OT

OT (Operational Technology) refers to technologies used to monitor and control industrial processes.

What is OT?

OT is the set of technologies used to monitor and control industrial processes, including SCADA systems, PLCs and control systems.

Components

Control Systems

  • SCADA: Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition
  • PLCs: Programmable Logic Controllers
  • DCS: Distributed Control Systems
  • HMI: Human Machine Interface

Networks

  • Industrial Ethernet: Industrial Ethernet
  • Fieldbus: Field networks
  • Wireless: Wireless networks
  • Legacy: Legacy systems

Devices

  • Sensors: Sensors
  • Actuators: Actuators
  • Controllers: Controllers
  • Gateways: Gateways

Differences with IT

IT vs OT

AspectITOT
PurposeInformation processingProcess control
Availability99.9%99.99%
UpdatesRegularLimited
SecurityCybersecurityOperational security

Integration

  • IT-OT Convergence: IT-OT convergence
  • Industrial IoT: Industrial Internet of Things
  • Edge Computing: Edge computing
  • Digital Twin: Digital twin

Security

Threats

  • Cyberattacks: Cyber attacks
  • Espionage: Industrial espionage
  • Sabotage: Process sabotage
  • Terrorism: Cyber terrorism

Controls

  • Segmentation: Network segmentation
  • Monitoring: Security monitoring
  • Backup: System backups
  • Recovery: Recovery plans

Standards

Security

  • IEC 62443: Industrial system security
  • NIST SP 800-82: Industrial security guide
  • ISA/IEC 62443: Control system security
  • ISO 27001: Security management system

Communications

  • IEC 61850: Substation communications
  • Modbus: Communication protocol
  • DNP3: Communication protocol
  • OPC UA: Unified OPC architecture

Implementation

Phase 1: Analysis

  • Inventory: System inventory
  • Risks: Risk assessment
  • Requirements: Requirements analysis
  • Resources: Required resources

Phase 2: Design

  • Architecture: Architecture design
  • Security: Security design
  • Networks: Network design
  • Monitoring: Monitoring design

Phase 3: Implementation

  • Deployment: System deployment
  • Configuration: System configuration
  • Testing: Functionality testing
  • Training: Staff training

Phase 4: Operation

  • Monitoring: Continuous monitoring
  • Maintenance: System maintenance
  • Updates: System updates
  • Improvement: Continuous improvement

Best Practices

Security

  • Segmentation: Segment networks
  • Monitoring: Monitor continuously
  • Backup: Backup systems
  • Recovery: Recovery plans

Operations

  • Procedures: Operational procedures
  • Training: Staff training
  • Monitoring: Process monitoring
  • Maintenance: Preventive maintenance

Management

  • Policies: Security policies
  • Procedures: Security procedures
  • Audits: Security audits
  • Improvement: Continuous improvement

References