Your focus is on keeping the business running. Whether it’s a production line, a distribution center, or a critical facility, your job is to ensure operations are smooth, safe, and profitable. Lately, you’ve been hearing more about new “technology mandates” and cyber threats in Washington, but it’s hard to tell what any of it means for your physical equipment.
The conversation around cybersecurity often centers on office computers and customer data. But what about the machinery on the floor, the HVAC systems, or the logistics controllers? This is your operational technology (OT), and it’s facing a new and growing set of risks. The problem is getting bigger every year; for example, the number of data breaches reported to the Washington State Attorney General’s office skyrocketed from 60 in 2020 to 280 in 2021.
This guide cuts through the noise. We will break down Washington’s operational tech risks and mandates in plain English, explaining what you actually need to know and providing a clear path forward to protect the heart of your business.
Why Your Operational Technology is Suddenly at Risk
For years, the world of operational technology (OT) was separate from the world of information technology (IT). Your office computers and servers were on one network, and the machinery on your plant floor was on another, completely isolated.
In simple terms, Operational Technology is the hardware and software that monitors and controls physical devices and processes. Think of the controllers for factory floor machinery, automated warehouse systems, building HVAC controls, or logistics equipment. Historically, these systems were “air-gapped,” meaning they had no connection to the outside world.
That has changed. To gain efficiency, analyze performance data, and enable remote access, businesses have connected their OT systems to their IT networks. This convergence has opened the door for online threats like ransomware and phishing to cross over from the office network and infect the systems that run your entire operation.
The danger isn’t theoretical; it’s happening more frequently. In a 2024 survey, 56% of organizations with OT systems experienced a ransomware/wiper intrusion, a sharp increase from only 32% the previous year. An attack that once might have only locked up a file server can now shut down your entire production line.
The convergence of IT and OT systems has created new, complex vulnerabilities that can be daunting for any business to manage alone. Understanding your unique risk profile is the critical first step, which is why many Washington businesses partner with a managed services provider to implement a unified security framework for holistic risk mitigation and guaranteed protection against crippling operational downtime and regulatory failure.
What is the “Washington Technology Mandate,” Really?
One of the biggest sources of confusion is the term “technology mandate” itself. It sounds like a single, imposing law you might have missed. The reality is both simpler and more complex.
It’s Not One Law, It’s a Framework of Responsibility
There is no single piece of legislation called the “Washington Technology Mandate.” Instead, the term refers to a collection of state regulations that, when taken together, create a higher standard of care for data protection and cybersecurity for any business operating in the state.
These laws were written primarily to protect consumer data. However, their requirements now indirectly but significantly impact how you must secure your operational technology. If your OT systems are connected to any network that also handles personal, customer, or employee data, they are now part of your compliance responsibility. A vulnerability in an old piece of machinery could be the entry point an attacker uses to steal data, triggering a costly legal mess.
Key Washington Laws You Need to Know
While there are several regulations, two stand out for their broad impact on businesses. Understanding them is key to grasping your responsibilities.
The Data Breach Notification Law (RCW 19.255.010): The core requirement of this law is simple and strict: if your business experiences a data breach that affects Washington residents, you are legally obligated to notify them. According to legal analysis, Washington’s Data Breach Notification Law (RCW 19.255.010) requires businesses to notify affected residents within 30 days of discovering a breach. This tight deadline means you can’t afford to be unprepared. If an attacker gets in through an OT vulnerability and steals employee or customer files, this law applies to you.
The My Health My Data Act: This is a newer and much broader law. It’s not just for hospitals or clinics; it applies to almost any organization that collects, shares, or sells “consumer health data.” The definition of health data is incredibly wide, including information about health conditions, location data that could identify a visit to a healthcare provider, and even biometric data. If your OT systems monitor employee safety or health metrics (e.g., in a high-risk environment), this data could fall under the Act’s protection.
The common theme across these laws is the expectation that your business will maintain “reasonable security” measures to protect data. In today’s connected world, that responsibility now extends to the vulnerable OT systems that could serve as a back door for attackers.
Your Action Plan: 3 Practical Steps to Mitigate OT Risk
Moving from worry to action can feel overwhelming. The good news is that you don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to get started. These four practical steps can build a strong foundation for securing your operations.
Step 1: Create an Inventory of Your OT Assets
You can’t protect what you don’t know you have. The first step is to create a complete inventory of every piece of operational technology in your facility. Walk the floor and document every device.
- Identify Everything: List all hardware and software that monitors or controls a physical process.
- Map Connections: Note how these devices connect to each other and, most importantly, identify any connection points to your main IT network.
- Check the Details: Record the age, model, and vendor of each device. Older systems are particularly risky as they often run on outdated software with security flaws that will never be patched.
Step 2: Conduct a Basic Risk Assessment
Once you know what you have, you can begin to evaluate your vulnerabilities. You don’t need a complex formula for this; just ask a few simple questions for each asset on your inventory list.
- Assess Impact: Ask, “What would be the real-world consequence if this device went offline or was taken over by an attacker?”
- Prioritize: Rank your assets based on the answer. A system controlling a single, non-critical machine is a lower priority than one managing the entire production line’s safety protocol.
- Find Obvious Flaws: Look for the easy-to-fix problems. Are any systems still using the default password they shipped with from the factory? Are any critical controllers connected directly to the internet without a firewall?
Step 3: Segment Your Networks
This is one of the most powerful security strategies you can implement. Network segmentation is like building a digital wall with a locked door between your critical operational machinery (OT) and your regular office computer network (IT).
The primary benefit is containment. If an employee in accounting clicks on a phishing email and unleashes malware on the IT network, that locked door prevents the attacker from easily crossing over to shut down your plant floor. It compartmentalizes the threat, protecting your most valuable operational assets from common cyberattacks.
You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone
Addressing Washington’s evolving technology mandates is about more than just legal compliance; it’s about safeguarding the operational core of your business from very real threats. The complexity of IT/OT convergence and state regulations can seem daunting, but the journey always starts with the same first step: gaining a clear, straightforward understanding of your specific risks.
By moving from abstract worries to a manageable plan, you can build a more resilient and defensible operation.
A local, experienced Seattle partner can translate technical requirements and legal jargon into a practical business strategy. Whether you need co-managed support to empower your existing team or comprehensive cybersecurity services to handle it all, the right partner brings clarity. They can help you conduct your first risk assessment, design a secure network, and build an incident response plan that works for your unique operation.
Partner with a team that provides straight answers and helps you build a resilient, compliant, and secure business for the future.
