OT, IoT and IoMT security services in Dubai, UAE
Plant equipment, building systems and medical devices are designed to run for many years and often cannot be patched. Our OT security services inventory, segment and monitor this equipment without changing the devices themselves.
Operational equipment was not designed with security controls
A programmable controller installed more than a decade ago performs its function reliably. It also uses a protocol with no authentication, runs software the vendor no longer updates, and cannot be taken offline without stopping the line.
Over time this equipment is connected to other systems: a historian, a reporting dashboard, or a vendor support tunnel opened for a commissioning visit and kept in place. The device has not changed, but its exposure has.
Securing it means accepting the device as it is and building the controls around it: recording that it exists, limiting what can reach it, and monitoring what it communicates with.
OT, IoT and IoMT security services we deliver
Engagements begin with discovery, because segmentation, monitoring and remote access decisions all depend on a complete inventory.
Asset discovery and inventory
Every connected device is identified passively from its traffic, including equipment that is not in the current records.
Risk assessment
What each device does, what it can reach, and the effect on the process if it stops, which sets the priority order for remediation.
IoT penetration testing
Firmware, wireless interfaces, mobile applications and cloud services are tested against the device as deployed.
Architecture review
How the plant network is joined to the corporate network, and what an intrusion on the office side could reach.
Network segmentation
Zones and conduits designed around the process, so that a compromise in one cell does not extend to the whole line.
Industrial control system security
Controllers, historians and engineering workstations protected by controls suited to equipment that cannot be patched.
Medical device security
IoMT equipment placed behind segmentation matched to its clinical role, with its regulatory approval left intact.
Secure remote access
Vendor support access replaced with brokered sessions, granted for a defined window and recorded, in place of standing accounts.
Threat detection and response
Industrial protocols are decoded at the network layer, so that an unexpected command to a controller is recorded as an event.
SOC coverage for OT
Round-the-clock analysis by analysts trained in OT environments, where isolating a device may not be an available response.
IoT device security
Building systems, cameras and sensors monitored for the change in behaviour that indicates a device has been compromised.
Cloud security for connected equipment
The platforms this equipment reports to, which are often outside the control of the plant team.
Incident and breach response
Containment planned for an environment where disconnecting equipment has a production cost.
Playbooks with the plant
Response steps agreed with operations in advance, because the decision to stop a line rests with operations.
Forensic readiness
Logging and retention arranged so that an investigation has evidence to work with after an event.
Recovery testing
Restoration of controller configuration and engineering workstations rehearsed before it is needed.
What OT and IoT security has to achieve
The service has four outcomes, and each is achieved without interrupting production.
How an OT security engagement runs
Traffic is observed before anything is sent to the equipment, because active scanning can disrupt industrial devices.
- Traffic read from a mirror port, with nothing sent to the equipment
- Devices identified by make, model and protocol from how they communicate
- An inventory reviewed with the plant team, produced as the first deliverable
Priority is set by the effect of each device stopping, as well as by the data it holds.
- Process impact of each device established with operations
- Safety instrumented systems identified and treated separately
- Exposure traced from the corporate network inward to the controllers
Zones are designed around how the process runs in practice, and the cutover is staged so that nothing is changed during production.
- Zones and conduits designed with the engineers who run the line
- Rules built from observed traffic, so that the first enforcement is predictable
- Cutover scheduled into planned maintenance windows only
Vendor tunnels and shared accounts are replaced with sessions granted per visit and recorded.
- Standing vendor accounts identified and closed on an agreed date
- Brokered access issued for a window, with a named requester
- Sessions recorded, so that changes made during a session can be verified
Detection is tuned to industrial protocols and to the normal traffic of your site.
- Baselines observed over a full production cycle before alerting is enabled
- Alerts routed to people who understand the process consequence
- Response actions agreed in advance with operations
Coverage is reviewed as equipment is added, because plant networks change continuously.
- New devices flagged when they appear and assessed
- Segmentation rules reviewed against drift each quarter
- Findings reported in terms that operations and the board both use
Why choose iConnect for OT and IoT security
Passive discovery by default
The plant is not actively scanned unless you approve it. Active testing takes place only on equipment you confirm tolerates it, in a window you set.
Availability comes first
In OT the process must keep running and people work next to the machinery. Controls are designed around that requirement from the start.
