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Definition of Operational Technology (OT)

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Definition of Operational Technology (OT)

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Operational Technology (OT) refers to the use of computers and software to monitor and control physical processes, devices, and infrastructure in real-time. Unlike Information Technology (IT), which primarily deals with data processing and information management, OT focuses on managing and controlling industrial systems, machinery, and processes.

The key characteristics of Operational Technology include:

1. Real-time Control: OT systems are designed to monitor and control physical processes and equipment in real-time, often with high precision and responsiveness.

2. Integration with Physical Systems: OT systems are closely integrated with physical equipment, such as machinery, sensors, actuators, and industrial control systems (ICS).

3. Industrial Applications: OT is commonly used in industrial settings such as manufacturing plants, power plants, transportation systems, utilities, and critical infrastructure.

4. Safety and Reliability: OT systems are designed with a strong emphasis on safety, reliability, and fault tolerance, as they often control critical processes and infrastructure.

5. Scalability and Interoperability: OT systems need to be scalable to accommodate large-scale industrial operations and interoperable with other systems and devices within the industrial environment.

Overall, Operational Technology plays a crucial role in optimizing industrial processes, enhancing productivity, ensuring safety, and enabling automation in various sectors of the economy.

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What is Operational Technology? An Ultimate Guide for Engineers

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Tenable has curated a guide all about Operational Technology (OT) to help you learn all about it! Click here to check out the Operational Technology guide!

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As industrial operations are digitizing, OT assets and industrial networks need a strong IT foundation to facilitate uptime and help enable industrial processes to run even faster to increase output. More than ever, IT and OT teams must collaborate to deploy a modern, managed, agile, and secure wired and wireless network infrastructure that will help grow industrial productivity and lower operational costs.

Implementing a modern infrastructure, and digitizing in general, isn't an easy transition for OT. It requires a strategic, security-focused approach to reduce the risk of creating digital blind spots when connecting industrial assets and bringing more data and insights to IT and OT teams.

IT can leverage the skills and expertise acquired in deploying modern enterprise networks to help OT implement robust and agile networks. With the right industrial switches, routers, management and security tools, this will unlock many benefits such as:

Reduced unplanned asset downtime with more secure and reliable connectivity

Lower operational costs through remote management capabilities

Superior agility with automated deployment features and extensive use of software

Reduce risk thanks to enhanced security

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OT connects, monitors, manages, and secures an organization's industrial operations. IT serves as the technology backbone of an organization.

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OT is Everywhere! Operational Technology explained.

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Test your knowledge of Operational Technology (O.T) with this quiz! Explore components such as Industrial Control Systems (ICS), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Industrial Internet of Things (I-IoT), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), Remote Terminal Units (RTU), Intelligent Electronic Devices (IED), and Sensors. Challenge yourself with questions related to these integral O.T components.

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Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency CISA

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Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

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Securing Open Source Software in Operational Technology | CISA

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Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock (Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

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Operational technology (OT) cybersecurity refers to the software, hardware, practices, personnel, and services used to protect operational technology infrastructure, people, and data.

As data acquisition and reports become vital, technology continually evolves, and "big data" is allowed through the IT/OT convergence, it has become important to reassess cybersecurity's most reliable practices for protecting OT.

This eBook will explore how OT cybersecurity was founded, where it is at present, modern best practices, and the top trends indicating what's next - allowing you to prepare better and perform your OT Cybersecurity action plan.

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ATS operational technology E-Book is a comprehensive knowledge-sharing guide from our OT experts. Download it now!

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Security Event Monitoring & Information Management | Verve

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Discover the value of SIEM in OT cyber security beyond log management and threat detection. Provide operational insights to control systems security teams.

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OT cybersecurity is now more central and crucial in an organization's risk portfolio than ever. The 2023 data, conducted by an independent research company, surveyed 570 OT professionals globally, revealing some of these top trends:

Responsibility for OT cybersecurity moving to CISOs

Reliance on a wide range of solutions to combat intrusions

Ransomware and phishing remain major threats

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OT cybersecurity is now more central and crucial in an organization's risk portfolio than ever.

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Distributed Control System (DCS) - Industrial Cyber Security Course

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OT Security Career Path | How to get ready for OT Cybersecurity