A secure IT/OT integration is essential to drive business value and efficiency, says Info-Tech Research Group.

The convergence of IT and OT systems enables automation, reduces errors and increases productivity.

Toronto, February 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — With ever-increasing information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) systems, along with growing cybersecurity threats, organizations must adopt a holistic approach to technology integration coupled with a multidisciplinary security culture. To help organizations realize the benefits of a secure and effective IT/OT convergence strategy, global IT research and consulting firm Info-Tech Research Group has published its latest industry blueprint, Secure IT/OT Convergence.

The study plan explains that IT and OT are very different and complex systems. OT technologies have historically been built without any security as they are isolated from other networks that may interact with the cyber world. However, if these two systems are successfully and securely integrated, they can provide significant benefits to both IT and OT teams, such as increased flexibility, reduced costs, and better collaboration and decision making.

“The IT/OT convergence is less convergence and more migration.” He says. Ida SiahanResearch Director at the Information-Tech Research Group. “The former OT ecosystem is migrating to the IT ecosystem, primarily to improve connectivity and leverage other formal IT capabilities for economic benefit.”

According to Info-Tech’s research, this move to integrate IT and OT has created challenges for security and IT leaders and teams, including managing and managing IT and OT security and accountability, complying with guidelines and standards, and measuring OT security effectiveness and efficiency. .

As more organizations, including those in manufacturing, continue to experience digital transformation, isolated OT systems will become a thing of the past. Info-Tech Research recommends that organizations develop the following comprehensive frameworks and IT/OT integration frameworks to prepare for.

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Plan:

• Initiate communication between IT and OT teams.

• Define roles and responsibilities considering how the two groups interact.

• Establishing management and building a cross-functional team.

• Identification of collection entities and compliance obligations.

• Assess your organization’s readiness.

Improve.

• Update your security strategy for IT/OT convergence.

• Update your risk management framework by understanding the assets and risks of IT/OT systems.

• Update your security policies to align with the OT system for a unified approach to protecting both IT and OT environments, which has several benefits.

• Update your business continuity, disaster recovery and disaster response plans.

Control and Facilitate:

• Implement awareness and training programs in IT security by understanding the common challenges that impact secure IT/OT integration.

• Design and deploy security architectures and controls that converge to simplify the security process.

• Establish and monitor IT/OT security metrics for effectiveness and efficiency.

A secure IT/OT integration can deliver real business value and results, especially in the manufacturing industry, resulting in fewer errors and downtime and increased production growth and productivity.

To know more, download the full version Secure IT/IT integration.

For more information about the Info-Tech Research Group or the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and Twitter.

About Info-Tech Research Group

Info-Tech Research Group is the world’s leading information technology research and consulting firm, proudly serving over 30,000 IT professionals. The company produces unbiased and highly relevant research to help CIOs and IT leaders make strategic, timely and well-informed decisions. For 25 years, InfoTech has worked closely with IT teams to ensure they get measurable results from their organizations, providing everything they need from actionable tools to analytical guidance.

Media professionals across IT, HR and software and more than 200 IT and industry analysts can sign up for unlimited research access to the ITRG Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact pr@infotech.com.

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