What is IT/OT Convergence?

Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) systems have evolved independently. IT enables new products and services through networking and digitized processes, while OT enhances safety and automation in manufacturing and heavy industry. Though traditionally distinct, IT and OT are now converging and enabling use cases where the two technologies complement each other by sharing functionality and services across systems.

This IT/OT convergence integrates IT system functionality with OT systems to connect, transport, and analyze data at scale. Businesses have already capitalized on digital transformation through IT, and now organizations are achieving similar gains by digitizing and integrating OT systems with IT.

This article explores the advantages and challenges that come with IT/OT convergence and how organizations can take advantage of integrating IT/OT systems without compromising their security posture.

Understanding IT and OT Systems

IT and OT have traditionally been siloed in many ways. Not only are IT and OT systems typically deployed in different physical locations, there are often different teams responsible for maintaining each type of system. Before we jump into the current state of IT/OT convergence, let’s take a step back and examine each one as a standalone system type. 

Information Technology (IT)

IT systems, such as databases, servers, and their applications, are primarily designed to store, process, and present data through the use of software applications.

These systems typically use networking infrastructure to ensure seamless connectivity and robust security for their applications. IT systems empower businesses to develop essential internal and external processes and products that drive operational success. The connectivity and remote management features of IT systems significantly enhance the functionality and integration of OT systems and devices, unlocking substantial operational advantages. 

Operational Technology (OT)

OT systems are designed to control industrial machines and processes, such as those involved in manufacturing or controlling physical infrastructure like power or water stations. These systems are often required to interact with powerful machines through interfaces such as industrial control systems (ICS) or physical sensors and inputs with supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems. 

OT systems are often unique for the organization or process they are designed for, with critical requirements around safety for people interacting around OT systems and keeping expensive machines as productive as possible to reduce the cost of operating the systems.

Defining IT/OT Convergence

Convergence describes the integration and interoperation of IT/OT systems. Through the use of networking, data storage, and processing available in IT systems, physical OT devices and sensors are made remotely accessible for OT system operators. This saves time and cost by reducing the physical management of assets and allowing operators to control, manage, and monitor them remotely in real time.

Driving Factors of IT/OT Convergence

Three key factors have come together to create both demand and capabilities for effective IT/OT convergence:  

• Digital transformation initiatives seen in IT systems and other business functions have encouraged organizations to seek these benefits with OT systems, too.
• Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing bring connectivity and remote control to OT devices by leveraging IT systems for scalable management of manufacturing and industrial machines.
• Real-time data analysis and predictive maintenance unlock optimization opportunities by collecting OT device and sensor data in real time to monitor for changes and identify machines needing maintenance before breakdowns occur.

Challenges and Technical Differences When Integrating OT and IT

Organizations attempting to converge their IT and OT systems should consider their unique processes, purpose, and strengths. Common roadblocks during IT/OT convergence initiatives include: 

• Security of Internet of Things (IoT) systems requires a high degree of security, as each device could be an endpoint that can be compromised to access an organization's systems.
• Integration with existing OT systems allows organizations to achieve full cost optimizations by increasing the efficiency or productivity of their existing devices and processes without needing to replace them completely at an increased cost.
• Siloed departments occur frequently between IT and OT teams. IT/OT systems converge processes and workflows from one team, but now have shared responsibility across teams.
• Training and staffing must be managed as both IT and OT system teams need new skills to implement and maintain the converged system in the future.

Benefits of IT/OT Convergence

Fundamentally, IT/OT convergence breaks down organizational silos, streamlines operations, and empowers teams with information they can use to improve business outcomes. Below, we take a closer look at three key IT/OT convergence benefits. 

Improved Operational Efficiency

Integrating OT devices and sensors enhances visibility into how these resources operate in real time, allowing fewer operators to manage more resources or even review resources to identify faults or maintenance needs without physical inspection.

Faster Decision-Making

IT integration enables real-time data collection, creating a unified data platform. With higher-quality data, this platform allows OT system operators to make faster and more informed decisions than physical inspections.

Cost Reduction and Resource Optimization

Integrating data from OT devices and sensors with IT-enabled remote management capabilities reduces maintenance costs and asset management for operators. Remote monitoring in real time also allows operators to optimize devices and processes without leaving the control room.

Cybersecurity Implications of IT/OT Convergence

Through the convergence of IT and OT systems, more devices are introduced to the network, increasing an organization’s attack surface. All IT design considerations must ensure that OT devices are adequately protected to avoid unauthorized access to critical infrastructure or control systems.

Common Security Challenges Related to IT/OT Convergence 

As organizations converge IT and OT systems, many tactical roadblocks can emerge. Four of the most common cybersecurity challenges teams should consider are: 

• Legacy OT Systems: OT systems often lack modern security features or the latest updates, exposing compromised devices or services to critical IT infrastructure.
• Inconsistent Security Policies: IT system administrators may find it difficult to consistently enforce a unified security standard across OT devices and sensors integrated into the business. 
• Interoperability and Standardization: Converged IT and OT systems may face issues with interoperability between software and hardware that is being integrated into IT networks. During integration, such challenges can cause duplication of functionality and services, leading to a lack of standardization across an organization or even different devices within an OT system.
• Skills Gap: IT teams integrating OT systems or devices may lack the expertise or domain knowledge to understand the devices and systems.

Key Strategies for Securely Converging IT and OT

Organizations looking to converge their IT and OT systems should consider the following strategies to help them successfully integrate these two differing systems and processes.

Unified Visibility and Inventory Management

For converged IT and OT systems, having a unified view of your assets in real time will be key to ensuring the security of devices and systems by monitoring them for unauthorized access or unexpected behavior. By being unable to manage the IT/OT system in a single system, organizations are missing out on the efficiency gains from converging their systems.

Robust Segmentation

Segmentation of devices and services in IT networks should adopt a least-privilege approach, restricting attackers' ability to move laterally and compromise additional systems if a breach occurs.

Comprehensive Threat Detection and Monitoring

Organizations integrating OT and IT systems must prioritize continuous monitoring and anomaly detection tailored to these converged environments. This ensures rapid identification of domain-specific threats and detection of attackers exploiting either network.

Cross-Domain Training

Effective convergence relies on knowledge-sharing between teams. IT teams need insight into OT processes, while OT teams require cybersecurity basics and familiarity with IT workflows to sustain integration.

Incident Response Planning

Given the persistent threat of security incidents, organizations should develop and rehearse unified response strategies. Coordinated IT and OT drills will enable swift, effective action when incidents arise.

Embracing Solutions To Support IT/OT Convergence

Organizations wanting IT/OT convergence must consider how they will secure and optimize the OT devices joining their IT network for enhanced threat detection and incident response. Successful and secure convergence hinges on eliminating departmental silos and for IT and OT teams to understand each other's workflows and cybersecurity fundamentals.

CrowdStrike Falcon® for XIoT provides centralized monitoring and real-time asset tracking to bridge the gap between IT and OT. CrowdStrike offers unified threat detection, safeguarding the critical intersection between IT infrastructures and OT operations to reduce vulnerabilities at the boundary between IT and OT significantly. CrowdStrike's endpoint protection with OT security capabilities streamlines security integration with incident response, ensuring threats are identified and mitigated swiftly, minimizing disruptions.

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