Synopsis

Operational Technology (OT) systems are the foundation of Critical Information Infrastructure (CII), underpinning the continuity and safety of essential services such as energy, water, manufacturing, transportation, and healthcare. With the rapid pace of digital transformation and IT–OT convergence, these systems face an unprecedented rise in cyber risks. Cyberattacks on OT environments—including Industrial Control Systems (ICS), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS), and Human–Machine Interfaces (HMI)—pose not only operational disruptions but also threats to national security, public safety, and economic stability.

This session focuses on practical strategies to strengthen OT security across CII sectors. It will examine international frameworks (e.g., IEC 62443, NIST SP 800-82, and Zero Trust principles), advanced threat detection, incident response coordination, and resilience planning for OT assets. Case studies will illustrate both vulnerabilities and successful defense approaches in real-world OT incidents. The session also highlights the role of regulatory compliance, sector-specific standards, and public–private collaboration to ensure security by design.

By integrating lessons from operations, governance, and technology, this discussion will provide a roadmap for safeguarding OT systems—spanning SCADA, DCS, PLC, SIS, and HMI—reinforcing trust in critical infrastructure, and preparing for the next generation of OT cybersecurity challenges.