To better harness the power of data and digital services, enterprises are increasingly converging operational technology (OT) and IT networks in pursuit of efficiency and business value.

But connecting previously isolated OT systems to IT networks exposes them to a wider range of cyber threats, including denial-of-service disruptions and ransomware attacks, and OT systems, often outdated and originally designed to operate in airless environments, can introduce new vulnerabilities in corporate networks.

As such, the increasing integration of OT into IT networks makes the security of operational technology systems a growing concern for mainstream CISOs – not just those working in petrochemicals, utilities or other traditional industrial fields. That’s because a growing variety of locations, from data centers to office buildings, are becoming increasingly dependent on OT systems for everything from HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) controls to to access buildings, among other uses of OT.