To better leverage the power of data and digital services, enterprises are increasingly converging operational technology (OT) and IT networks in pursuit of efficiencies 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a wider range of cyber threats, including denial of service disruptions and ransomware attacks, and OT systems, often outdated and originally designed to operate in air-gapped environments, can introduce new vulnerabilities to corporate networks.

As such, the growing integration of OT into IT networks is making the security of operational technology systems a rising concern for mainstream CISOs — not just those who work in petrochemicals, utilities, or other traditionally industrial domains. That’s because a growing variety of locations, from data centers to office buildings, are becoming more reliant on OT systems for everything from HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) controls to building access, among other uses of OT.