Packaged control systems (PCS) are a mainstay in industrial environments due to their standardized functionality, ease of integration, cost efficiency, and rapid deployment. From gas compression skids to boiler control systems and vapor recovery units, PCS offer a pre-engineered, plug-and-play approach that enables organizations to quickly meet operational needs. However, these benefits come at a significant cost because they are often the most overlooked and vulnerable components in Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity programs.

This presentation will explore why PCS pose a disproportionate risk to industrial cybersecurity. It will examine the systemic challenges they introduce, including lack of built-in security features, poor patch management, and insecure communication protocols.

Drawing on real-world examples from oil and gas, chemical processing, and utility operations, this session will highlight how PCS can become the entry point for cyber threats—and what organizations must do to address these risks. Attendees will gain insights into practical mitigation strategies, including risk assessments, architectural segmentation, protocol hardening, and vendor engagement, to strengthen their OT cybersecurity posture against the hidden dangers of packaged control systems.