IBM and Tenable put IT/OT security on display at IBM's Watson Center in Munich with the QRadar and Tenable OT Security integration — showcasing industrial security, protection and asset management for joint customers and partners.

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, the lines between Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) are becoming increasingly blurred. Located in the heart of the IBM Watson Center's innovation hub in Munich is an internet of things (IoT) showcase environment in which visitors can see demonstrations of Tenable OT Security alongside IBM QRadar. The two companies have embarked on a journey to understand and harness the convergence of IT and OT.

As part of this journey, I have had the privilege of collaborating closely with Erasmo Volpe, senior security IT specialist, IBM Switzerland, and his talented IBM Security team, fostering a dynamic partnership that fuels our quest for cybersecurity excellence.

The Tenable OT Security showcase in the Watson Center is one element of a longstanding partnership with IBM Security. The Tenable apps for QRadar and the QRadar Vulnerability Manager (QVM) integration combines exposure management insights from Tenable Vulnerability Management, Tenable OT Security and Tenable Identity Exposure with QRadar’s log and flow consolidation capabilities to enable users to better correlate events, take action on flaws and meet compliance standards.

Over the past several months, I’ve spent time with the IBM security team at the Watson Center in Munich to complete the integration of Tenable OT Security and QRadar and to set up the demonstration environment.

Forging connectivity between IT and OT

Our collective vision is clear — to forge a seamless bridge between the worlds of IT and OT. By harnessing the power of IBM QRadar, renowned for its unparalleled surveillance capabilities across diverse infrastructures, and melding it with the expertise of Tenable's industrial cybersecurity solution, Tenable OT Security, we're shaping a holistic view of our interconnected digital realm.

Tenable OT Security stands out in its capacity to safeguard a diverse range of OT controllers, including those from industrial automation vendors such as Siemens, ABB, Wago, Rockwell Automation, Honeywell, Schneider and more. Tenable OT Security’s versatility extends to providing comprehensive asset inventory and management, spanning from PLCs to supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, distributed control systems (DCS), human machine interfaces (HMIs) and an array of industrial sensors.

Looking beyond basic defenses

The scope of cybersecurity today has evolved far beyond traditional defenses. By leveraging the combined strength of both the IBM and the Tenable platforms, customers can get unmatched insights into vulnerabilities in their environments. This significantly enhances their capacity for efficient risk management and strengthens their ability to anticipate and mitigate threats.

With the integration of Tenable OT Security and Tenable Security Center in IBM QRadar, our combined approach transcends mere threat reaction; it proactively establishes a fortified defense against OT and IT threats. This ensures that vulnerabilities in the OT environment are illuminated and secured, giving us a vantage point to survey the digital terrain and ensure that dynamic assets are both visible and protected.

Tenable OT Security empowers engineers and cybersecurity personnel to effectively monitor and control ICS networks. Tailored alerts detect unauthorized changes in real-time, covering controller configurations, communication anomalies, and potential threats, ensuring precise reporting. By following installation and configuration steps, organizations bolster their ICS security against emerging risks.

Dynamic policies and alerts in Tenable OT Security are tailored to each network, detecting alterations in controller settings, communication anomalies, and potential threats. It ensures ICS integrity and sends alerts to QRadar via Syslog, granting users control over shared information. To integrate, Tenable users can download the Tenable OT Security extension, configure it, and specify QRadar as an alert recipient.

Unveiling cybersecurity synergy

We are incredibly excited about the potential and progress of our collaborative efforts. But don’t just take our word for it — we invite you to witness this groundbreaking integration live in action. Contact [email protected] to join Tenable at the IBM Watson Center in Munich and see firsthand the power of this synergistic relationship.

As we continue to pioneer solutions in this domain, it becomes abundantly clear that the future of cybersecurity lies in collaborative, integrated efforts. With IBM's legacy and Tenable's innovative approach, we're not just anticipating the future, we're actively shaping it.

Learn more

• Learn more about the Tenable/IBM QRadar integration
• Find out how to send Tenable OT Security alerts to QRadar
• Read up on the Tenable OT Security Log Extension for QRadar
• Visit the Tenable OT Security product page