We are pleased to announce that an article written by Abaid ur Rehman (OT Cybersecurity Expert at ACET Solutions) has been featured in the official digital publication of the International Society of Automation (ISA).
The article titled “Managing OT Obsolescence: A Strategic Approach to Industrial Cyber Resilience” addresses the critical challenge of maintaining security integrity in legacy Operational Technology (OT) environments and “silent threat” within industrial plants: obsolete assets that continue to operate but lack manufacturer support, firmware updates, and modern security hardening like encryption.
The publication explores practical, data-driven strategies that organizations can implement to bridge the gap between outdated hardware and modern cybersecurity requirements. By aligning with international frameworks such as ISA/IEC 62443, the article provides a framework for strengthening resilience without disrupting essential industrial operations.
Aging industrial systems remain deeply embedded in critical infrastructure operations, yet many of them were never designed to withstand modern cyber threats,” said Abaid ur Rehman. “Through this article, I wanted to emphasize that OT obsolescence should no longer be viewed purely as a maintenance issue. It represents a growing cybersecurity challenge that requires structured asset lifecycle management, improved risk visibility, and alignment with global standards such as ISA/IEC 62443. I am honored to contribute this work to Automation.com, a respected industry platform closely associated with the International Society of Automation that brings together global experts and practitioners in industrial automation and cybersecurity. Strengthening the resilience of legacy OT environments will be essential for organizations seeking to protect critical infrastructure while maintaining safe and reliable operations.”
Abaid ur Rehman is an Operational Technology (OT) Cybersecurity Expert at ACET Solutions, specializing in the protection of industrial control systems and critical infrastructure environments. His work focuses on OT cybersecurity governance, asset lifecycle and obsolescence management, and implementation of international security standards including ISA/IEC 62443 and the Saudi National Cybersecurity Authority OT Cybersecurity Controls (NCA-OTCC). Abaid has contributed to multiple cybersecurity initiatives across the energy, petrochemical, and industrial sectors, helping organizations strengthen operational resilience and secure industrial environments against evolving cyber threats. His insights on OT cybersecurity and industrial resilience have been featured in the official digital publication of the International Society of Automation.
Read the full article here on Automation.com
