Fortifying Industrial Operations: CTI, MSS, and Incident Response in the Americas’ Oil & Gas Sector

Needs And Requirements:

As a major player in the Mining, Oil, and Energy sector, the client required a comprehensive and proactive cybersecurity approach to safeguard critical infrastructure, ensure regulatory compliance, and maintain operational continuity. Given the increasing threats targeting industrial control systems and operational technology (OT), the client required actionable insights into emerging threats. The client also required 24/7 security monitoring, threat detection, incident management and a structured and tested response plan with expert-led forensic investigation.

Main Challenges:

Evolving and Sophisticated Threat Landscape : The client faced advanced, persistent threats tailored to exploit vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure, requiring constant adaptation to new tactics and actors.

Complex and Interconnected Technology Infrastructure : With IT and OT systems deeply integrated across multiple operations, maintaining visibility and enforcing consistent security controls was a significant challenge.

Lack of Robust Incident Response and Recovery Plans : Prior to engagement, the client had limited capability to detect, respond to, and recover from cyber incidents in a structured and timely manner, posing risks to uptime and safety.

Solution:

24/7 Managed Security Services : Hitachi Cyber established a continuous, around-the-clock Managed Security Services (MSS) capability for the client, powered by Microsoft Sentinel and operated through globally distributed Security Operations Centers (SOCs). This solution ensured persistent surveillance of the client’s digital environment, enabling real-time threat detection and rapid incident escalation. Utilizing advanced analytics, behavioral monitoring, and threat intelligence feeds, the MSS provided proactive identification of anomalous activity, helping mitigate threats before they could impact operational continuity or data integrity.

Cyber Threat Intelligence : To improve the client’s visibility into external threats, a tailored “Digital Risk Exposure Score” Plan was developed and deployed. This included the ongoing monitoring of the deep web, dark web, and open sources for indicators of compromise such as credential leaks, exposed emails, data breaches, and signs of targeted cybercriminal activity. In addition to real-time alerts, monthly intelligence reports were delivered to keep the client informed of emerging risks and threat actor behaviors relevant to the Mining, Oil, and Energy sectors.

Cyber Resilience & Incident Response : Recognizing the importance of a swift and effective response to cyber incidents, Hitachi Cyber established a dedicated Incident Response team under a retainer-based agreement. This ensured that experienced cybersecurity professionals were on standby, ready to deploy at a moment’s notice in the event of a breach or security event. The team provided rapid triage, forensic investigation, containment, and recovery support, thereby minimizing potential operational and reputational damage. The retainer model also allowed for ongoing consultation and incident preparedness planning, ensuring the client was equipped to handle crises efficiently.

Outcomes:

The implementation of a fully integrated cybersecurity program—comprising 24/7 Managed Security Services, targeted Cyber Threat Intelligence, and an on-demand Incident Response team—resulted in a marked improvement in the client’s overall security posture. With continuous monitoring in place, the client gained real-time visibility into its threat landscape, enabling faster detection and response to potential attacks. The intelligence-driven threat exposure monitoring proactively identified credential and data leaks, allowing the client to remediate vulnerabilities before they were exploited. Furthermore, the presence of a dedicated Incident Response team provided peace of mind and operational assurance, significantly reducing response times and mitigating business disruption during critical events.

Next Steps:

Following the successful deployment and measurable impact of these cybersecurity services, the client has opted to continue its strategic partnership with Hitachi Cyber, eventually requiring other Professional Services like Penetration Testing or Social Engineering awareness campaigns. This long-term engagement ensures that the client remains proactively protected against emerging threats.