Designed with the engineers
Segmentation is designed with the people who run the line, so that it reflects how the process operates and remains in place.
Built for equipment that cannot be patched
Much of this equipment cannot be updated. The controls applied are compensating controls that work around that constraint.
Vendor access is closed
Standing vendor accounts and tunnels are identified and replaced with brokered, recorded sessions.
Healthcare included
IoMT equipment carries regulatory approval tied to its software build. It is secured through segmentation, access control and monitoring, without altering the device.
Where OT and IoT security meets UAE obligations
Asset inventory, segmentation and monitoring appear in each framework that covers this equipment. The service produces the evidence for each on equipment that cannot be changed.
UAE Information Assurance Standards
The IAS applies to critical national infrastructure and expects a maintained asset inventory, network separation and monitoring, with evidence that each operates.
ADHICS
Abu Dhabi healthcare entities are examined on connected medical equipment: what is on the clinical network, how it is separated, and who may reach it remotely.
DESC ISR
Dubai government and semi-government bodies carry obligations that extend to building systems and operational equipment as well as servers.
IEC 62443
The international standard for industrial automation security, which provides the zone and conduit model that the segmentation designs follow.
Sectors we protect
The equipment, the regulator and the cost of stopping differ by sector, and all three shape what can be done and when.
Manufacturing
Control systems and lines where an hour of downtime is measured in output.
Healthcare
Connected medical equipment under ADHICS, with approval tied to its software build.
Government
Utilities, building systems and infrastructure inside the IAS scope.
Banking and Finance
Branch building systems and physical security equipment on the same network.
Retail and E-commerce
Refrigeration, access control and cameras across many sites with limited local staff.
Education
Campus building management and laboratory equipment with no existing inventory.
What our clients say
“Whenever an issue arises, iConnect is there immediately: quick, efficient and proactive in keeping everything running without disruptions. iConnect has become a crucial part of our operations.”
Head of IT Infrastructure and Network SecurityDragon OilOT and IoT security questions
In many cases the vendor does not permit it. Patching a controller can void its certification, break a validated configuration, or require a plant shutdown. Medical devices carry regulatory approval tied to a specific software build. The service therefore applies compensating controls: segmentation, restricted access and monitoring around a device that cannot be changed.
Discovery and monitoring are passive by default. Traffic is read from a mirror port or a network tap and devices are identified from how they communicate, so nothing is sent to the equipment itself. Active scanning is used only where you approve it, on equipment confirmed to tolerate it, in a maintenance window you agree.
From the network traffic. Passive analysis identifies the make, model and protocol of a device from how it communicates, which is how undocumented building management panels, engineering laptops and wireless bridges are found. The resulting inventory is reviewed with the plant team and becomes the basis for every later decision.
The priority order is different. IT security protects confidentiality first. OT security protects availability and safety first, because the process must keep running and people work next to the machinery. This affects every later decision, including whether a device can be taken offline to remediate it.
Yes. IoMT equipment sits on the clinical network, holds patient data, and cannot be altered without regard to its regulatory approval. The service inventories it, places it behind segmentation appropriate to its clinical role, controls who may reach it remotely, and monitors it, without changing the device build.
Permanent VPN accounts, shared credentials and remote support tools that remain after commissioning are a common exposure in plant environments. These are identified and replaced with brokered access, granted for a defined session with a named requester and recorded, so that vendor access is controlled and auditable.
The UAE Information Assurance Standards apply to critical national infrastructure, ADHICS covers connected medical equipment in Abu Dhabi healthcare, and DESC ISR applies to Dubai government entities. Each expects an asset inventory, segmentation and monitoring. The controls implemented are mapped to the control being examined, so the evidence exists when it is requested.
With an inventory. Every later decision, including segmentation, monitoring and remote access, depends on knowing what is connected. Discovery is scoped at two to three weeks and produces an inventory that is reviewed and confirmed with the plant team.
Talk to our team about your requirement
We’re happy to answer any questions you may have and help you determine which of our services best fit your needs.
Our Value Proposition
- Tailored Solutions for Your Organization
- Unbiased Expertise
- Proven IT Competence
- Outcome-Driven Approach
- Proactive Problem-Solving
- Transparent Processes
What happens next?
We’ll arrange a call at your convenience.
We do a discovery and consulting meeting
We’ll prepare a detailed proposal tailored to your requirements.