As industrial organizations continue to digitize their operations, understanding the distinction between Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) networks becomes increasingly crucial. While both types of networks are vital to modern industrial operations, they serve fundamentally different purposes and face unique challenges. Let's explore the key differences between IT and OT networks and why these distinctions matter in today's connected industrial landscape.
Information Technology networks are designed to handle data processing, storage, and transmission. These networks support business operations through email systems, databases, file sharing, and various software applications that help organizations manage their information assets. The primary goal of IT networks is to ensure efficient data flow and processing to support business decision-making and operations.
Operational Technology networks, on the other hand, focus on managing and controlling physical processes and equipment. These networks connect industrial control systems (ICS), including programmable logic controllers (PLCs), supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, and other automation equipment. The primary purpose of OT networks is to ensure reliable and safe operation of industrial processes.
When it comes to network priorities, IT and OT environments operate under fundamentally different philosophies. IT networks have long lived by the CIA triad - Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability. This hierarchy of priorities makes perfect sense in a business environment where protecting sensitive data is paramount. Think about it: your organization's financial records, customer information, and intellectual property must be safeguarded above all else. While keeping systems running and ensuring data accuracy are important, preventing unauthorized access to sensitive information takes precedence.
The world of OT, however, turns this priority list on its head. In operational environments, availability reigns supreme. When you're running a power plant, manufacturing facility, or water treatment plant, keeping systems operational isn't just about business continuity - it's about maintaining essential services and ensuring safety. A momentary system interruption could lead to production losses, equipment damage, or even pose risks to human life. This is why OT networks follow what's often called the CIA triad (Source).
The integrity of control signals and operational data comes a very close second, as incorrect information could lead to dangerous situations in physical processes. Imagine a temperature sensor sending incorrect readings to a control system in a chemical plant - the consequences could be severe. While confidentiality remains important, it has historically taken a back seat to keeping systems running safely and reliably. This fundamental difference in priorities shapes everything from system design to security protocols in these two environments.
The performance needs of IT and OT networks reflect their distinct operational realities. In the IT world, some degree of latency or delay is generally acceptable. When you're sending an email or accessing a database, a few milliseconds of delay won't typically impact operations significantly. IT systems are built with flexibility in mind, allowing for regular updates, patches, and even the occasional reboot when necessary. This flexibility enables organizations to keep their systems current and secure.
OT networks, however, operate in a world where milliseconds matter. In manufacturing processes, precise timing can be critical to product quality and safety. These networks require deterministic performance - meaning they need to respond in exactly the same way, within the same timeframe, every single time. Imagine a robotic arm in an assembly line that needs to perform exact movements in perfect synchronization with a conveyor belt. Any delay or variation in response time could lead to production failures or safety incidents. This need for precision and reliability means that OT networks must prioritize consistent performance over flexibility.
The approach to security in IT versus OT environments reveals another striking contrast in their operational philosophies. IT security teams operate in a constantly evolving landscape of threats, responding with regular updates, patches, and system changes. They can implement complex password policies and robust encryption because their systems are designed to handle these security measures without significantly impacting business operations.
The OT security landscape tells a different story. Many OT systems were designed and installed decades ago, long before cybersecurity became a pressing concern. These systems often run on legacy software and hardware that can't be easily updated without risking operational disruption. Making changes to an OT system isn't just a matter of pushing an update - each modification must be carefully validated to ensure it won't interfere with critical processes. This means that security measures must be implemented thoughtfully, often focusing on network segmentation and access controls rather than frequent system updates.
The lifecycle of IT and OT systems presents perhaps one of the starkest contrasts between these two environments. IT systems typically follow a relatively rapid refresh cycle, with hardware and software being updated every three to five years. This quick turnover allows organizations to take advantage of new technologies and maintain competitive advantages in the digital landscape.
OT systems, on the other hand, are built for the long haul. It's not uncommon to find operational technology that has been running reliably for 15, 20, or even 30 years. These systems often use proprietary protocols and specialized hardware that can't be easily replaced or upgraded. When changes are necessary, they require extensive testing and validation to ensure they won't disrupt the critical processes they control. This long lifecycle means that OT systems must be designed and maintained with long-term stability in mind, rather than frequent updates and changes.
The consequences of system failures in IT and OT environments are dramatically different. When an IT system fails, it typically results in business disruption - perhaps employees can't access their emails, or customers can't place orders online. While these situations can certainly impact the bottom line, they rarely pose immediate physical risks.
In contrast, OT system failures can have immediate and potentially dangerous real-world consequences. A failure in a manufacturing system could damage expensive equipment or create hazardous conditions for workers. In utility systems, failures could lead to power outages, water supply disruptions, or even environmental incidents. This stark difference in failure impact explains why OT systems prioritize reliability and safety over features and flexibility.
As organizations increasingly seek to harness the power of data analytics and remote monitoring, the lines between IT and OT networks are blurring. This convergence brings both opportunities and challenges. The ability to gather and analyze operational data can lead to significant improvements in efficiency and productivity. However, connecting previously isolated OT systems to IT networks also introduces new security risks and operational considerations.
Successfully managing this convergence requires a deep understanding of both environments' unique requirements. Organizations need to implement careful network segregation while still allowing necessary data flow between systems. They need staff who understand both IT and OT considerations, and they need policies that respect the critical differences between these environments while enabling them to work together effectively.
Understanding the fundamental differences between IT and OT networks isn't just an academic exercise - it's crucial for organizations operating in today's connected industrial environment. While IT networks excel at handling business information and data processing, OT network monitoring is the workhorses of industrial processes, controlling and monitoring the physical systems that keep our world running.
Ready to bridge the gap between your IT and OT networks? Discover how Network Critical's intelligent network TAPs and network packet brokers can help you achieve secure visibility across both environments while respecting their unique requirements. Because when it comes to network visibility, you shouldn't have to choose between security and reliability – you can have both.