What happens when the very systems powering critical operations become the gateway for cyber threats?
Operational Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT) are converging at pace, yet many organisations remain exposed to the risk this integration brings. Over the past year 70% of organisations reported an OT cyber-attack with each individual breach costing an average of $4.24M. However, the consequences extend far beyond financial loss. Reputational damage and compliance failures are the real threats when OT/IT environments are compromised. In this landscape, OT/IT convergence is no longer a luxury; it is a critical business imperative, with 89% of industrial firms prioritising OT security through convergence strategies.
Current State
Despite the need for urgency, many enterprises continue to operate with fragmented OT and IT. Siloed systems and legacy infrastructure create visibility gaps, making it difficult to respond quickly to threats. Migration efforts also carry significant downtime risk: shifting firewalls, policies and controls can halt operations if mishandled. Meanwhile, IT teams are often left firefighting to manually address compliance requirements and patching vulnerabilities as they emerge. This reactive approach not only heightens operational risk but drains valuable resources. 57% of organisations reported that the most common attack vector originated in the IT environment, allowing the infiltrator to move into the OT environment. Highlighting the lack of strong security controls between IT and OT networks. In addition, skill shortages persist, with few engineers experienced across both OT and IT domains. This lack of expertise contributes to vendor lock-in, limiting businesses ability to adopt best-fit solutions.
Future State
The future of OT/IT convergence is unified, resilient and intelligent. An integrated OT/IT landscape represents a future where security is seamlessly integrated and compliance is automated, regardless of vendor. Systems are no longer siloed or tied to legacy processes, instead they are vendor agnostic, interconnected and optimised for both performance and security.
With predictive security measures in place, downtime shifts from a recurring challenge to a rare exception. Compliance is streamlined through automated reporting and continuous monitoring, further ensuring that regulatory requirements are met effortlessly. In this environment, teams are empowered to focus on innovation and value creation rather than firefighting incidents or manually tracking compliance.
The impact of this transformation is clear. By embracing OT/IT convergence, businesses can reduce downtime, accelerate reporting, and lower operational costs. This not only drives operational excellence but also strengthens resilience and enhances business agility for the future.
How Systal Bridges the Gap
Systal is uniquely positioned to help organisations navigate the complexities of OT/IT convergence, delivering a seamless integration that empowers its enterprise clients.
- 24/7 global Network Operations Centre (NOC) monitoring with advanced AI threat detection proactively protects business infrastructure, minimising downtime and safeguards both business assets and reputation.
- Our vendor-agnostic approach enables seamless integration and management of diverse OT/IT technologies, delivering tailored, resilient solutions for any platform.
- Our services are aligned with leading global standards from GDPR and NIS2 in Europe to HIPAA and PCI DSS in the US. We help to ensure our clients remains audit ready, maintaining compliance while significantly reduces the risk of penalties and reputational damage.
- Recognised in the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Managed Network Services, Systal is the only UK headquartered provider awarded two years running. Reinforcing Systal’s consistent commitment to reliable and customer-focused solutions
Final Thoughts
As OT and IT converge: one truth remains clear, convergence is no longer a competitive advantage – it is a strategic priority. Organisations that act now will not only reduce commercial risk but also unlock new levels of agility and efficiency.
With Systal’s expertise and global delivery model, businesses can confidently embrace transformation and stay ahead of evolving threats. The future of convergence is here – but those who move first will define it.
Speak to a Systal OT/IT specialist today and discover how convergence can unlock resilience and agility for your business.
