OT Monitoring Tools for USB Security

Reinforce OT Security With USB Scanning Kiosks

OT teams rely on USB drives for maintenance and updates, but an infected device can corrupt data and halt production. Intrusion detection systems, endpoint antivirus, and other OT security tools protect critical systems, but removable media is often inadequately controlled and monitored, even though it can circumvent network security systems, including air gaps.

TYREX augments your OT security and compliance program with dedicated USB scanning kiosks and centralized management that integrates with enterprise security and monitoring infrastructure.

USB Security Works With Existing OT Monitoring and Compliance

OT monitoring tools help security teams understand activity across industrial networks and identify potential threats. Protecting an OT environment involves controlling network access, securing compatible endpoints, and monitoring for suspicious files and behavior. However, malware on USB devices can bypass network defenses and compromise infrastructure before endpoint malware scanning tools detect it.

A dedicated USB security solution for OT complements OT monitoring by adding inspection and control where removable media enters the environment.

OT Security and Monitoring Solutions

OT Intrusion Detection
Identifies suspicious network activity and alerts security teams.

Endpoint Antivirus
Detects and blocks malware on compatible endpoints.

Content Disarm and Reconstruction (CDR)
Rebuilds files after removing potentially harmful content.

Industrial Firewalls
Restrict network traffic between OT systems and security zones.

SIEM
Collects and correlates logs to support investigation and response.

USB and Removable-Media Security
Inspects devices and eliminates malware before devices connect to sensitive systems.

USB Security Risks for OT Equipment

A USB security incident can affect the computers operators use to supervise machinery and the controllers that govern its behavior. The consequences of using infected media during routine maintenance extend beyond lost files to interrupted production, unauthorized operating changes, and uncertainty about whether equipment is safe to restart.

Production Shutdowns and Delayed Restarts

Technicians use operator workstations and engineering computers to monitor and maintain OT equipment. USB malware and ransomware can disable these systems, disrupting manufacturing, logistics, and other business-critical activities. Operational disruptions prevent companies from meeting contractual commitments and cause financial losses and reputational damage.

Unauthorized Changes to Equipment Operation

Targeted malware introduced through USB can compromise the engineering software used to program industrial controllers, allowing attackers to change equipment settings and operating instructions. Machinery may then run at unsafe speeds or perform actions in the wrong sequence, damaging equipment and putting workers at risk.

Malware on Isolated and Legacy Systems

Keeping OT computers off the network does not prevent infection through USB file transfers. Older systems can be particularly vulnerable. Many run on decades-old hardware with software for which security patches are no longer available. These systems depend on USB devices for data transfers, but they have no defense against malware delivered via the USB port.

Malicious USB Commands in Device Firmware

BadUSB is an attack that uses altered USB firmware to impersonate another device, such as a keyboard. Compromised devices can issue commands to an OT workstation to run software or change settings within the user’s permissions. Endpoint malware scanning and CDR solutions cannot inspect USB device firmware or detect firmware-level malware.

How Secure Are Your Removable Media Controls?

Take the two-minute TYREX assessment to identify gaps in pre-connection scanning, endpoint enforcement, audit records, and protection for OT systems.

Augment OT Monitoring Tools With TYREX USB Scanning Kiosks

TYREX Decontamination Stations inspect removable media and eliminate malware. Scanning takes place on dedicated hardware, without installing software on production systems. Centralized management and optional endpoint enforcement help industrial enterprises apply USB security policies across their operations.

Multilayer Scanning

Combine multiple antivirus engines with AI static and dynamic analysis and BadUSB detection to analyze both files and device behavior.

Secure File Transfers

Copy inspected files to approved USB media so maintenance can proceed without connecting the original device.

Centralized Management

Configure stations, deploy policies, and distribute updates across connected locations with TYREX Management Server.

SIEM Integration

Export USB security events via syslog for correlation with network and endpoint alerts in your existing SIEM.

Offline Operation

Scan locally in air-gapped environments, with manual updates and log collection available for disconnected deployments.

Endpoint USB Controls

Enforce USB controls with the optional Workstation Protect Agent or Hardware Agent for OT systems that cannot run endpoint software.

Deploy OT USB Malware Scanning With TYREX

Discuss your OT equipment, removable-media use, and monitoring requirements with a TYREX expert. We’ll help you identify suitable inspection points and integrate USB security reporting with your existing SIEM.

OT USB Security Questions

How does TYREX complement our OT monitoring tools?

TYREX complements OT monitoring tools with dedicated USB inspection before devices connect to production equipment. Our USB scanning kiosks check files and device behavior. Security event reporting makes removable-media activity available for broader monitoring and investigation.

How does TYREX integrate with our existing security tools?

TYREX Management Server exports scan results and threat data through its syslog API. Security teams can correlate events with network and endpoint alerts in their SIEM and investigate USB-related incidents.

Does TYREX require software on our OT endpoints?

No software is required on OT endpoints for TYREX USB decontamination. Each Decontamination Station is a self-contained control point. However, we also provide the optional Workstation Protect Agent software, which runs on compatible endpoints and can block devices that haven’t been scanned and certified by a TYREX Decontamination Station. The TYREX Hardware Agent provides endpoint USB controls for legacy and sensitive systems on which software cannot be installed.

Can TYREX operate in air-gapped OT environments?

Yes. TYREX stations scan locally in air-gapped environments and those with intermittent connectivity. Administrators transfer updates and logs manually in disconnected deployments; centralized reporting works via manual log transfers.

Which TYREX components do we need for OT USB security?

TYREX Decontamination Stations operate independently. Add TYREX Management Server for centralized administration and SIEM reporting, and optional software or hardware agents when you need to enforce USB controls at the endpoint.