Industrial Cybersecurity: IT/OT Convergence and Resilience

In an increasingly interconnected world, the convergence of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) environments is no longer a future possibility, it is a strategic necessity. Driven by the demand for real-time data, higher productivity, and operational efficiency, this integration introduces new risks and challenges that require a paradigm shift in how we approach industrial cybersecurity.

Historically, OT systems operated in isolated networks with no direct connection to the outside world. Today, the need to integrate these systems with IT networks, the internet, or the cloud – via analytics platforms, ERPs, and business applications – has broken that isolation. SCADA systems, PLCs, RTUs, and other critical components are now exposed to both internal and external threats.

One of the leading causes of cyber incidents in industrial environments is the lack of segmentation between IT and OT networks. According to data from our Cyber Defense Center, 80% of cyberattacks in Mexico originate in vulnerable IT networks that, due to poor isolation, allow threats to spread into operational systems. The consequences are already tangible: In 2024 alone, 1 in 4 industrial organizations in Mexico experienced production downtime caused by cyber incidents.

Resilience as the New Benchmark for Competitiveness

Cybersecurity in OT is not just about protecting data, it's about ensuring operational continuity, preventing catastrophic failures, and, in critical cases, saving human lives. This is why operational resilience is the cornerstone of any effective strategy. At Minsait Cyber, we define this strategy through four fundamental pillars:

• Alignment with operational objectives: Security must enable operations, not disrupt them.
• Unified visibility of assets and risks: You can't protect what you don't know.
• Protection of legacy systems: Using compensatory controls that don't interfere with production.
• Integrated governance: A corporate-wide approach that unifies OT and IT under a single strategy.

Key Approaches: OT Native Zero Trust and Network Segmentation

One of the most effective approaches we are driving at Minsait Cyber is the OT Native Zero Trust model, an evolution of the "never trust, always verify" principle applied to industrial environments. This approach segments access, protects critical assets, and monitors every interaction within operational systems, reducing the attack surface and strengthening infrastructure resilience.

Complementing this is network segmentation based on industry standards like ISA/IEC 62443 or the Purdue Model. This architecture defines security zones, communication conduits, industrial firewalls, and demilitarized zones (DMZs) to enable controlled communication with external networks while minimizing the risk of lateral threat movement.

Yet, even with these controls in place, the threat landscape continues to evolve rapidly. Our Cyber Defense Center has observed a steady rise in attacks targeting OT environments, particularly through:

• Phishing campaigns aimed at personnel with limited cybersecurity training.
• Exposed industrial interfaces lacking authentication that compromise SCADA protocols.
• Backdoor exploits in PLC devices by increasingly sophisticated threat actors.

Five Executive Recommendations for an OT Cybersecurity Master Plan

• Automated, contextualized, and continuously updated asset inventory, linked to a vulnerability management system.
• Independent OT risk assessments for each site, factoring in technical vulnerabilities and operational tolerance to failure.
• Robust network segmentation and privileged remote access control, including jump servers, multi-factor authentication, and session monitoring.
• Dedicated OT Security Operations Center (SOC): It is highly recommended to operate a SOC tailored for OT, with tools capable of analyzing industrial protocols and generating automated responses without disrupting operations.
• Operational continuity planning: Including functional recovery plans, degraded operating modes, and simulation exercises involving all relevant departments.

Culture, Technology, and Business: Three Inseparable Pillars

OT cybersecurity cannot be treated as an extension of IT security. It requires specialized tools, talent, and strategies. Workforce training, clear governance between departments, and alignment with business objectives are critical to building sustainable industrial resilience.

At Minsait Cyber, we believe that only an integrated vision, a layered security architecture, and a strategy rooted in operational context will enable industrial organizations to navigate today's complex threat landscape and transform that complexity into a competitive advantage.

The question is no longer if there will be a cyberattack, but whether we are prepared to detect it, contain it, and continue operating. That is the true essence of an OT Cybersecurity Master Plan.