Best OT Security Tools Software - Page 2

LW

Researched and written by Lauren Worth

Operational technology (OT) security tools are solutions designed specifically for OT environments. OT security vendors develop OT security software to address the unique challenges of OT environments and to secure the tools used in manufacturing, utilities, and other industrial environments.

Unlike most traditional IT security solutions, OT security solutions typically use a combination of software and hardware, distinguishing them from other types of security products. OT security tools protect OT environments through access controls, asset and inventory management, network monitoring, intrusion detection, and threat remediation.

Security, operations, and IT personnel in industrial environments such as manufacturing, utilities, and various critical infrastructure utilize OT security tools. The OT environment requires special security considerations because of the combination of software and hardware and the difficulties around adapting IT solutions to the OT environment. OT systems typically have long update cycles, making the speed and frequency of IT software updates and patches impractical and making solutions tailored to this unique environment necessary.

These products overlap with OT secure remote access software. However, unlike OT secure remote access tools, OT security platforms have advanced threat detection and incident response capabilities.

OT security tools are often marketed alongside Internet of Things (IoT) security solutions. However, the latter supports items such as smart home devices and wearable technology that are not considered operational technologies. There can be some overlap with industrial IoT software, but these solutions lack the advanced security features found in OT security tools. Similarly, OT security tools share some functionality with supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) software, but like industrial IoT, SCADA software lacks advanced security features such as intrusion detection and remediation.

To qualify for inclusion in the OT security category, a product must: