Why Operational Technology Security is the Next Frontier in Industrial Cyber Defense

In the age of connected manufacturing, the convergence of Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) is not just a trend—it’s an imperative. As industrial systems become smarter and more connected, organisations are reaping the rewards of greater efficiency, automation, and data-driven insight. But this digital acceleration also introduces unprecedented risks, especially for manufacturers who rely on legacy systems never designed with cybersecurity in mind.

At the heart of this transformation lies a fundamental challenge: How do we bridge IT and OT in a way that secures both, without compromising productivity?

On 30 July 2025, CYBER1 Solutions and Forescout will host an in-person OT Security Roundtable that brings together security leaders, technology experts, and manufacturing professionals to tackle this exact issue. But before you join us, let’s unpack the core opportunity—and the risks—that make this topic one of the most urgent priorities for industrial organisations today.

“We’re seeing a surge in attacks that are specifically crafted for OT environments in sectors like Manufacturing, Mining, and Logistics, where a single handful of hours of downtime can translate into a loss of revenue measured in millions. From halted production lines to supply disruptions, threat actors realise that compromise of the OT environment equals immediate financial and operational pain. Visibility and control at the OT layer is no longer a luxury—it’s a requirement.” Christiaan Swanepoel, Head: Cyber Managed Services, CYBER1 Solutions

The State of OT Security: A Growing Risk

Operational environments were once isolated, proprietary, and relatively secure by obscurity. But due to digitalization, more Industrial IoT, smart sensors, cloud platforms, and AI become central to the factory floor, the traditional air gap between IT and OT is disappearing fast.

Legacy OT devices—often decades old—are now connected to enterprise networks. These systems were never built to withstand modern cyber threats, yet they now operate side by side with modern IT assets. This shift opens the door to a growing number of vulnerabilities that cyber attackers are eager to exploit.

According to recent industry reports, cyberattacks targeting OT systems have surged by over 140% in the past two years. Ransomware groups, cybercriminals and nation-state actors,  increasingly focus on critical infrastructure, aware that downtime in a manufacturing plant can cause not just financial loss, but supply chain disruption, regulatory breaches, and reputational damage.

In a recent survey conducted by TakePoint Research and Forescout Technologies, showed that “Nearly 60% of organizations report low to no confidence in their OT/IoT threat detection capabilities”, while “63% of organizations require over 30 days to remediate threats, with 37% exceeding 90 days”. Survey Results will be presented, while discussing Strategic Recommendations for Enhancing OT Security.

Why Unified Visibility Is the First Step

One of the biggest barriers to securing OT environments is a lack of visibility. In many manufacturing facilities, IT teams have little understanding of the devices and systems operating on the OT side—and vice versa. Without real-time, agentless visibility across both environments, it becomes nearly impossible to manage risk effectively.

Part of the same survey, “57% of organizations deploy more than three separate tools to monitor IT, OT, and IoT environments, resulting in fragmented insights and elevated operational complexity”.

At the upcoming roundtable, Forescout will demonstrate how organisations can instantly discover and classify all devices—IT, OT, and IoT—across the network, without disrupting operations or requiring invasive installs. This is a game-changer for industrial cybersecurity because you cannot secure what you cannot see.

From Detection to Response: Automating Threat Containment

The next critical step is to move from passive monitoring to active defense. Even when threats are detected in OT environments, many organisations struggle with how to respond without shutting down production or risking human safety.

Automated policy enforcement and network segmentation are key. By controlling what devices can access and dynamically isolating suspicious behaviour, manufacturers can contain threats without halting operations. This not only reduces response times but also provides resilience against advanced threats like zero-day exploits and insider attacks.

During the roundtable, attendees will see how real-time threat detection and automated containment can be implemented across diverse OT ecosystems.

Compliance, Risk, and the New Role of CISOs in Manufacturing

Another growing pressure for manufacturers is compliance. From ISO 27001 to NIST and IEC 62443, regulators are demanding that industrial environments adopt more stringent cybersecurity controls. CISOs and operations leaders must now work together to ensure that compliance is met—not only for audits but for business continuity.

This convergence is reshaping leadership roles. Security is no longer just an IT function—it’s a shared responsibility across production, operations, and even procurement. The modern CISO must understand both the digital threat landscape and the realities of the shop floor.

This leadership evolution is one of the key discussion points at the roundtable, where experts will share lessons learned, practical frameworks, and real-world success stories of IT/OT collaboration.

“With Forescout, you can bridge the gap between  tools, enforce OT-Safe policies in real time, and accelerate threat detection and response, leading to better visibility, faster response, and stronger compliance across all your network domains. Our platform brings IT and OT risk into a single, clear view that no other solutions can offer, enabling you to prioritize remediation based on business impact, not just alerts.” Hassan Karhani – Field Technology Officer, Forescout

Why You Should Attend the OT Security Roundtable

If you’re a manufacturing leader, plant manager, CISO, or infrastructure architect, this event is for you.

Here’s what you’ll gain:

• Actionable insights on securing legacy OT environments
• Peer-to-peer networking with security professionals in your industry
• A deeper understanding of how to unify IT and OT policies without disrupting operations
• Practical steps to ensure compliance while enhancing resilience

Event Details:
📍 In-Person | 🗓️ 30 July 2025 | 🕙 09:30 AM SAST
Hosted by CYBER1 Solutions & Forescout

Seats are limited, and registration closes on 23 July 2025.
👉 Register Now

The Future of Manufacturing Is Secure—and Unified

Manufacturers who proactively address OT security today will be tomorrow’s leaders in resilience, efficiency, and digital innovation. The OT Security Roundtable offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with experts, learn what’s working in the field, and walk away with a roadmap tailored to your industrial reality.

Don’t miss this opportunity to secure what keeps your business moving.
Join us on 30 July, and take your place at the table where IT and OT finally align.