The danger of treating OT like IT

Operational Technology (OT) is not IT. This is the baseline for the purpose of this article.

Most companies still approach OT cybersecurity the same way they approach IT cybersecurity. This practice, still prevalent in most enterprises, can be extremely dangerous and can cause not only downtime but also physical damage to the systems, or even endanger the safety of personnel.

To understand this, we need to understand the key differences between IT and OT.

IT – Information Technology, is the general usage of computers, networks and services to manage, process and secure data. The hardware IT is built around are computers, smartphones, servers, routers, laptops etc. The software is regularly and automatically updated and patched. A priority for IT security is protecting data, digital services and user accounts.

On the other hand, OT – Operational Technology is the usage of technology to monitor and control physical devices. Unlike IT, the hardware for OT can be vast - starting with individual PLCs, building up to industrial systems, financial networks or power grids. OT software doesn’t have to be up to date; it must be compatible with the hardware and keep the systems running safely and smoothly. Patching this software usually requires entire systems to be shut down completely and rebooted. The priority for OT is safety, continuity of work and the integrity of physical devices.

So why is it so dangerous to treat OT like IT?

Because the priorities of these systems are fundamentally different.

In IT environments, the key priority is protecting data. Therefore, isolating or shutting down affected parts of the network are common protocols. Data security is a priority, and to that end, patches and some downtime, while undesirable, are acceptable. IT environments are also built for interconnectivity and therefore have some built-in security protocols and fail-safes.

In OT environments, however, the priority is the safe and continuous functioning of physical systems. Downtime in these environments is far more serious. Interruptions can halt industrial production, disrupt energy distribution, damage equipment or even create safety risks for personnel operating the systems.

At the same time, many industrial systems were not originally designed to operate in highly interconnected digital environments. Systems that were once isolated are now increasingly connected to corporate networks and, in some cases, to the internet. This connectivity enables remote monitoring, predictive maintenance and improved operational efficiency. However, it also significantly expands the potential attack vectors and threat surface.

IT cybersecurity protocols are simply not compatible with OT. Applying traditional IT cybersecurity practices to these environments can therefore create new risks rather than reduce them. Standard IT security tools and protocols may overlook vulnerabilities specific to industrial systems or introduce operational disruptions that these systems were never designed to tolerate.

Operational Technology requires specialized cybersecurity strategies and defense mechanisms designed specifically for industrial environments. Organizations must recognize OT as a distinct security domain with its own priorities and operational constraints.

While assigning IT teams to manage OT security may appear efficient, it can introduce serious operational and safety risks if the unique characteristics of OT systems are not properly understood.

Organizations responsible for critical infrastructure and industrial systems must therefore adopt cybersecurity strategies that recognize the unique realities of operational technology.

Downtime in OT means downtime in everyday life.