Operational Technology controls physical processes, so cyber risks can disrupt safety, reliability, and availability across connected industrial systems.
Search across headline titles and summaries.
Background for this topic.
Operational technology (OT) comprises hardware and software that monitor and control physical processes—such as PLCs, RTUs, HMIs, SCADA, and DCS—in manufacturing, utilities, transport, and buildings. Its assets include controllers, sensors, actuators, engineering workstations, and the networks linking them. OT depends on precise timing, reliable communications, and safe states; outages or incorrect commands can stop production or affect physical safety, even when little sensitive data is involved.
Security concerns arise where OT connects to enterprise networks, vendor remote-access paths, or internet-facing services. Legacy protocols and long-lived devices may lack authentication, encryption, logging, or practical patching options. A compromise could alter setpoints, inhibit alarms, or disrupt availability, but impact depends on process design and safeguards. Defenders typically segment control networks, restrict and monitor remote access, maintain asset and dependency inventories, use passive monitoring where active scanning is risky, and test recovery and safe manual operation. Vulnerability management must account for maintenance windows, vendor support, and safety validation rather than treating every patch like IT.
Cyberattack on Aliquippa Water Plant Highlights Vulnerabilities in OT SystemsThe onset of war between Israel and Hamas led to a spike in cyberattacks against operational technology, says Microsoft in a warning to critical infrastructure operators about the dangers of internet-exposed operational technology.
IT and OT Teams Rarely Talk and When They Do, They Rarely Agree On AnythingAustralian critical infrastructure organizations must enable greater convergence between their information technology and operational technology teams to better respond to cybersecurity threats to their OT infrastructure, according to a new study by Palo Alto Networks.
Even the Threat of Disruption Plays Into Attackers' Hands, Says Ian Thornton-TrumpDefenders of operational technology environments should look beyond the technical controls and incident response plans they've put in place. They also need to consider how attackers might undermine confidence in the service itself, says Ian Thornton-Trump, CISO of Cyjax.