Overview
OT (operational technology), is the practice of interdependent hardware and software to control industrial equipment. OT devices and software primarily interact with the physical world.
OT includes industrial control systems (ICSs) like programmable logic controllers (PLCs), distributed control systems (DCSs), and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems.
OT environments supervise physical processes such as manufacturing, energy, medicine, building management, and other industries.
Connections for each device in enterprise operations (i.e. computers, peripherals, heat sensors, security systems), as well as the manufacturing process (assembly, logistics, and physical building), introduce new points of network access. These access points need to be secured to be sure that cyber intruders do not find a way to tamper with or destroy internal operating systems.
What’s the difference between OT, IT, IoT, and IIoT?
The distinction between OT (operational technology) and IT (information technology).
- IT deals with information and data systems.
- OT interfaces and communicates with the physical world.
OT networks communicate with enterprise operations and physical machines, and IT networks deal with information and data.
Think of devices like our computers, vehicles, etc.
The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the process of connecting everyday physical objects to the internet—from common household objects like lightbulbs; to healthcare assets like medical devices; to wearables, smart devices, and even smart cities. These IoT-enabled devices are connected to and receive and transfer data over wireless IT networks with limited human intervention.
A subsection of IoT, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) refers to connected devices that are used in manufacturing, energy, and other industrial settings.
IIoT is commonly associated with OT and is significant for bringing more automation and self-monitoring to industrial machines.
Combined with edge computing, IIoT helps manufacturers solve problems faster by transforming operations, assisting end-users in making business decisions, and making plants more productive.
Hospitals provide an illustration of all the internet connections that must be secured. Health care workers rely upon monitoring instruments to keep patient heart rates, blood pressure, breathing, etc. in acceptable ranges, and send an alert if there is a problem. Additionally, doctors, nurses, and staff record personal medication, statistics, and instructions in a patient health record. Billing adds insurance information and charges. Patients can then access their personal health record (PHR) from home 24 hours a day on a wide variety of computers and mobile devices, thus exposing the data to the internet again. Doctors e-prescribe medications that must be accurately dispensed by pharmacies via the internet. The physical structure of the hospital must be temperature and security controlled, with only appropriate people given access to storage areas, operating rooms, and restricted access to patient rooms. All of these systems require secure connections for the health and safety of patients, staff, and visitors.
Cyber security is the underpinning of all of these important operational technologies. IoTech Protect applies its extensive In-Source solutions to all IoT security challenges by supplementing and expanding companies’ in-house IT security capacity.
IoTech Protect is involved in applying best practices toward mitigation of IoT, OT, IIoT related vulnerabilities.
Our cyber security team stands ready to help meet your needs, with:
- Integrating IoT devices with third-party and in-house applications
- Compliance with regulatory and industry standards and best
- Managing internal and external threats
- Maintaining online hygiene
- Performing analysis of cybersecurity infrastructure
- Structural assessments
- Customized cybersecurity services
- Project management and implementation
In-Source Cyber Protection is a comprehensive and agile platform, developed by our cybersecurity team, and recognized for its cybercrime detection and prevention experience. We enhance your existing cybersecurity resources and systems with an infrastructure you control and manage in-house. IoTech Protect will support development and execution of these long-range strategic plans, helping you adapt to the ever-changing threat landscape.
Contact Us to learn how we can help mitigate risk and protect your online presence.