔧 Upgrade Planning & Migration

We develop and execute upgrade roadmaps that minimize disruption and maximize value.

🛡️ OT-Focused Cybersecurity Enhancements

  • Network Segmentation: Designing secure zones for critical systems.
  • Advanced Firewalls: Implementing industrial-grade perimeter defense.
  • Intrusion Detection and Prevention: Real-time threat detection and response.
  • Security Audits: Identifying and remediating vulnerabilities.
  • Cybersecurity Training: Equipping your personnel to be the first line of defense.
  • Incident Response Planning: Ensuring rapid, coordinated action in the event of a breach.

Prepare Today. Lead Tomorrow.

The Windows 10 deadline isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of a more secure, capable, and resilient OT environment. Champion is your trusted partner for navigating this shift with clarity and strength. Let's start planning your transition today.


Ready to learn more? Contact us today to schedule a no-cost consultation.

We empower our clients to build safe, sustainable operations by delivering comprehensive Operational Technology (OT) solutions. From concept to implementation and beyond– we'll be there every step of the way.

Let's collaborate.

Schedule a no-cost consultation today.



solution brief

DCOM Hardening


More Posts

Read More
Project Brief

On-Process Control System Migration

Industrial Data Centers: Digital Foundation to Drive Innovation

at-a-glance

Industry

Oil & Gas

Upstream

Solution

On-Process Migration
Honeywell Experion PKS®

Location

Gulf of Mexico


Keeping Production Online While Modernizing Offshore

Discover how our team executed a seamless Honeywell Experion® control system upgrade—without interrupting operations—on a live offshore platform. Learn how we delivered improved reliability, cybersecurity, and future-ready scalability with zero downtime.

📥 See how we did it—from outdated systems to a scalable, cyber-secure future, all while maintaining uptime in a high-stakes offshore environment.

See the Results

Complete the form to download the project brief.

Name*
Company
Email*

*Required field.

article

Securing Legacy OT Systems

solution brief

Disaster Recovery

Read More
Blog

Cisco Catalyst 2960 End of Life: What It Means for OT Environments

Industrial Data Centers: Digital Foundation to Drive Innovation
🚨 Cisco Catalyst 2960 Switches: End of Life & What It Means for OT Systems

If you’re operating industrial control systems, chances are Cisco Catalyst 2960 switches are buried somewhere in your infrastructure. These reliable workhorses have long supported OT environments—but Cisco has officially announced their End of Life (EOL).

For facilities relying on these switches for SCADA, PLC, or DCS networks, the implications are serious:
🔒 Increased cybersecurity risk
⚠️ Unplanned downtime
💸 Rising replacement costs


❓What Does EOL Mean for Catalyst 2960?

Cisco’s EOL designation means that the Catalyst 2960 switches will:

  • ❌No longer receive software updates or critical security patches 
  • 📞No longer be supported under standard Cisco TAC
  • 🧩Become harder (and pricier) to source due to limited hardware availability

In OT environments, this creates major concerns such as: 

  • 🔐Incompatibility with modern security standards 
  • 🔧Lack of support during failures or cyber incidents 
  • 🛑Disruptive outages caused by aging hardware 
  • 🛑Growing attack surface due to outdated firmware 

⚠️The Risk of Doing Nothing

Sure, the 2960 might still “work”…
But in regulated or mission-critical facilities, relying on unsupported hardware is a liability.
These switches are often deeply integrated—meaning failure could affect production, safety, and compliance.

🛠️Champion’s OT Mitigation Strategy

Our team brings deep domain expertise in ICS networks and zero-disruption migration planning. Our strategy is built for operational continuity:

1️⃣OT Network Discovery

Full network audit to locate 2960s, identify dependencies, and assess criticality.

2️⃣Lifecycle and Risk Analysis

Prioritization using OEM lifecycle data, operational impact, and supportability.

