AiVibeOperational Technology (OT) Security
Operational technology (OT) security is the protection of systems that monitor and control physical processes, such as PLCs, DCS, SCADA and safety systems, so that cyber incidents cannot compromise safety, availability or product quality.
Operational technology (OT) security is the protection of the hardware and software that monitor and control physical processes, such as programmable logic controllers, distributed control systems, SCADA, safety systems, robots and the networks that connect them. Its aim is to keep processes safe, available and correct, preventing cyber incidents from causing injury, environmental harm, equipment damage, production loss or poor product quality.
OT security matters in manufacturing, energy, water, oil and gas, transport and building systems, where connectivity to enterprise networks, remote vendors and cloud analytics has removed much of the old isolation. Stuxnet, the attacks on the Ukrainian power grid and TRITON showed that cyber intrusions can affect physical processes, and ransomware on IT networks has repeatedly forced plants to halt production as a precaution. Regulations such as the EU NIS2 Directive now bring many industrial operators into scope of mandatory cybersecurity requirements.
Typical programmes follow IEC 62443 and NIST SP 800-82, starting with an asset inventory and risk assessment, followed by segmentation, secure remote access, monitoring, patch and vulnerability management, backup and incident response. Controls must be tested so that they do not disrupt time-critical control traffic, and changes are coordinated with operations and with the OEM. Safety systems and their certification remain governed by functional safety standards and qualified personnel.
Key points
- Protects controllers, supervisory systems, safety systems and industrial networks
- Primary goals are safety, availability and integrity of the physical process
- IEC 62443 and NIST SP 800-82 are widely used reference frameworks
- Controls must be tested so they do not disrupt time-critical control traffic
Where AiVibe comes in
In AiVibe's AiAmbA AI Factory, the AiAmbA IoT edge layer keeps writes to machines deny-by-default and AI agents only propose changes that a trained operator confirms. AiVibe's security services include vulnerability assessment and penetration testing, and AiVibe is ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certified.
Related terms
- IT vs OT SecurityOT & Industrial Cybersecurity
- IEC 62443 (ISA/IEC 62443)OT & Industrial Cybersecurity
- Purdue ModelOT & Industrial Cybersecurity
- NIST SP 800-82OT & Industrial Cybersecurity
- OT Asset InventoryOT & Industrial Cybersecurity
- Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)PLC & Industrial Control