With the acceleration of digital transformation (DX)—such as the transition to Industry 4.0—it has become critical for organizations to understand the similarities and differences between their information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) networks, as well as what happens when the two intersect.
IT generally refers to computing, networking, and managing information in organizations. OT controls processes that have safety and physical impacts, guiding physical processes with equipment in manufacturing plants, power stations, pipelines, railways, and other infrastructure. While the impact of IT functions are typically restricted to an organization itself, many components of OT are critical to public safety and global economic health.