Integrity360’s Matthew Olney explains the ins and outs of IT and OT security, and the importance of having both protected.
From production lines and water utilities to transportation facilities and power plants, operational technology (OT) is a prime target for cybercriminals and state actors.
As the lines between information technology (IT) and OT blur, understanding the difference between them and effectively protecting both has never been more important.
IT v OT security
IT security the practice of protecting an organization’s IT assets, including computers, networks, and data, from unauthorized access, attacks, and other malicious activities. It involves using a combination of technology, procedures and physical controls to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information. The main purpose is to prevent threats such as data breaches, malware and phishing.
OT security, on the other hand, protects the physical systems that keep operations running – machines, control systems and critical infrastructure. Here, priorities change: availability and safety come first, because time off doesn’t just cost money; it can stop production or put lives at risk.
Many industrial organizations still treat IT and OT as separate domains – one managed by corporate IT teams, the other by engineering departments.
Historically, this separation made sense when OT programs worked in isolation. But that is no longer the case.
Today, around 40pc of OT assets are connected to the internet without adequate security, and by 2025, 70pc of OT systems are expected to be integrated into IT networks.
With 72pc of industrial cybersecurity incidents originating in the IT environment before entering OT systems, a unified, collaborative approach to protecting both areas is growing in importance.
Attackers use weak encryption, unsecured remote access, and legacy systems that were never designed with cyber security in mind. Once inside, they can stop production, damage equipment, or endanger human life or cause environmental damage.
Unique challenges for OT environments:
Legacy technology
Many systems use outdated or unsupported software, sometimes decades old, that cannot be easily patched without affecting performance.
Proprietary protocols
OT devices use vendor-specific communication methods that cannot be detected by standard IT tools.
Availability over confidentiality
Shutting down a process for security reasons may be more dangerous than the attack itself.
Human impact and safety
A compromised industrial regulator could affect the safety of workers or public services.
Limited visibility
Without inventory or surveillance, criminals can remain undetected for months.
Common weaknesses found in OT networks
Integrity360 experts regularly uncover ongoing issues in all industry areas, including:
- Poor network fragmentation, allowing attackers to move from IT to OT.
- Unattached systems and default settings are left unchanged.
- Weak or insecure remote access used by vendors and contractors.
- Lack of inventory or real-time monitoring.
- There is no endpoint protection from malware distribution.
This weakness makes OT areas particularly attractive to threat players looking for maximum disruption.
If operations depend on continuous time, a single breach can lead to lost productivity, security risks, reputational damage and regulatory penalties.
Written by Matthew Olney
Olney is a cybersecurity and communications content expert with extensive experience translating complex security topics into clear, engaging content for technical and executive audiences. As content marketing and social media lead at Integrity360, he works closely with Integrity360 experts to develop thought leadership, technical blogs, webinars and multi-channel campaigns that help organizations understand and respond to emerging cyber threats.
A version of this article previously appeared on the Integrity360 website.
Don’t miss out on the information you need to succeed. Sign up for Daily BriefSilicon Republic’s digest of must-know sci-tech news.
