Whether it is machine self arranged maintenance appointments or digital twin simulation of production line processes, it indicates that the integration of IT (information technology) and OT (operational technology) is bringing new potential to industrial environments.

Through the integration of IT and OT, real-time data generated by operational technology systems such as PLC and SCADA can be utilized to improve business operations. For example, by evaluating these data, companies can better understand their processes and know where and how to optimize workflows to improve efficiency and profits.

IT-OT integration brings new opportunities to factory workshops

Although there are many benefits to working together in IT and OT, this article only takes a few examples of the results you can experience.

By monitoring and controlling all devices, their usage time and energy consumption, better energy management can be achieved.

Quickly respond to operational failures through remote monitoring, access, control, and verification.

Predictive maintenance allows machines to signal when service is needed and automatically order spare parts to prevent downtime.

Demand driven manufacturing supports scalable and flexible production to meet constantly changing customer demands and material bottlenecks.

Event simulation of process adjustment through digital twins, where digital twins serve as virtual models of infrastructure, production lines, etc.

Automatically exchange information between endpoints such as machines, units, or vehicles through machine to machine communication.

When operational technology and IT are integrated, new security issues arise

The merger of IT and OT has significant advantages, but it also brings potential drawbacks, mainly in terms of security.

In the past, operational technology systems have operated in isolation to protect critical business processes (this separation is often referred to as an “air gap”). However, with the interconnection of workflows, the boundary between IT and OT is becoming blurred. This may make operational technology a target of cyber attacks. The method is as follows.

IT-OT interface vulnerability

The interface between OT and IT may become a vulnerability and a potential entry point for attackers. Network attacks on these interfaces may result in operational downtime and significant financial losses.

The OT system has adopted conservative security measures

Compared to IT, operational technology requires additional layers of protection to ensure the safety of operators and the workplace. Although the lack of functional security in physical systems can lead to production downtime, there may also be other reasons. For example, the erroneous behavior of on-site machines may endanger employees and lead to downtime. Therefore, OT systems typically adopt conservative security measures. Network attacks can clearly utilize this method to disrupt operations.

Lack of safety standards

Information and data security are additional security issues that need to be considered. OT systems typically do not have the same security standards as IT. Operational techniques are usually more outdated than information technology; Hardware design can sustain operation for decades. The long lifecycle of systems, machines, and other equipment often means outdated security measures, including:

Outdated software and operating systems

Short or infrequently changed passwords

Old protocols supporting data communication

No data encryption

With the integration of IT-OT, data management has emerged. However, operational technology does not always provide data encryption and generates large amounts of data for real-time use. Network attacks can damage data integrity through manipulation, data theft, espionage activities, and even data destruction.

4 important considerations for improving the safety of IT-OT

Integrating OT and IT requires a comprehensive and unified network security strategy to meet the specific needs of both systems, and Belden can support you in completing the task.

Belden and its sub brands (including macmon) can help you smoothly complete IT-OT integration, allowing you to experience the benefits it provides while minimizing vulnerabilities to OT security and systems.

To help you improve the safety of your operational skills, our team has shared four suggestions.

01 Implement network access control

If the OT system is interconnected and remotely accessible, network access control is crucial for ensuring security. All clients and endpoints must undergo authentication and authorization.

02 Establish network view

In order to make complex systems visible, a complete network view is required. This ensures continuous monitoring of the entire network with heterogeneous system environments.

Please make sure to clearly identify all communication participants and assets, and verify their security status. Despite increasing complexity, this is the only way to achieve transparency in network traffic. All data streams should be visible in both real-time and historical views.

03 Segmented isolation through network

To ensure that machine failures do not affect the entire operation, network segmentation (VLAN management) can be used to form virtual sub parts. This security measure can isolate the affected area from the rest of the network and make data flow controllable.

04 Determine the priority of patch management

It is crucial to regularly update software and protocols in order to reliably protect interconnected OT systems. Specifically, it means converting old machine protocols into secure protocol standards and industry compatible firewalls to verify the importance of operational technology communication protocols.