Nozomi Networks vs. Claroty: Ultimate OT Security

Critical infrastructure faces growing cyber threats. Protecting operational technology (OT) isn’t merely good practice; it’s a national security priority. A breach in these systems can cause widespread power outages, contaminate water supplies, or halt manufacturing. Such incidents carry severe consequences, impacting lives and economies.

Consider the Colonial Pipeline attack in 2021. While primarily an IT breach, it forced OT systems offline, disrupting fuel distribution across the US East Coast for days. This incident clearly showed how interconnected and vulnerable these critical systems truly are. Unlike traditional IT networks, OT environments prioritize uptime and safety above all else. Many legacy systems often lack modern security features, making them easy targets.

Patching these systems can be risky, even impossible, without disrupting operations. This unique challenge means standard IT security tools often fall short. Organizations must adopt a proactive, defense-in-depth strategy. Ignoring OT security is no longer an option for any entity managing essential services.

As one industry expert recently put it, “The air gap is a myth. Every OT network is connected, and every connection is a potential entry point.”

Prioritizing OT security helps achieve several key goals:

• Preventing service disruptions that affect millions.
• Safeguarding public safety and environmental health.
• Avoiding massive financial losses and reputational damage.
• Maintaining strict regulatory compliance.

Protecting industrial control systems (ICS) demands specialized tools. For years, Nozomi Networks and Claroty have led the charge in OT cybersecurity, each bringing distinct strengths to the table. My experience working with various critical infrastructure clients shows these platforms are often the first choice for good reason.

Nozomi Networks excels at providing deep visibility into operational technology environments. It uses passive monitoring to map networks, identify assets, and detect anomalies that signal potential threats. This means you get a clear picture of your industrial network without disrupting sensitive operations.

“Effective OT security starts with knowing what you have and what’s normal. Without that baseline, you’re flying blind,” says a recent SANS Institute report on industrial defense.

Claroty, on the other hand, offers a comprehensive suite focused on asset management and vulnerability assessment. It helps organizations discover every connected device, understand its risk posture, and manage secure remote access. Both companies aim to reduce risk in complex industrial settings.

Their core offerings typically include:

• Asset Discovery: Identifying all devices on the OT network.
• Vulnerability Management: Pinpointing known weaknesses in industrial assets.
• Threat Detection: Spotting malicious activity or operational anomalies.
• Secure Remote Access: Controlling and monitoring external connections to OT.

Choosing between them often comes down to specific organizational needs and existing infrastructure. Both are powerful allies in the fight to secure critical systems.

When evaluating Nozomi Networks and Claroty, I often see their core strengths complement each other, though they approach OT security from slightly different angles. Nozomi excels at providing unparalleled network visibility and advanced threat detection. It passively monitors industrial networks, building a detailed baseline of normal behavior. This allows it to quickly spot anomalies, like unauthorized device connections or unusual traffic patterns, which often signal a breach.

Claroty, on the other hand, shines in its comprehensive asset management and vulnerability assessment capabilities. It builds a precise inventory of every device on your OT network, from PLCs to HMIs. Then, it cross-references these assets with known vulnerabilities, giving you a clear picture of your exposure. This proactive approach helps prioritize patching and mitigation efforts.

Pro Tip: “For organizations with complex, multi-vendor environments, understanding each platform’s data collection methods is key. Nozomi’s passive approach is often less intrusive, while Claroty’s active polling can provide richer asset details.”

Both platforms offer robust reporting and integration with IT security tools. However, their emphasis differs:

• Nozomi Networks: Focuses heavily on real-time threat intelligence, behavioral analytics, and deep protocol analysis for operational continuity.
• Claroty: Prioritizes detailed asset inventory, vulnerability scoring, and secure remote access for managing risk and compliance.

Choosing between them often comes down to your immediate pain points. Do you need to see everything happening on your network right now, or do you need a definitive list of every asset and its weaknesses? Many organizations find value in aspects of both.

