Operational Technology (OT) systems power critical industries such as energy, manufacturing, and utilities, and as they become more connected, their exposure to cyber risks increases. Unlike traditional IT environments, OT prioritizes continuous operation and safety, yet many industrial systems were designed decades ago without cybersecurity in mind. Modern connectivity now exposes these legacy systems to new and evolving threats that can cause real-world physical damage, operational disruption, and safety risks.
Ransomware groups and nation-state actors increasingly target critical infrastructure, while supply chain vulnerabilities add more points of entry for attackers. Building strong OT cybersecurity begins with full visibility of assets, followed by effective network segmentation to contain threats and secure, monitored remote access to reduce exposure. Patch management must be handled carefully to avoid unnecessary downtime, and incident response procedures need to be tailored specifically for OT environments.
Investing in OT cybersecurity enhances operational resilience, protects essential services, and ensures the safe and reliable performance of the systems that keep our world running.