The Security Blind Spot in Long Lifecycle Assets
Most companies think about cybersecurity in terms of IT infrastructure that gets replaced every few years like laptops, servers, and even cloud workloads. But there’s a whole category of assets that don’t fit that cycle: long lifecycle assets like EV chargers, wind turbines, aircraft, ships, industrial machinery, and medical devices. These systems are expected to last 10, 20, even 30 years.
This is where the real blind spot lies. While these assets are designed to endure, the security protecting them often isn’t.
Photo by Michael Fousert on Unsplash
CPS, IoT, and OT: Overlapping but Distinct
More and more people are using the term "Cyber-Physical Systems" (CPS) to talk about the area of systems where digital and physical come together. But a lot of companies still talk about Operational Technology (OT) and Internet of Things (IoT) devices:
OT usually means industrial control systems (ICS), SCADA environments, and the technology that manages factories, utilities, and important infrastructure.
IoT is a term that usually means connected devices and sensors, like smart building systems, consumer wearables, and industrial IoT (IIoT).
CPS includes both, which shows that these systems are closely linked digital and physical settings where problems can have real-world effects.
Different ideas, but the same problem: systems that last a long time are vulnerable to dangers that change quickly.
Why Long Lifecycle = Long-Term Risk
Built to last: A wind turbine or EV charger put in place in 2025 could still be working in 2040.
Too costly to rip-and-replace: Unlike laptops or servers, these systems can’t just be swapped out every time new vulnerabilities emerge.
Threats evolve faster than assets: Encryption that feels safe now may be broken in 10 years, especially as quantum computing matures. The data in these systems may be particularly vulnerable to Harvest Now Decrypt Later (HNDL) attacks (see below) since critical infrastructure is of special interest to nation-state and private adversaries alike.
Common IoT, OT, and CPS Pain Points
Legacy Protocols (OT): SCADA, Modbus, and CAN Bus were not built with current encryption or authentication in mind.
Device Proliferation (IoT): There are millions, if not billions, of small endpoints with weak security measures.
Supply Chain Risk (CPS/IoT/OT): Attackers are most likely to go after firmware and software updates.
Remote Exposure: Assets that are spread out, like electric vehicle chargers or smart sensors, can't hide behind a corporate firewall.
Compliance Pressure: Mandates like NIS2, NERC CIP, and even FDA medical device guidance frequently outpace the capabilities of existing deployments.
The Quantum Factor Happening Right Now: Harvest Now, Decrypt Later (HNDL)
With "HNDL" techniques, enemies can harvest data now and use quantum computing to decrypt it later. That means that sensitive data is at risk from Day One of deployment for OT, IoT, and CPS assets that last a long time.
Why Traditional Security Falls Short
VPNs: Create static entry points that persist whether in use or not, forming a massive attack surface.
Firewalls & Detection Tools: Focus on alerting after compromise, not preventing it.
One-Size-Fits-All IT Security: Doesn't take into consideration the fact that CPS/OT/IoT can be spread out, have limited resources, or last for decades.
A New Model: Security That Matches the Asset Lifecycle
Zero Knowledge Networking: No public IPs, no inbound ports, nothing discoverable.
Ephemeral Tunnels: Connections only exist when workloads are active — and vanish when idle.
Post-Quantum Encryption: Triple-layer security that’s resistant even to future quantum threats.
Invisible Infrastructure: Critical assets can’t be scanned, attacked, or used for lateral movement.
Whether you call them IoT, OT, or CPS, these systems share one critical trait: they will outlive today’s encryption and security models. Your security needs to survive as long as your infrastructure does.