Join the dots: Operational Technology and Informational Technology

Operational technology (OT) comprises computer systems used to manage industrial processes such as manufacturing production lines, continuous process control (e.g., oil refining), and industrial monitoring (e.g., electricity grids). OT commonly includes industrial control systems (ICS), which are typically implemented as continuous process control using programmable logic controllers (PLCs) or discrete process control systems (DPC), and are often supervised through SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) platforms.

Historically, OT has been deployed and managed separately from information technology (IT) systems (email, HR, finance), largely because OT prioritizes safety and was traditionally protected through isolation and split network infrastructure. The text argues that technology advances now reduce the need for rigid separation and create strong incentives for measured OT/IT integration. With improved firewall and gateway capabilities and modern identity and access management, organizations can implement fine-grained, policy-based access controls and align OT authorization with corporate provisioning mechanisms.

Several trends make integration increasingly valuable: mobile devices (especially tablets) fit SCADA display and control needs; the proliferation of IP-enabled monitoring and control devices increases the importance of secure API management; and cloud services can support OT via patching/updates, automated backups for continuity, and scalable storage for logs and big-data analysis (including Hadoop-style analysis of SCADA logs). The text recommends reviewing the necessity of a separate OT network using a risk-management approach, reassessing remote access patterns (including VPN limitations) and exploring dynamic authorization, and evaluating cloud adoption even if initially limited to data storage. Overall, integration is positioned as a way to improve agility, respond to real-time business requirements, and leverage OT assets more directly for business value.

• Operational technology refers to computer systems used to manage industrial processes.
• OT systems can include manufacturing production line controls, oil refining process control, and electricity grid monitoring.
• Industrial control systems are commonly monitored and managed through SCADA systems.
• Many ICS environments use programmable logic controllers for continuous process control.
• Discrete process control systems are used for batch-style digital control such as counting or package routing.
• OT and IT have historically been managed by different personnel and often placed on split network infrastructure.
• Fine-grained, policy-based access management can be integrated with corporate provisioning mechanisms.
• Many OT installations use VPN technology for remote user access and it has vulnerabilities and operational difficulties.
• Cloud services can support automated backups and cloud storage options for log maintenance and big-data analysis.
• Hadoop-style analysis of SCADA logs is identified as a potentially beneficial use of cloud capabilities.

• “Operational technology refers to computer systems that are used to manage industrial processes.”
• “Now is the time for industrial companies to review their industrial computer systems (ICS) and consider how they could be modified to exploit capabilities on the IT network and leverage their OT assets within the business.”
• “The need for a separate OT network should be reviewed.”
• “With advances in firewall and gateway technology a more secure and less costly infrastructure is probably possible.”
• “Fine-grained, policy based access management is now possible, integrated with corporate provisioning mechanisms.”
• “Mobile devices should also be considered.”
• “SCADA displays are ideally suited to tablet technology and authentication options make access from such devices secure.”
• “Industrial companies should put in place policy for the management of APIs in order to maintain a secure environment.”
• “The possible benefits of Cloud technology should be investigated if only for data storage.”
• “Integration of OT and IT within industrial companies has significant advantages.”