Getting an OT security platform up and running isn’t just about flipping a switch. It’s a methodical process that demands careful planning. Based on my experience, rushing this can lead to blind spots and missed threats later on. Here’s how you typically approach deploying a system like Nozomi Networks Guardian or Claroty Continuous Threat Detection.

1. Initial Assessment and Network Design: First, you need a clear picture of your operational technology environment. Map out your assets, network topology, and critical processes. This helps you identify optimal sensor placement for maximum visibility without disrupting operations.
2. Passive Data Collection Setup: Both platforms primarily use passive monitoring. This means configuring SPAN ports on your industrial switches or deploying network TAPs to mirror traffic to the security appliance. It’s non-intrusive, which is essential in sensitive OT environments.
3. Platform Installation and Integration: Next, install the Nozomi or Claroty software or deploy their physical/virtual appliances. Integrate it with your existing IT systems, like SIEMs (e.g., Splunk, Microsoft Sentinel) or asset management tools, for a unified security view.
4. Baseline and Policy Configuration: After data collection begins, the platform starts learning your network’s normal behavior. You’ll then define security policies, set up alerts for anomalies, and fine-tune detection rules. This phase is crucial for reducing false positives.

Pro Tip: Always start with a small, non-critical segment of your OT network for initial deployment. This allows you to validate configurations and iron out kinks before expanding.

Remember, a successful deployment isn’t a one-time event. It requires ongoing monitoring and adjustment to adapt to changes in your industrial environment.

Nozomi Networks truly shines when it comes to seeing everything happening across your operational technology (OT) networks. Its strength lies in its ability to passively monitor industrial control systems (ICS) without disrupting critical operations. This means it can detect anomalies and potential threats without ever touching your PLCs or RTUs.

I’ve seen Nozomi’s deep packet inspection capabilities reveal incredibly subtle indicators of compromise. It builds a complete baseline of normal network behavior, then flags anything that deviates. This includes unauthorized device connections, unusual communication patterns, or even changes in controller logic. For instance, during a recent engagement, Nozomi detected a rogue engineering workstation attempting to connect to a critical safety system, a threat that traditional IT security tools would have missed entirely.

Here’s what makes Nozomi’s approach so effective:

• Passive Monitoring: It listens, it doesn’t interfere. This is essential for sensitive OT environments.
• Behavioral Analytics: It learns what’s normal, then spots the abnormal.
• Threat Intelligence: Nozomi Labs constantly updates its threat signatures, keeping you ahead of new attacks.

“Understanding the baseline behavior of your OT network is the first step to effective threat detection,” says a lead security architect I know. “Nozomi excels at establishing that baseline and alerting on deviations.”

The platform provides a rich, visual map of your entire industrial network, showing every device and its connections. This visibility is crucial for understanding your attack surface and responding quickly to incidents. You get a clear picture of your assets, their vulnerabilities, and any active threats, all in one dashboard.

They achieve this deep visibility through passive monitoring and proprietary deep packet inspection, meaning it won’t disrupt your sensitive industrial processes. Claroty’s Continuous Threat Detection (CTD) module, for instance, maps out network topology and identifies potential weak points. You get a clear picture of your attack surface, which is essential for any strong security posture.

“Understanding every single device and its vulnerabilities is the first, most critical step in securing any OT environment,” says a recent SANS Institute report. “Without that foundational knowledge, you’re essentially flying blind.”

Their vulnerability assessment capabilities are also top-notch. The system automatically correlates known CVEs (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) with your specific assets. This helps prioritize remediation efforts.

Key aspects of Claroty’s assessment include:

• Identifying unpatched systems.
• Detecting misconfigured devices.
• Highlighting unauthorized connections.
• Pinpointing end-of-life hardware.

This level of detail allows security teams to focus on the most pressing risks, making their work far more efficient.

Implementing OT security isn’t just about buying the right software; it’s about avoiding common, expensive missteps. I’ve seen organizations stumble by treating their operational technology networks like standard IT. This is a fundamental error. OT environments demand a different approach, given their unique protocols, legacy systems, and the severe physical consequences of downtime.

