Operational Technology is no longer an IT issue. It’s a business continuity mandate. As OT vulnerabilities and cyberattacks continue to escalate, the failure of security controls can directly translate into:

• Physical safety risks 
• Environmental incidents  
• Financial and reputational damage

Effective OT security governance is the only way to translate strategic security priorities into reliable operational reality. This post will highlight the themes of OT security governance and five principles to keep in mind when designing the right governance model for your organization.

Adapting to a Changing Landscape

Security breaches are accelerating—and 80% of industrial companies are feeling the impact. The unfortunate reality is the threat landscape has transformed. AI-driven exploits now automatically identify and target OT vulnerabilities while zero-day threats bypass conventional speed. With AI and machine learning at the helm, the time to impact can accelerate by 100x.

Manufacturing still remains a top target for both nation-state actors and cybercriminals. And the escalation of threat sophistication combined with the ongoing shortage of OT security expertise results in a widening gap between resources and needs. 

This underscores why industrial organizations should adopt an OT governance model that can respond to these modern threats while making rapid progress in their security programs.

What is OT Security Governance?

OT security governance is the set of policies, processes, and practices that manage and protect industrial assets. It centers on defining who owns the risk and who has the authority to act. This ensures that security priorities translate into operational reality.  

How CISOs Can Balance Authority and Accountability

Two ways CISOs can balance authority and accountability include:

• Strategic Governance ('Big G'): This includes setting the overall cybersecurity agenda for OT, establishing performance metrics, deciding who has the final say in risk management, and determining who is accountable in case of security incidents. 
• Operational Governance ('Small g'): Here, the focus is on immediate decisions like patching devices, selecting cybersecurity tools, and managing equipment updates.

Navigating IT/OT Convergence in Security Leadership

The debate is no longer whether IT and OT should converge. It’s how to make that convergence work effectively.

Traditional IT security tools and approaches fall short in OT environments. This is due to their need for availability and protection without compromising uptime. Nonetheless, the increasing connectivity between IT and OT demands unified oversight.

Today’s critical questions have evolved beyond ownership:

• How can CISOs effectively govern systems they may not fully understand operationally?
• How do operations leaders acquire cybersecurity expertise when talent is scarce?
• How can organizations balance the CISO’s enterprise risk view with plant managers’ operational imperatives?
• Who makes the call when security best practices conflict with production requirements?

What Successful IT/OT Convergence Looks Like

The most successful organizations are moving past territorial debates to focus on collaborative models that use IT’s security expertise while respecting OT’s operational priorities. 

This often means the CISO provides strategic direction and risk frameworks while operations maintain tactical control over the implementation of timing and methods. The key is ensuring that whatever authority resides, it’s matched with appropriate accountability, resources, and contextual understanding of both cyber risk and operational impact.

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Contact an expert to learn more about IT/OT security. 

Article Source: Rockwell Automation