Operational Technology (OT)

Definition

Operational Technology (OT) comprises the hardware, software, and networks that monitor and control physical processes in industries like energy, water, manufacturing, and transport.

Examples

• A utility substation’s protection relays and RTUs that open/close breakers and report status to a control center.
• A factory cell where PLCs, sensors, and robots run a production line, visualized through HMIs and logged to a historian.

Discover 🔎

Operational Technology links the digital and physical worlds. Unlike traditional IT, where confidentiality often leads, OT prioritizes safety, reliability, and availability because mistakes can harm people, damage equipment, or interrupt essential services. OT environments include industrial control systems (ICS) such as PLCs, RTUs, HMIs, SCADA, and DCS that keep critical processes within safe limits."

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