IT & OT convergence brings new cyber risks to industrial sector

IT and operational technology (OT) are on a journey to convergence, but that convergence must be managed with caution in order to manage cybersecurity risks that go with it. The risk towards industrial organisation such as the energy sector are immense – in fact the Australian Energy Market Operator says that protecting the sector is a matter of national importance. Forescout Asia pacific and Japan senior director of systems engineering Steve Hunter comments that cyber risks against IT and OT environments have been steadily growing. Now there is a driving force by government and industry bodies to address those risks. The Australian Energy Sector Cyber Security Framework (AESCSF), which provides a foundation for the sector to be consistently assessed and the insight to uplift cybersecurity capabilities and strengthen cyber resilience. “This increasing pressure is putting new demands on CIOs and CISOs in the utilities sector now tasked with protecting this entire ecosystem,” comments Hunter.