Risky Biz Interview: runZero adds passive scanning for OT networks

In this Risky Business News sponsor interview Tom Uren talks to runZero’s CEO Chris Kirsch about how runZero has evolved from an IT network active scanning product to one that can now discover assets on OT and cloud environments using both active and passive scanning approaches.

Safely scanning OT environments with runZero

The OT (Operational Technology) sector faces significant challenges when it comes to network scanning. OT systems frequently utilize proprietary protocols that may not be compatible with legacy scanners. Consequently, this incompatibility significantly hinders the effective scanning and information gathering from OT devices. As a result, the asset inventory obtained is often incomplete or inaccurate, posing a major security risk.

Fortunately, runZero avoids aggressive scan tactics, which could destabilize certain IT and OT devices. With runZero, organizations of all types can safely create comprehensive and detailed asset inventories without any disruptions.

How does runZero safely scan OT environments?

runZero employs an innovative incremental fingerprinting approach specifically designed to identify and handle fragile devices effectively. When a fragile device is detected, the method is automatically adjusted to ensure safe scanning. Unlike other scanners that may utilize security probes, runZero’s proprietary scan technology solely utilizes well-formed IP packets. This approach eliminates the risk of disrupting critical operations or causing downtime.

Thanks to its unique and reliable method, runZero has garnered a large and satisfied customer base in various industries including manufacturing, energy, and healthcare. These customers confidently conduct regular scans in their OT environments without encountering any issues.