Securing Critical Infrastructure Operations Ch. 09: Operator Call to Action Report Chapters Securing Critical Infrastructure Operations Report Landing Hub 01 Overview 02 Distributed Operations 03 The Expanding Access Surface 04 Named Threat Patterns 05 Quantum-Ready Access 06 Agent Proliferation 07 From Zero Trust Remote Access to Secure Operations 08 Vertical Outcomes 09 Operator Call to Action 09 CHAPTER 09 2026 Report Operator Call to Action Practical steps for moving from network entitlement to governed operational interactions. Summary Plan The Path to Governed Access Transitioning from broad network entitlement to policy-controlled operational interactions is a journey. Operators should start by mapping pathways, limiting reach, and governing automation. Modernizing operational access is not merely a technical upgrade; it is a maturity journey that secures the core of the business. Throughout this report, we have provided the tools to navigate this transition—from the Access Surface Diagnostic to identify your immediate vulnerabilities, to the deep dives into the Three Categories of Modern Threat that define the current risk landscape. ” “The torrid pace of AI-driven risk and opportunity demands you choose a path to secure OT operations that your team can follow to the end today, and iterate on going forward.” Successful operators move beyond awareness to action by applying the 7 Dimensions of a Governed Interaction. This framework allows security, facilities, and vendor management teams to audit existing pathways and replace broad network trust with brokered, role-based controls. By Prioritizing Operational Success and choosing OT-native solutions that align with their team’s resources, organizations can finally close the governance gap without falling into the trap of IT-centric complexity. Ultimately, the goal is to build a resilient architecture that can successfully neutralize AI-powered Named Threats, govern the rapid expansion of Agentic and Vibe-Coded operations, and provide a clear path to Quantum Readiness before 2030. This final chapter provides the roadmap for that implementation to ensure that every operator has the clarity and the tools to secure their operations for the decade ahead Maturity Stages Stage 1: Inventory Access Paths Identify every human, vendor, integration, and machine path connecting to operations. Stage 2: Constrain Access Limit sessions to specific resources and time windows, eliminating broad VPN network trust. Stage 3: Govern Interactions Enforce centralized, policy-controlled access for human and non-human actors alike. Operator Checklist Questions Every Operator Must Answer Access Visibility & Reach Who and what can access our OT systems and data? Which access paths still grant broad network reach? Which vendors have persistent or shared remote logins? Use the Self Diagnostic from Chapter 3 Operational visibility is the foundation of governance. If you cannot trace who is connecting and which subnets they can reach, containment is impossible. Integrations & Governance Which applications, service accounts, and automations can touch operational data? Where could a compromised credential or agent move next? Can we govern access by resource, session, purpose, and policy? Can we change or revoke access quickly during an incident? Understand Your Applications Ecosystem Inventory how controls systems, SaaS applications, agents, and vibe coded applications from your teams and from your vendors interact with your OT systems and data. Taking Action Finalize your roadmap: Convert the findings from your Access Surface Diagnostic and your evaluation of Integrations into a prioritized punch for governance implementation. Deploy the 7-Dimension Framework: Replace broad network trust with the 7 Dimensions of Control across all critical operational interactions. Neutralize AI-Driven Risk: Build defenses that successfully tackle AI-powered credential abuse while establishing rigorous governance for autonomous agents and vibe-coded logic. Prioritize Ongoing Feasibility: Select OT-native solutions that your teams can successfully operate, ensuring that your security strategy provides a clear, manageable path to Quantum readiness. Set Yourself Up for Success Focusing on OT-native solutions that your team can successfully manage ensures you have a realistic, achievable pathway to addressing the many mandates of the changing technology landscape that we outlined in this report, and those yet to come. Assess Your Access Surface Talk to Neeve About Governed Access Ready to move from broad network entitlement to policy-controlled operational interactions? Request an operational access review or contact our team to learn how Neeve can secure your environment. Request an Access Review