Robot arm next to industrial worker surrounded by glowing lines.

OT Security: Security for Operational Technology

No industrial production without Operational Technology (OT). But OT plays by its own rules: OT security poses a particular challenge for IT security managers.
Our topic page guides you through the jungle of OT security and summarises the relevant offerings at it-sa 365.

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Special challenges Measures & fitting providers Relevant sectors

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Why OT security has its own rules

Production is the basis of the economy: everyday goods are just as much the result of industrial production as machines or cars. However, operational technology also poses specific requirements in the area of critical infrastructures.
Different technical conditions prevail in the field of OT, posing particular challenges for cybersecurity.
The interaction of analogue systems and digital components leads to a convergence that has produced its own standards and protocols.

Steer, monitor, regulate

Manufacturing systems and digital technology come together in the context of industrial production. Controlling, monitoring and regulating physical processes are at the centre of this, for which specific protocols exist. The term Operational Technology (OT) has become established for this, which describes the use of hardware and software to control production systems.

Terms from the OT world

IT components are usually combined with mechanical and electronic parts using special IT modules that are equipped with special interfaces and components - Industrial Control Systems (ICS). Instead of OT, however, the term operating technology or cyber-physical systems is also used, as well as the term Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA).

Critical Infrastructure inconceivable without OT

The areas of application are very diverse and range from the control of robots in a factory plant to oil refineries, power plants, shipyards or transport and utility companies. The processes and workflows are correspondingly diverse. Industrial control systems can be found in a variety of manufacturing-intensive sectors, especially in critical infrastructure (CNI or KRITIS in German).

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OT security is important for these industries

OT security is important in many industries, as OT technology is used in various sectors of the economy. In industrial production, everyday products are usually created automatically. SMEs often manufacture specialized products with older systems and often do not have IT specialists for ICS or SCADA systems. Start-ups use OT for development and prototypes, although cybersecurity is rarely the focus. The healthcare sector uses complex systems such as X-ray machines, which are difficult to secure and process sensitive data. Energy and water suppliers are part of the KRITIS sector and are central to supply and highly regulated. In the chemical, pharmaceutical and food industries, sensitive raw materials are processed under strict conditions where the smallest deviations can have dramatic consequences.

Factory hall with robot arms in an assembly line.

Security considerations with IT/OT Convergence

Typical methods - how OT systems can be protected

Specialised software systems are often used to protect OT systems from attacks. This also includes intrusion detection systems (IDS). An important measure is adaptive network segmentation, often combined with micro-segmentation. Customised patch management is also part of the OT security repertoire. Numerous providers have now specialised in this area.

Watch the video to find out all the key challenges and solutions for a successful OT security strategy.

More presentations on the topic of OT security

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Expert knowledge in lecture form

Further actions on the topic live and on demand

Would you like to stay informed about the latest findings and trends in the field of IT security? Are you looking for an opportunity to expand your expert knowledge? IT security experts share their expertise with you in interactive live formats. Take the opportunity to ask your questions directly. Afterwards, all presentations are available on demand. Regardless of whether you want to watch a specific presentation again or catch up on a presentation you missed.

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Special challenges for security in the OT segment

Production systems that very often run around the clock and cannot be switched off easily, systems with long service lives of often several decades that are not state of the art are just two examples of the particular challenges for security in the OT segment.

Special hardware components, proprietary protocols and specialised software usually prevent the use of traditional security products in OT and require other solutions, which were also presented at it-sa Expo&Congress 2023.

To the article: Solutions for OT security

Industrial plant with towers and pipes, overlaid with digital symbols and networked lines.

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Why OT security has its own rules

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OT security is important for these industries

Typical methods - how OT systems can be protected

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Expert knowledge in lecture form

Further actions on the topic live and on demand

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Special challenges for security in the OT segment

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More topics

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Typical methods - how OT systems can be protected

Expert knowledge in lecture form

Further actions on the topic live and on demand

Special challenges for security in the OT segment

More topics