Ontinue has broadened its armoury to tackle the rising cybersecurity risks associated with IoT and Operational Technology (OT) devices.
This week, the company introduced Ontinue ION for IoT Security: an add-on to its flagship ION MXDR service, designed to extend advanced, continuous protection into IoT and OT environments.
Organisations are increasingly incorporating connected devices into their IT and operational ecosystems, which brings escalating cybersecurity challenges.
The adoption of such devices has amplified the attack surface, leaving businesses more exposed to sophisticated cyber threats. Alarmingly, recent findings indicate that nearly one-third of organisations suffered six or more intrusions in 2024—a stark rise from just 11 percent in the previous year.
Ontinue’s new IoT-focused service aims to level the playing field by enabling Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) to ensure the protection of their operational environments with the same advanced defences utilised for traditional IT infrastructures.
Bridging the IT-OT divide
“The rapid adoption of IoT and OT devices – and their integration into traditional IT environments – is creating unprecedented challenges for organisations seeking to protect their critical operations,” explained Geoff Haydon, CEO of Ontinue.
“By extending our ION MXDR service to include OT security, we provide CISOs with the tools and expertise to address evolving threats with confidence, enabling resilience across both IT and OT environments.”
The demand for unified IT and OT security solutions is on the rise. IoT and OT environments, essential for running advanced operations like manufacturing floors or critical infrastructure, are now lucrative targets for bad actors. A security breach can have devastating consequences, including disrupted operations and financial losses.
Henning Christiansen, CISO at Ottobock — a company developing life-enriching solutions for people with mobility challenges — expressed his support for the service.
“Securing our OT environments is critical to ensuring uninterrupted production and delivering life-changing products to those who depend on them,” explains Christiansen.
”Ontinue’s ION for IoT Security service gives us the visibility and protection we need to safeguard our operations against evolving threats, so we can focus on our mission of helping people live more active, fulfilling lives.”
A holistic IoT security approach from Ontinue
Ontinue’s ION for IoT Security service is armed with several standout features tailored to different stages of a cybersecurity maturity journey:
- Accelerated IoT/OT security maturity: For organisations with limited visibility or control over their devices, Ontinue delivers 24/7 monitoring, incident investigation, and containment. The service enables quick compliance with IoT/OT audits and ensures resilience in the face of growing boardroom scrutiny.
- Real-time asset management: IoT and OT device inventories are kept up-to-date using Microsoft Defender for IoT’s passive network sensor. Unmanaged devices are identified, and critical information such as serial numbers, firmware, and manufacturers is detailed for enhanced control.
- 24/7 threat detection and incident management: Ontinue’s comprehensive incident management contextualises every threat within an organisation’s unique environment. Teams can expect automated investigations coupled with human-guided responses, ensuring seamless escalation, approval, and engagement via Microsoft Teams.
- On-demand security expertise: Expert cybersecurity support is available in real time. Ontinue’s Cyber Defenders provide immediate assistance with incident response or IoT/OT-specific queries through ION Engage, a service delivered via Microsoft Teams.
- Faster deployment of Microsoft Defender for IoT: Organisations adopting Microsoft Defender for IoT can rely on Ontinue’s experienced team for seamless deployment and configuration of IoT/OT sensors, expediting the time-to-value of their investment.
As organisations increasingly acknowledge the value of IoT and OT devices in driving performance efficiencies, they must also recognise the cybersecurity responsibilities that accompany the integration of these technologies.
For companies operating in highly regulated or mission-critical sectors, such as manufacturing, healthcare, and infrastructure, establishing secure IT-OT interconnectivity is no longer optional—it’s essential.
See also: Mirai IoT botnet powers record 5.6 Tbps DDoS attack
Want to learn about the IoT from industry leaders? Check out IoT Tech Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The comprehensive event is co-located with other leading events including Cyber Security & Cloud Expo, AI & Big Data Expo, Intelligent Automation Conference, Edge Computing Expo, and Digital Transformation Week.
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