Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) operated independently for decades. As digital transformation and increased interconnectivity push organizations to connect corporate IT systems with operational systems, the long lines between them appear to be disappearing. This comes at a particularly crucial time, especially when 94% of leaders expect AI to be the most influential force shaping cybersecurity in 2026.
Today, corporate networks and industrial environments are susceptible to cyberattacks, with IT and OT joining forces to strengthen the organization’s overall cybersecurity posture. The IT/OT combined market is expected to surpass $1 trillion by 2030, demonstrating the imminent need and value of protecting sensitive data and critical business operations hosting data.
This guide defines IT and OT, their key differences, why cybersecurity is essential to regulate and secure both, and much more.
Information Technology (IT) refers to the tools and technology an organization utilizes to communicate and exchange information with hardware, software, networks, systems, data storage platforms, etc. It enables IT teams to leverage internet-enabled devices such as smartphones, computers, servers, cloud systems, and others to smoothly operate digital operations and manage data.
To secure data in transit and at rest, IT security ensures the organization’s IT infrastructure withstands emerging cyber threats, keeping core business data safe and secure.
What is Operational Technology?
Operational Technology (OT) refers to the use of software, hardware, systems, data storage devices, and IT equipment to monitor and control core physical devices and cloud infrastructure, ensuring all processes, whether on-premises or cloud environments, operate safely without operational disruptions and compromise.
OT security overhauls an organization’s cybersecurity posture by implementing security strategies like network segmentation, regular risk and vulnerability assessments, and real-time monitoring.
Key Differences Between IT and OT Cybersecurity
IT and OT cybersecurity are interlinked. Although designed for distinct purposes, they are both susceptible to cyberattacks, which undermine data confidentiality, integrity, equipment uptime, and business continuity. Here are their key differences:
| |
IT Cybersecurity
|
OT Cybersecurity
|
| Primary focus |
Protecting core business data, networks and systems through data confidentiality, integrity, and availability |
Ensures physical operations operate without disruptions and run safely and reliably |
| What it protects |
All digital devices such as networks, systems, internet-enabled devices, servers, databases, etc |
Physical hardware, software, and processes, ensuring operational uptime, data availability and integrity at all times |
| What a cyberattack can cause |
Unauthorized data access, data exposure and loss, downtime, financial and reputational damage |
Operations shutdown, dysfunction, permanent damage or closure, safety compromise, environmental impact |
| Updates and patching |
Frequent patches containing bug fixes and security updates happen without any downtime |
Infrequent updates due to the risk of operational disruptions and legacy equipment |
| Incident response |
IT teams can remotely isolate breach incidents and restore systems quickly |
Requires manual involvement and control to avoid catastrophic physical and environmental impact |
Why Cybersecurity is Essential in IT And OT
Cybersecurity is a core component of all modern organizations, irrespective of their size and function. It’s a non-negotiable imperative in today’s cyber risk environment, where cybercrime globally costs $10.5 trillion and is expected to grow by about 15% per year.
Whether it’s IT or OT, cybersecurity is designed to protect core business data and operations from inadvertent exposure and downtime. Here’s a breakdown of what it really helps with:
| |
Importance of Cybersecurity in IT
|
Importance of Cybersecurity in OT
|
| Primary protection |
Protects core business data, particularly sensitive data of both customers and the business. |
Protects equipment, software and hardware connected to the broader corporate network from unauthorized interference |
| Prevents disruptions |
Protects systems, networks, and databases from downtime due to a cyberattack |
Prevents core business equipment disruptions that could halt critical services |
| Minimizes damage |
Improves overall cybersecurity posture, which drastically minimizes threat vectors, financial loss, incidents, etc |
Reduces the risk of physical damage to business-critical infrastructure, equipment, machines and systems |
| Regulatory compliance |
Ensures cybersecurity practices and measures comply with evolving data privacy laws |
Ensures secure remote access and protects connected systems and equipment from malicious intruders |
Why is IT and OT Security Collaboration Important?
Traditionally, OT infrastructure used to operate independently. However, they no longer operate in an isolated environment. Several business-critical pieces of equipment are interconnected to the main IT infrastructure, where real-time monitoring and reporting are shared with remote teams across the board.
To minimize network gaps and cybersecurity incidents, as well as improve transparency and accountability, IT and OT work closely to improve an organization’s overall cybersecurity posture. Here’s why their collaboration is critical:
a. Prevents cyberattacks and downtime
Attackers can target IT and OT together and independently. If IT security is inferior, attackers have an easy route to OT infrastructure. Hence, a unified security posture is crucial to ensure both operate smoothly with consistent security guidelines. Collaboration also ensures teams at both ends share vital information to thwart potential unintentional downtime.
b. Improves transparency and incident response
Visibility is crucial for teams engaged in security upkeep. Collaboration ensures that teams at both IT and OT exchange crucial security information, monitor security in real-time and understand the role of each to reduce security incidents.
c. Secure remote access and regulatory compliance
At times, OT systems require support from third-party vendors who need remote access to business-critical systems. Cybersecurity helps implement additional security guardrails, such as multi-factor authentication and role-based authorized access, to prevent unauthorized access. Additionally, joint collaboration helps ensure compliance with regulatory standards without complications.
Strengthen Cybersecurity Posture with Securiti DSPM
Securiti’s Data Security Posture Management provides holistic insight into the security posture of your multicloud, SaaS, on-prem, data lakes and warehouses and data streaming environments.
With Securiti, organizations can swiftly discover data assets, classify data, detect risk, and automatically remediate misconfigurations, ensuring that their sensitive data stays protected.
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