What is Information Technology (IT)?
Information Technology (IT) systems are the computer assets that most people use every day. Endpoints, networking infrastructure, enterprise data centers, and cloud infrastructure are all examples of IT systems. In general, IT networks are necessary to support the core function of an organization. IT assets support daily work and are also responsible for monitoring, managing, and IT security.
What is Operational Technology (OT)?
Operational Technology (OT) devices and industrial control systems (ICS) include most computer systems that can have physical effects. OT assets are used in critical infrastructure, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and similar environments. OT systems are used to monitor and manage devices, processes, and infrastructure. For example, OT systems can be used to control assembly lines or provide critical safety features on trains and similar transportation infrastructure.
The Difference
IT and OT systems can include similar devices, such as traditional computer systems, but they have different purposes. Some key differences between them include:
- Focus: IT systems are typically focused on working with and accessing data. OT systems, on the other hand, have physical impacts.
- Uniqueness: IT systems are off-the-shelf solutions such as laptops or servers. OT systems are often custom-built and designed to be long-lived.
- Updateability: IT systems are frequently updated and replaced. However, OT systems have high availability requirements and tight maintenance windows, meaning that they are infrequently updated due to the potential risk of outages.
Why IT and OT Collaboration Is Necessary
In the past, IT and OT environments were typically isolated from one another. This “air gap” helped to protect OT systems from potential cyber threats. Since these systems are often long-lived and infrequently updated, they commonly contain exploitable vulnerabilities.
However, in recent years, the IT/OT air gap has been dissolving. The reason for this is that greater collaboration between the two environments can provide significant benefits to the business, including:
- Greater Efficiency: IT/OT integration enables real-time monitoring of OT environments from IT systems. This enables operators to rapidly detect issues and make adjustments as needed, increasing efficiency and effectiveness.
- Decreased Overhead: Standalone IT and OT networks may have required duplicate systems with the same role in each network. IT/OT convergence enables reduced overhead by eliminating these redundant systems.
- Security Monitoring: Collaboration between IT and OT environments provides security personnel with greater visibility into OT networks and systems. This can enable greater OT security monitoring and the potential to more effectively prevent, detect, and respond to cybersecurity threats.
Why Cybersecurity Is Essential in OT and IT
Cybersecurity is essential in any computer environment. Computer systems face a wide range of potential cybersecurity threats, and cybersecurity is necessary in both IT and OT environments.
However, the nature of OT environments makes them uniquely exposed to cyber threats. Long-lived, infrequently updated systems are much more likely to contain software vulnerabilities that could be exploited by an attacker.
At the same time, these systems have high availability requirements and operate critical infrastructure, which exacerbates the potential impacts of a cybersecurity incident. A successful cyberattack could delay or shut down operations or have the potential to pose a risk to health and safety due to these systems’ abilities to interact with the physical world.
As IT and OT environments become more interconnected, OT security monitoring and management become more critical. Instead of relying on the “air gap” to protect OT systems, organizations will need to ensure that they can find and block attacks before they can exploit these vulnerable devices.
IT and OT Cybersecurity with Check Point
Cybersecurity is essential in both IT and OT environments, and Check Point offers solutions tailored to the security needs of both. At the network level, it’s critical for an organization to be able to identify and block threats before they reach vulnerable systems. Check Point Quantum Network Security provides the visibility and control needed to achieve this. Learn more by signing up for a free demo today.
In addition to its numerous IT security offerings, Check Point also offers security solutions tailored to OT/ICS systems. To learn more about how Check Point can help secure your OT environments, sign up for a free ICS security demo today.
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