Cyber attacks are escalating in frequency and sophistication, with IT and OT systems becoming  prime targets. As digital and physical worlds merge, the line between these domains blurs, creating new vulnerabilities for unprepared organizations.

At Group-IB, our decades of expertise and technology innovations prime us to defend against the most advanced threats to cybersecurity systems. To build a truly effective defense, you need to understand the nuances of both IT and OT, how they intersect, and why partnering with seasoned experts is indispensable.

What is Operational Technology (OT) in Cybersecurity?

What is OT in cyber security? Operational Technology (OT) refers to the technology used to control and monitor physical processes in industrial settings. OT is the backbone of critical infrastructure, automating and monitoring industrial control processes across sectors like manufacturing, transportation, and utilities. These systems include industrial control systems (ICS), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) software.

OT systems control and monitor physical processes in factories, transportation networks, and power plants, directly impacting millions of lives daily. However, their increasing connectivity exposes them to significant cyber risks. A successful attack on OT systems can halt physical processes, potentially causing widespread disruption, environmental damage, or even endangering human safety.

The unique role of OT in controlling physical processes necessitates specialized security measures. These must account for the real-world implications of system compromises and the specific operational requirements of industrial environments.

What is Information Technology (IT)?

Information Technology (IT) encompasses the digital infrastructure that stores, manages, and communicates information within organizations and between individuals. Common IT assets include end-user devices (computers, smartphones), servers, databases, networks, and cloud systems.

While OT oversees industrial processes, IT supports daily business operations and our daily digital interactions through functions such as email, software applications, and data analysis. IT cybersecurity focuses on protecting the integrity of sensitive data, including employee records and financial information, rather than physical functions.

OT vs. IT: Cybersecurity

IT and OT both aim to protect valuable assets, but their approaches differ significantly due to the distinct systems they manage. Understanding the difference between IT and OT is fundamental to building an ironclad cybersecurity strategy. Let’s explore these key distinctions in detail.

How OT and IT Differ

Examining the core differences between IT vs. OT in cybersecurity reveals many important distinctions:

Operating Environments

OT systems thrive in rugged industrial settings, enduring extreme temperatures, vibrations, and electromagnetic interference. These environments depend on specialized equipment like PLCs and devices communicating via industrial protocols.

IT systems, in contrast, typically function in controlled environments like offices. They protect standard devices such as cloud infrastructure, servers, PCs, smartphones, and printers, which communicate through widely adopted protocols like HTTP and SSH.

This stark environmental contrast demands that OT cyber security solutions withstand harsh conditions and seamlessly integrate with existing industrial processes. IT security, on the other hand, can leverage more standardized, off-the-shelf solutions compatible with common operating systems and network protocols.

Focus on Safety vs. Confidentiality

Operational technology cyber security prioritizes safety and availability above all else. Its primary mission is averting disruptions that could lead to physical harm, environmental damage, or substantial financial losses. For instance, a cyberattack on a power plant’s OT systems could potentially unleash widespread blackouts or equipment failure.

IT cybersecurity focuses on the CIA triad: Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability of data. It shields sensitive information from theft, unauthorized access, or manipulation. While an IT system breach might result in data loss or financial fraud, it rarely poses immediate physical threats.

Frequency of Events vs. Potential Impact

IT systems face a barrage of cybersecurity events daily, from login attempts to potential malware infections. Security tools often detect and neutralize these events automatically.

OT environments encounter fewer cybersecurity events, but a successful attack can yield devastating consequences. Any interruption of OT cybersecurity, meaning even a minor breach, could disrupt critical infrastructure, halt production lines, or jeopardize lives. This profound difference necessitates a more proactive and preventive approach to OT security.

Patching Requirements

IT systems typically accommodate regular patching and updates with minimal disruption to business operations. Many organizations implement automated patching schedules, ensuring systems remain current and protected against the latest vulnerabilities.

OT systems, however, demand meticulous planning and testing before applying patches. Unscheduled downtime for updates can incur hefty costs in industrial settings, and patches risk disrupting the delicate balance of interconnected systems. Consequently, OT environments may operate with known vulnerabilities for extended periods, necessitating compensating controls to mitigate risks.