3️⃣Replacement Roadmap

Phased rollout using industrial-grade, Cisco-approved switches ensuring: 

  • Compatibility with your OT protocols 
  • Segmentation and VLAN design 
  • Ruggedization for harsh environments

4️⃣Secure Network Design and Hardening

We go beyond replacement to modernize your OT network:

  • ISA/IEC 62443 alignment
  • Security Zone segmentation
  • VLAN/firewall rules
  • Zero Trust principles

5️⃣Project Execution and Commissioning

Planned and executed by our experienced OT teams during low-risk windows, minimizing downtime and maintaining system integrity.

6️⃣Ongoing Support

Post-upgrade monitoring, health checks, and managed support for sustained reliability.

🏆Why Champion?

With decades of control system integration experience, we’ve successfully delivered secure migrations across:

  • 🛢️ Oil & Gas
  • 🧪 Chemicals
  • ⚡ Utilities
  • 🏭 Manufacturing
  • 🚢 Marine & Terminals

In these environments, downtime isn’t an option—and safety is non-negotiable.

💡Final Thoughts

EOL for the Catalyst 2960 isn’t just a hardware sunset. It’s a strategic opportunity to strengthen your OT network’s security, resilience, and performance.

Let’s modernize your network—on your terms.


Ready to learn more? Contact us today to schedule a no-cost consultation.

We empower our clients to build safe, sustainable operations by delivering comprehensive Operational Technology (OT) solutions. From concept to implementation and beyond– we'll be there every step of the way.

Let's collaborate.

Schedule a no-cost consultation today.



Blog

Network Segmentation to Enhance OT Cybersecurity


More Posts

Read More
Blog

OT Asset Management: A Key Pillar in MTSA Cybersecurity Compliance

Industrial Data Centers: Digital Foundation to Drive Innovation
As cybersecurity regulations under the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) expand to cover Operational Technology (OT), many facility operators are asking a critical question: "Do we really know what assets we're protecting?"
The answer often reveals a blind spot.
According to industry data, over 70% of organizations lack a comprehensive OT asset management strategy. This gap doesn’t just hinder performance—it puts entire facilities at risk of non-compliance, operational downtime, and cyber threats.
That’s where Champion comes in.

📊 Asset Management: Your First Line of Defense

Our scalable OT asset management solutions are built to enhance visibility, secure legacy systems, and support compliance with new MTSA requirements. By continuously discovering, classifying, and monitoring assets across your OT environment, Champion helps reduce risk and build the digital foundation for long-term resilience.

We combine:

  • Up-to-date dashboards to unify asset KPIs and vulnerabilities
  • Lifecycle-based risk prioritization to streamline response
  • 24/7 expert support from seasoned OT cybersecurity professionals

Whether you're preparing your Facility Security Plan or responding to an audit, knowing what’s in your environment—and how it behaves—is step one.

🚀 Ready for MTSA and Beyond

Champion doesn’t just help you check compliance boxes. We help you build a cyber-smart asset strategy that scales with your operations and aligns with MTSA mandates like:

  • Continuous cyber risk assessments
  • OT-specific incident response plans
  • Network segmentation and supply chain visibility

Let’s close the visibility gap—before it becomes a security gap.


Ready to learn more? Contact us today to schedule a no-cost consultation.

We empower our clients to build safe, sustainable operations by delivering comprehensive Operational Technology (OT) solutions. From concept to implementation and beyond– we'll be there every step of the way.

Let's collaborate.

Schedule a no-cost consultation today.



Solution Brief

Asset Management


More Posts

Read More
Blog

Navigating New MTSA Cybersecurity Regulations

Industrial Data Centers: Digital Foundation to Drive Innovation

With cybersecurity threats growing more advanced and persistent, regulatory bodies are raising the bar—especially across critical infrastructure sectors. For facilities covered under the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA), the U.S. Coast Guard is introducing new cybersecurity requirements that demand immediate attention.

As a trusted leader in Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity, Champion Technology Services is here to guide you through this evolving compliance landscape and help strengthen your organization’s cyber resilience.


