In monitoring an industrial system, which mitigation strategy is BEST for alerts while ensuring operational security?

Segmentation is the best choice for monitoring an industrial system while maintaining operational security. This approach involves separating different parts of the network or system, which helps to limit the exposure of critical components to potential threats. By segmenting the network, you can create distinct environments for various functions or processes, allowing for more refined monitoring and alerting mechanisms.

When segmentation is employed, alerts can be finely tuned to specific segments, ensuring that any anomalous activity can be quickly identified and addressed without compromising the overall security posture of the entire system. This tailored monitoring improves the visibility of potential security incidents, enabling faster response times while safeguarding operational processes.

Other strategies like firewall whitelisting, containment, and isolation also have their merits in securing systems. Whitelisting focuses on allowing only trusted entities access, which is effective but may not provide the granularity needed for monitoring alerts. Containment generally addresses how to manage security incidents after they occur but does not inherently improve alert mechanisms. Isolation can create an environment where certain parts of the system are cut off to prevent further risk, but it can also lead to challenges in monitoring and operational efficiency. Thus, segmentation stands out as the most effective strategy for both alerting and maintaining operational security in an industrial setting.