One major pitfall is a lack of a complete asset inventory. You can’t protect what you don’t know you have. Many teams skip this crucial first step, leading to blind spots that attackers love to exploit. Another frequent mistake involves inadequate network segmentation. Without proper segmentation, a breach in one part of your network can quickly spread across your entire industrial control system.

“The biggest mistake isn’t a technical one; it’s failing to bridge the gap between IT and OT teams. Collaboration is paramount for a truly secure environment.”

We also often see insufficient training for OT personnel. They need to understand the new security tools and their role in maintaining defenses. Ignoring the human element leaves your most advanced systems vulnerable. For instance, a recent report indicated that human error contributes to over 80% of successful cyberattacks.

To avoid these issues, focus on a few key areas:

• Thorough Asset Discovery: Before anything else, map every device.
• Strategic Segmentation: Isolate critical systems to limit blast radius.
• Ongoing Training: Equip your OT staff with security awareness and skills.

Don’t rush the planning phase. A well-thought-out strategy saves significant headaches and costs down the line.

Consider these key factors when evaluating your options:

• Asset Visibility Requirements: Do you need deep, granular insight into every device, or is a broader overview sufficient? Claroty often excels here with its detailed asset inventory.
• Threat Detection Focus: Is your primary concern advanced anomaly detection and real-time threat hunting? Nozomi Networks has a strong reputation for its sophisticated threat intelligence and behavioral analytics.
• Integration Ecosystem: How well does the platform integrate with your current IT security tools, SIEM, and existing network infrastructure? Both offer good integration, but specific connectors might vary.
• Deployment Model: Are you looking for cloud-managed, on-premise, or a hybrid approach? Evaluate which model best fits your operational constraints and data residency policies.

Don’t forget about the human element. Your team’s skill set plays a big role in how effectively you’ll use either system. A complex platform might offer more power, but it’s useless if your engineers can’t operate it.

Pro Tip: Before committing, run a proof-of-concept (POC) with both platforms in a representative segment of your OT environment. This hands-on experience reveals real-world performance and integration challenges that spec sheets won’t.

Ultimately, the “best” platform is the one that provides the most effective protection for your unique industrial environment, fitting your budget and operational workflow. It’s about finding the right fit, not just the most features.

The threat landscape for critical infrastructure never stands still. As we look towards 2026, simply deploying an OT security solution isn’t enough; you need a strategy for continuous evolution. Both Nozomi Networks and Claroty offer platforms designed with this adaptability in mind, helping organizations stay ahead of emerging threats.

I’ve seen firsthand how crucial it is to integrate threat intelligence feeds. Nozomi’s Guardian and Claroty’s Continuous Threat Detection capabilities constantly update their understanding of new attack vectors. This means your defenses learn and adapt without constant manual intervention, providing proactive threat detection.

“Future-proofing isn’t about predicting every attack; it’s about building a resilient system that can detect and respond to the unexpected,” a leading CISO I spoke with recently told me.

To truly future-proof your operations, consider these points:

• Regular platform updates: Ensure your chosen solution receives frequent security updates and feature enhancements.
• Seamless integration: Connect OT security data with your broader IT security operations for a unified view.
• Skill development: Invest in training your team to use these advanced tools effectively, building internal expertise.

Staying proactive, not reactive, will define success in the coming years. These platforms provide the visibility and control necessary to achieve that resilience.

Securing your operational technology isn’t a luxury; it’s a fundamental requirement for critical infrastructure. We’ve seen that both Nozomi Networks and Claroty offer powerful capabilities, each with distinct strengths. Nozomi truly shines in its advanced threat detection and deep network visibility, giving you an unparalleled view into industrial environments. Claroty, on the other hand, provides strong asset management and vulnerability assessment, helping you understand and mitigate risks across your OT network.

Your ultimate choice depends on your specific operational needs, existing infrastructure, and the particular threats you aim to counter. Don’t just pick a platform; carefully assess your environment and plan your deployment for maximum impact. What’s the single biggest OT security challenge your organization faces today?

The right platform can make all the difference in protecting vital systems. Check prices on Amazon to explore related industrial cybersecurity tools and resources.