The Hidden Hurdles: Why SMBs Struggle to Secure Operational Technology (OT) Environments

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are the backbone of industrial innovation, yet when it comes to securing operational technology (OT), these organizations face a unique set of challenges that often leave them dangerously exposed. As digital transformation accelerates across manufacturing, utilities, and critical infrastructure, the gap between operational needs and cybersecurity readiness is widening—making SMBs prime targets for increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks.

The Grim SMB Reality: Limited Resources, Growing Threats

Unlike large enterprises with dedicated cybersecurity teams and robust budgets, most SMBs operate with lean IT and OT staff (if at all). According to recent industry surveys (by VikingCloud), 74% of SMB owners manage cybersecurity themselves or rely on informal help leading to critical oversights such as weak passwords, outdated software, and a lack of multi-factor authentication. Financial constraints are a major barrier: 32% of SMBs say they simply cannot afford specialized cybersecurity personnel. This resource gap is particularly acute in OT environments, where legacy systems and proprietary protocols demand niche expertise.

The OT Challenge: Legacy Systems Meet Modern Threats

OT networks in SMBs are often built on aging infrastructure, designed for isolated operation rather than internet connectivity. The shift toward remote monitoring and cloud integration has exposed these systems to new risks. Many OT assets—such as human-machine interfaces (HMIs), engineering stations, and historians—rely on protocols like Server Message Block (SMB) to function. Unfortunately, SMB vulnerabilities have been at the heart of some of the most damaging cyberattacks in history, including NotPetya and WannaCry, which spread rapidly across industrial networks.

Attackers exploit common weaknesses in SMB environments including:

• Default or weak credentials

• Unpatched systems running outdated SMB versions

• Poor network segmentation between IT and OT

• Lack of visibility into device and user activity

These vulnerabilities are not theoretical. According to Sentinel and NordVPN, 43% of cyberattacks target small businesses, and 40% of small businesses reported data loss due to cyberattacks For many SMB’s, even a minor breach can be catastrophic due to their more limited financial resources.

Organizational and Human Factors: The Perfect Cocktail for Risk

Beyond technical gaps, SMBs also struggle with fragmented security ownership. Unlike IT environments with defined protocols and roles, OT security responsibilities are often shared ambiguously among operations managers, plant directors, and occasionally the C-suite. This lack of clear accountability delays detection and response during incidents, increasing downtime and recovery costs.

Human error further compounds the risk. Employees may connect personal devices to OT networks, use consumer-grade software, or inadvertently introduce malware via removable media due to a lack of proper oversight or training.

Supply Chain and Third-Party Risks

SMBs are increasingly targeted not just for their own data, but as entry points into larger supply chains since SMBs are considered softer targets. Attackers compromise third-party vendors to disrupt operations across multiple organizations, often through so-called "silent breaches" that remain undetected until significant damage is done. This trend underscores the need for SMBs to assess not only their own security posture but also that of their partners and suppliers.

How do we Address this Challenge? Proactive, Tailored Solutions

Despite these challenges, there are affordable, manageable and recommended paths of action. A growing number of SMBs recognize cybersecurity as a strategic priority, however, off-the-shelf products rarely address the unique needs of OT environments. 

Effective defense requires:

• The implementation of an OT cybersecurity architecture that takes into account the specific infrastructure, threats and process of each unique business

• Regular patch management and disabling of unnecessary services (especially outdated SMB versions)

• Secure configuration and strong authentication for all OT assets

• Network segmentation to isolate critical systems

• Clear security ownership and regular employee training

• Continuous monitoring and rapid detection tools tailored for OT networks

At RubyComm, we specialize in bridging these gaps for SMBs, delivering OT cybersecurity solutions that account for operational realities and financial constraints. By transforming security from a one-time purchase into an ongoing partnership, we help SMBs build resilience against the evolving threat landscape.

Conclusion

For SMBs, the challenges of OT cybersecurity are daunting but not insurmountable. With targeted investment, organizational clarity, and a proactive approach, even the smallest industrial operators can safeguard their critical operations—and the communities that depend on them—from the growing wave of cyber threats.