Compliance & Governance for OT Systems

Operational Technology (OT) systems in critical industries (energy, manufacturing, utilities, etc.) face unique cybersecurity threats as increasing IT/OT connectivity exposes them to sophisticated attacks. These networks support essential processes and must comply with complex regulations. OT systems are increasingly vulnerable, and adherence to recognized standards is crucial for risk mitigation. Danguard helps industrial clients manage this complexity with comprehensive OT compliance management and governance. We ensure your OT operations align with key cybersecurity frameworks – including NIST CSF, IEC 62443, NERC CIP, and ISO/IEC 27001​ – by integrating security controls across both IT and OT environments. For example, IEC 62443 provides detailed security requirements and a defense-in-depth model tailored for industrial control systems​, and Danguard’s experts guide its implementation to protect your OT assets.

Establishing robust OT governance means defining clear policies, procedures, and roles for managing regulatory and operational risks​. Danguard works with your leadership to craft and communicate these OT security policies and assigns responsibility for compliance oversight​. We also leverage third-party audits and industry consortium insights to stay ahead of evolving standards (e.g. NERC CIP, IEC 62443, NIST 800-82). This continuous process helps maintain an audit-ready posture and integrates industrial control systems compliance best practices throughout the organization.

Compliance Services

Danguard’s compliance services cover the full OT security lifecycle. We perform OT compliance assessments and gap analyses against relevant benchmarks, then translate each framework’s requirements into technical controls and processes. Our team implements defense-in-depth measures — such as secure network segmentation, access controls, asset tracking, and system hardening — tailored to the OT context. For instance, we apply IEC 62443 guidance on zones, conduits, and risk assessments to segment and protect critical control systems​. By aligning those controls with your existing IT policies, we simplify industrial control systems compliance and readiness for audits.

Our expertise spans all major OT security standards and regulations, including:

  • NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) Compliance: We map OT processes to the NIST CSF’s five Functions (Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, Recover), integrating cybersecurity into your risk management program​. This helps unify IT and OT security objectives under a clear, actionable model.

  • IEC 62443 Implementation: We guide clients through full IEC 62443 implementation, defining secure zones/conduits and technical safeguards specific to industrial automation​. Our approach ensures your OT networks adopt the standard’s layered defenses and management system best practices.

  • NERC CIP for Industrial Systems: For energy-sector clients, our compliance experts ensure OT assets meet mandatory NERC CIP requirements (access control, incident response, asset management, etc.) that protect the Bulk Electric System. We translate NERC standards into practical controls for power generation, transmission, and distribution networks.

  • ISO 27001 in OT Environments: We extend ISO/IEC 27001 information security management principles to operational networks. By integrating OT assets into your overall ISMS, we help you achieve a unified governance framework and certification readiness.

  • Other Regulatory Regimes: We track and address industry- or region-specific OT regulations (e.g. NIS2, sector-specific cybersecurity laws) as part of our compliance management. Through regulatory tracking and participation in industry groups, we keep your program up to date.

Governance Strategy

Effective OT cybersecurity governance creates a sustainable security program beyond checkbox compliance. Danguard helps establish a governance framework with executive sponsorship and cross-functional oversight. We integrate cybersecurity policies into your corporate risk management and ensure OT goals align with business objectives. By defining clear processes for policy, risk assessment, and incident management, we make sure your governance structure “is understood by staff and inform[s] the management of OT cybersecurity risk”​. We also coordinate OT security roles and responsibilities with IT and safety teams to avoid gaps.

Our governance strategy includes:

  • Governance Framework: Establishing a comprehensive cybersecurity governance framework (policies, procedures, and standards) that addresses both IT and OT. We document OT security policies aligned with IEC 62443/ISO 27001 and ensure they are communicated and enforced throughout the organization​.

  • Risk Management & Monitoring: Building continuous risk assessment and compliance monitoring processes. We integrate OT risk scans and asset discovery with tools and practices that map to NIST CSF and NERC CIP, giving management real-time visibility into compliance status​.

  • Roles & Accountability: Assigning clear OT security ownership. We help define who is responsible for OT cybersecurity zones, incident response, and reporting, creating accountability across Operations, IT, and security teams​.

  • Training & Awareness: Developing training and awareness programs for engineering and security staff on OT-specific controls and compliance requirements. This ensures policies and procedures are followed on the ground.

  • Continuous Improvement: Scheduling regular reviews and audits to update governance practices as standards evolve. By leveraging industry consortia and regulatory updates, we keep your OT compliance program proactive and resilient.

Conclusion

In today’s connected industrial environment, strong OT compliance management and governance are essential. Danguard provides end-to-end support: from gap analysis and control implementation to governance framework development and continuous monitoring. Our specialized OT security team helps you not only meet regulatory standards (NIST CSF, IEC 62443, NERC CIP, ISO 27001, etc.) but also build a lasting cybersecurity posture. Contact Danguard today to secure your OT networks, ensure regulatory alignment, and keep your critical infrastructure resilient and compliant.