Operational Technology (OT) Penetration Testing: Defining, Process And Tools
Security Boulevard, Thursday, March 5th, 2026
Operational penetration testing is a process of simulating real-world attacks on OT systems to identify vulnerabilities before cybercriminals can exploit them, either physically or remotely.
OT penetration testing is a proactive approach to identifying vulnerabilities in OT systems before adversaries exploit them. OT penetration testing is performed by penetration testers, ethical hackers, and industrial cybersecurity professionals.
In April 2025, hackers gained access to Marks & Spencer's system via a compromised contractor's email, exposing data for 9.4 million customers. The breach caused disruption and cost 300 million UK pounds as a third party gained unauthorised access to OT systems.
In 2025, KNP Transport, a 158-year-old company, was disrupted by a ransomware attack that exploited a weak password. This incident demonstrates how a simple security flaw can disrupt a critical OT system.