Protections

IT security leans heavily on network-based defenses such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and endpoint protection. These solutions are engineered to detect and prevent a wide spectrum of cyber threats targeting data and digital assets.

While incorporating some IT and cybersecurity principles, OT security requires specialized solutions that comprehend industrial protocols and can monitor for anomalies in physical processes. OT security tools must detect both cyber and physical threats, including unauthorized changes to control system parameters or unusual equipment behavior.

How OT and IT are Similar

When examining IT vs. OT, several fundamental cybersecurity principles overlap:

  • Risk management: Both domains require in-depth knowledge of potential dangers and weak points to create and implement security strategies that truly protect systems and data.
  • Defense-in-depth: To provide comprehensive protection, layered security approaches are vital in both OT and IT environments.
  • Access control: Implementing strict user authentication and authorization is essential in both domains to prevent unauthorized access.
  • Incident response: Both OT and IT require well-defined incident response plans to quickly detect, contain, and mitigate security breaches.
  • Compliance: Both sectors must adhere to various regulatory standards and industry best practices to ensure adequate security measures are in place.

The commonalities between OT and IT underscores the importance of a unified approach to security across an organization’s entire digital landscape. By recognizing these shared principles, you can develop more cohesive and effective cybersecurity strategies.

IT/OT Convergence in Cybersecurity

As organizations connect OT systems to the Internet for remote monitoring and control, the boundaries between IT and OT continue to blur. This convergence requires a unified approach to cybersecurity. With both IT and OT systems vulnerable to cyberattacks, hackers can exploit weaknesses in one system to infiltrate the other.

However, this intertwining of technologies also presents an opportunity. IT systems can analyze data from OT systems in real time, enabling faster detection and mitigation of potential security incidents. For instance, IT systems can monitor network traffic and identify anomalies that may signal an attack targeting OT systems, such as unusual patterns in control system data.

The Importance of IT and OT Collaboration

The convergence of operational technology, information technology, and cyber security makes collaboration between these departments essential for effective cybersecurity. Here’s how:

  • Improved Threat Detection: By combining IT’s threat intelligence and security expertise with OT’s deep understanding of operational systems, organizations can proactively identify and address security gaps.
  • Enhanced Incident Response: A coordinated effort ensures faster response times and minimizes damage from cyberattacks impacting either IT or OT systems.
  • Unified Security Policies: Implementing consistent security policies across both IT and OT environments reduces the attack surface and strengthens the overall security posture.

This collaboration fosters a more comprehensive and resilient cybersecurity strategy. By leveraging the strengths of both domains, you can better protect your entire digital ecosystem against evolving cyber threats.

What are the Implications of IT/OT Convergence?

As IT and OT systems become increasingly interconnected, organizations face new opportunities and challenges:

  • Broader Threat Landscape: Connected OT systems now encounter cyber risks typically associated with IT networks.
  • Security Management Complexities: The diverse needs, technologies, and operating environments of OT and IT make unified security more challenging for security teams.
  • Operational Efficiencies: Despite challenges, this integration can significantly improve operations, reduce costs, and enhance decision-making through shared data.
  • Improved System Oversight: IT tools offer valuable insights into OT system performance and security, enabling proactive measures and quicker threat detection.

This shift in the digital ecosystem demands a comprehensive approach that addresses weaknesses across both domains while maximizing the benefits of their synergy.

IT and OT Cybersecurity with Group-IB

At Group-IB, we provide intelligence-driven solutions to protect your organization’s critical infrastructure and digital assets. Our advanced technology and expert knowledge offer comprehensive cybersecurity services tailored to the unique challenges of today’s integrated IT and OT environments.

Our threat intelligence platform delivers real-time insights to identify and counter cyber threats tailored to your organization and specific industry landscape, while our unified cybersecurity platform combines IT and OT security measures for a cohesive defense strategy. We prioritize safety, confidentiality, and operational continuity, ensuring your systems remain secure against evolving cyber threats.

For end-to-end security solutions or expert guidance on building a comprehensive strategy, co-managing security services, or auditing and refining operational processes, please view our dedicated solutions page.