In today’s rapidly evolving industrial landscape, the convergence of Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) is no longer just an idea—it’s becoming a strategic necessity. While the thought of blending these two traditionally separate domains may seem daunting, it doesn’t have to be as painful as it sounds.
According to industry leaders like Fortinet, the benefits of IT/OT convergence far outweigh the risks—if the right cybersecurity controls are in place. For small to mid-sized companies, in particular, this blended environment is an ideal use case for a Virtual Security Operations Center (vSOC). With 24/7 monitoring and rapid response capabilities, a vSOC can identify and contain threats before they become costly disasters.
Streamlining Security—If Done Right
When executed properly, IT/OT convergence allows organizations to manage and monitor assets across both domains. Threat hunting becomes more effective when insights can be pulled from both IT and OT data streams, and endpoint management becomes more unified. Plus, technologies like deception and advanced analytics can be deployed across the board for proactive defense.
But it’s not without risk. Without the right planning, convergence can backfire:
- Applying IT patch cycles to OT environments can disrupt SCADA and ICS operations.
- Shared authentication systems across both networks may open doors to lateral movement.
- Poorly integrated updates could “brick” critical programmable logic controllers (PLCs).
This is why cybersecurity expertise with OT-specific awareness is critical. Whether you’re building an in-house Security Operations Center or deploying a vSOC like ours at The Saturn Partners, it’s essential that trained OT professionals are part of the team. They understand the operational nuances—and the security implications—of this convergence.
The Case for Smart Segmentation
Even after IT and OT systems are merged, security segmentation remains vital. Without proper segmentation in place, a breach on the IT side could easily pivot to the more vulnerable OT side.
The expanded attack surface created by Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) devices and 5G connectivity makes this even more urgent. These technologies increase speed and data exchange—but also invite more entry points for bad actors.
Final Thoughts
Converging IT and OT offers real potential to improve efficiency, visibility, and security—when done correctly. Before you jump in, evaluate your environment, train or hire OT-savvy professionals, and implement proper cybersecurity hygiene at every stage.
If you’re considering convergence and want to ensure it’s done safely and effectively, our Virtual SOC (vSOC) solution may be the answer. We help businesses bridge the IT/OT gap with continuous monitoring, incident response, and domain-specific cybersecurity strategy.
Ready to secure your converged infrastructure?
Contact The Saturn Partners today.