🚨What’s Changing with MTSA?

The MTSA originally focused on physical security, but recent updates now expand its scope to include cybersecurity risk management for MTSA-regulated facilities. These changes reflect growing concerns over vulnerabilities in control systems that support maritime operations—such as industrial control systems (ICS), SCADA, and networked sensors and actuators.

📋Key upcoming requirements include:

  • ✅ Integration of cybersecurity into Facility Security Plans (FSPs)
  • ✅ Regular cyber risk assessments
  • ✅ Incident response plans for OT-specific threats
  • ✅ Ongoing training and drills related to cyber incidents
  • ✅ Demonstrating supply chain cybersecurity awareness and controls

🔐 Why It Matters to OT Environments

Unlike IT systems, OT environments are often built on legacy infrastructure using proprietary protocols—making them more vulnerable and harder to secure.

Yet these environments are increasingly targeted by:

  • 🎯 Ransomware groups
  • 🏴‍☠️ Nation-state actors
  • ⚠️ Zero-day exploits in industrial hardware

These new MTSA rules underscore a simple truth: OT cybersecurity is no longer optional.

🧩 How Champion Can Help

Champion specializes in bridging the gap between compliance and real-world security by delivering customized OT cybersecurity solutions. Here’s how we can support your MTSA compliance journey:

1️⃣ Cybersecurity Risk Assessments

We evaluate your OT environment using standards like NIST CSF, IEC 62443, and USCG directives, identifying gaps and vulnerabilities.

2️⃣ FSP Cybersecurity Integration

We update or develop Facility Security Plans to meet evolving Coast Guard expectations—grounded in real-world OT constraints.

3️⃣ Secure Network Architecture

Champion engineers design resilient network infrastructures, including:

  • Firewalls
  • Industrial DMZs
  • Secure remote access
  • VLAN segmentation

4️⃣ OT-Focused Incident Response

We co-develop incident response playbooks tailored to OT systems—minimizing downtime and speeding up recovery.

5️⃣ Training and Simulation

Through hands-on workshops and tabletop drills, your OT personnel will be prepared to recognize and respond to incidents quickly.

6️⃣ Managed OT Security Services

Stay protected 24/7 with Champion’s monitoring, threat detection, and vulnerability management—purpose-built for industrial environments.

🏆 Why Champion?

We bring decades of experience across energy, manufacturing, terminals, and critical infrastructure sectors—where compliance and uptime are non-negotiable. Our team combines deep OT knowledge with practical cybersecurity expertise, ensuring your path to MTSA compliance is efficient, strategic, and secure.

💬 Final Thoughts

These MTSA changes aren’t just policy shifts—they’re a wake-up call for every operator of critical infrastructure. Let Champion Technology Services help you:

✅ Understand the new rules
✅ Achieve compliance
✅ Build cyber resilience for the future

We're here to help you navigate the MTSA requirements.


Ready to learn more? Contact us today to schedule a no-cost consultation.

We empower our clients to build safe, sustainable operations by delivering comprehensive Operational Technology (OT) solutions. From concept to implementation and beyond– we'll be there every step of the way.

Let's collaborate.

Schedule a no-cost consultation today.



more on our website

Industrial Cybersecurity


More Posts

Read More
Testimonial

Penny Priester

“I’ve never worked for a place this nice and giving. It was surprising to see how you are supported, not because they have to, but because they want to.”

Read More
Testimonial Co-op

Daniel Quebedeaux

“After my time as a co-op, I realized there is so much you can only learn by working in the industry. There was a lot that I took back with me to school. I had a better sense of what I wanted to do, and I could tailor the rest of my coursework to fit that.”

Read More
Testimonial Co-op

Thomas O’Donnell

“The variety of clients and industries we serve allows you to see different processes and materials and how actual engineering principles apply to them.”

Read More
Testimonial

Andrew LeBlanc

“Champion really cares about your professional and technical growth, and they give you the opportunities to develop that.”

Read More