What is the IT/OT Convergence in Technology?
In today’s interconnected world, the digital economy and digital transformation have become frontrunners. Increasingly, businesses and organizations are leveraging technology to create, deploy and enhance value-creating services, products, experiences and operations – all of which, in turn, require digital infrastructure and IT/OT integration. The IT/OT convergence is just one of the ways technology is continuing to improve the functionality and efficiency of businesses, while simultaneously creating more opportunities for cyber-attacks and data breaches.
What is IT and OT in Technology?
IT stands for Information Technology, and is the use of technology to store, process, analyze, protect, transfer and communicate information. Examples of IT technologies include networks, databases, distributed computing, email, endpoint security, artificial intelligence (AI), cloud storage and the internet of things (IoT).
OT stands for Operational Technology, and is the use of technology to monitor, control, optimize and enable operations at industrial sites. Examples of OT technologies include industrial communication networks, process control systems, human-machine interfaces (HMI), programmable logic controllers (PLCs), safety monitoring systems, cyber security systems and data analytics.
The Difference Between IT and OT
The difference between IT and OT is that IT focuses on supporting the use and management of data, while OT is focused on the physical operation and control of devices, processes and activities within a facility. IT systems are typically owned and managed by the IT department, while OT systems are owned by the operational teams and are used to control and monitor physical processes.
Advantages of IT/OT Convergence
The convergence of IT and OT provides several advantages when implemented correctly, ensuring optimized real-time operations, increased safety and improved security. Here are some of the many benefits of having an IT/OT convergence strategy in place:
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Increased visibility: By leveraging the power of new technology such as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and analytics, IT/OT convergence enables more accurate, real-time data gathering and analysis across all levels of an organization.
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Enhanced safety: IT/OT convergence can lead to improved safety in a wide variety of industries, from hazardous production plants to nuclear power plants. The real-time monitoring of connected devices and processes can make the site much safer by proactively detecting and responding to issues.
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Improved security: IT/OT convergence solutions help organizations to identify, contain and eliminate vulnerabilities and threats quickly. By combining different sources of intelligence, users can develop a comprehensive security plan that will protect their critical assets and networks.
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Seamless communication: By integrating IT and OT systems into a single platform, organizations can enable better communication between operational and IT teams, removing any potential data silos or manual data entry points.
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Improved efficiency: By taking advantage of predictive analytics and AI, businesses can reduce operational costs and increase efficiency of their processes, identifying opportunities for improvement or waste reduction.
Challenges with IT/OT Convergence
Despite the many advantages an IT/OT convergence can provide, there are still several potential challenges that organizations should consider in order to get the most benefit out of such solutions. Some of these challenges include:
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Cultural differences: IT and OT departments often have very different cultures and ways of working, making it difficult to integrate their systems, processes and data.
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Lack of visibility: IT/OT convergence solutions are only as good as the data they receive, and without adequate visibility into their systems, organizations can be missing out on valuable data points.
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Gaps in security protocols: Without a holistic approach to security, organizations can be vulnerable to cyber-attacks and data breaches.
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Scalability and manageability: Organizations need to ensure their solutions are scalable and manageable in order to keep up with the growing number of connected systems and devices.
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Software integration: Integrating legacy and new software can also be a challenge for organizations, leading to disruptions and delays in operations.
The Benefits of Implementing an IT/OT Convergence Strategy
The advantages of IT/OT convergence are clear: by leveraging the power of connected technology and analytics, organizations can improve the efficiency, safety, visibility and security of their operations. Through this type of integration, businesses can reduce costs, minimize risks and ensure value-creating services, products and experiences.
The IT/OT convergence is a strategic approach to leveraging the capabilities of IT and OT, providing a comprehensive approach to managing operations that incorporates intelligent analytics, security protocols and data integration. Organizations should take the necessary steps to implement an IT/OT convergence strategy, to ensure they are getting the most out of their technology and operations.
