IT vs. OT: How to Resolve the Tension and Secure Industrial Operations?
As digital transformation extends into manufacturing, energy, and critical infrastructure, organizations must confront a key challenge: bridging the gap between Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT).
In his August 2024 presentation, Clif Triplett shed light on the cultural and technical divides between these two groups, along with a roadmap for greater collaboration and cybersecurity.
Understanding the Divide
At their core, IT and OT teams have fundamentally different goals and operating models:
These differences lead to friction in areas like change management, network design, and patching—often putting production and security at odds.
Why Integration Matters Now?
The convergence of IT and OT is no longer theoretical. Threats like ransomware and nation-state cyberattacks are targeting industrial control systems. Meanwhile, remote diagnostics, smart devices, and cloud integrations are increasingly present on the factory floor.
Ignoring IT in the OT domain is no longer viable. But forcing IT methods into OT environments without understanding their constraints creates risk.
Key Tension Points
- Change management misalignment: IT changes are often deployed without accounting for plant production schedules.
- Network and patching conflicts: IT patches may break legacy OT systems.
- Shared controls in OT: Access to machinery is often not individualized, increasing security concerns.
A Path to Peace: What Must Be Done
Triplett recommends several strategies to reduce the divide:
- Assign dedicated IT personnel to support OT environments. Train them in plant operations and culture.
- Cross-pollinate teams. Bring manufacturing veterans into IT architecture and cybersecurity roles.
- Segment networks. Use DMZs and highly restricted connections between IT and OT.
- Establish joint change controls. Any change affecting OT must be reviewed by both IT and manufacturing leaders.
Conclusion
IT and OT may come from different worlds, but modern cybersecurity and operational demands require them to work together. By fostering understanding and collaboration, organizations can secure their industrial environments without disrupting productivity.
Related Posts
Workflow Automation Governance: How Enterprises Scale Automation Without Losing Control
Why Workflow Automation Governance Matters Now? Workflow automation is rapidly becoming a core enterprise capability.…
Before You Automate Anything: Why Process Optimization Must Come First
In today’s environment of rapid digital transformation, many organizations feel pressure to “automate everything.” Software…
Leave a Reply