IT vs OT: Information Technology (IT) vs. Operational Technology (OT) Cybersecurity

Operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) security protect devices, networks, systems, and users.

Cybersecurity has long been critical in IT and helps organizations keep sensitive data safe, ensure users connect to the internet securely, and detect and prevent potential cyberattacks. Cybersecurity is also vital to OT systems to protect critical infrastructure. Any momentary delay or period of unplanned downtime can cause manufacturing plants, power plants, or water supply systems to shut down.

Protecting these systems becomes even more critical as they become more connected, which opens up new vulnerabilities for cyber criminals to exploit and gain access to industrial networks. As a result, attacks are increasing, with more than 90% of organizations that operate OT systems having experienced one or more damaging security events in a two-year period, according to Ponemon Institute research. Furthermore, at least 50% of those organizations suffered OT system infrastructure attacks that led to equipment or plant downtime.

Cyberattacks against OT systems and critical infrastructure are also ranked among the top five most significant risks by the World Economic Forum, alongside climate change, geopolitical tension, and natural disasters. More about Cybersecurity for Industrial Control Systems

The line between operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) security is being blurred by OT systems introducing connected devices and the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Industrial IoT (IIoT), which connects devices, machines, and sensors and shares real-time data across organizations.

IT and OT security have key differences and similarities, from the systems they protect to the vulnerabilities they present.

There are significant OT and IT differences. The primary ones are that OT systems are autonomous, isolated, self-contained, and run on proprietary software. In contrast, IT systems are connected, lack autonomy, and typically run on popular operating systems like iOS and Windows.

Possibly the most significant difference between IT and OT cybersecurity is the environment they operate in and serve to protect. OT cybersecurity safeguards industrial environments, which typically involve machinery, PLCs, and communication across industrial protocols. OT systems do not run on regular operating systems, often lack traditional security tools, and are usually programmed differently from conventional computers.

Conversely, IT cybersecurity protects common devices like desktop and laptop computers, keyboards, printers, and smartphones. It secures everyday environments like the cloud and servers using standard solutions like antivirus and firewalls, as well as popular communication protocols like Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), and Secure Shell (SSH).

The purpose of OT vs. IT security also differs based on what they aim to achieve for organizations. The primary objective of OT cybersecurity is to ensure the availability and safety of critical equipment and processes. It maintains physical systems that require meticulous, ongoing control to prevent significant financial damage caused by ceased production. IT cybersecurity focuses more on confidentiality by helping organizations store and transmit data securely.

Another noteworthy OT vs. IT difference is the type of security events they defend against. OT cybersecurity is typically put in place to prevent highly destructive events. OT systems generally have fewer entry points, yet the magnitude of a compromise is comparatively greater—even a minor incident can result in vast financial losses and can affect an entire nation through a power outage or water contamination, for example.

IT systems tend to have more gateways and touchpoints because of the internet, all of which a cyber criminal can exploit, which means more security risks and vulnerabilities.

The nature of OT and IT systems also means they have very different patching requirements. OT networks are typically rarely patched as doing so may require the entire production process to be halted. As a result, components do not always need to be updated, which in turn means they can be operating with unpatched vulnerabilities that increase the chances of a successful exploit.

By comparison, IT components are rapidly evolving, so they need to be patched regularly. For example, many IT vendors have designated “patch days,” and providers like Apple and Microsoft periodically release new versions of their software systems to keep users up to date.