Holistic Enterprise IT/OT Risk Management

 Implementing a unified risk measurement approach across both IT and OT environments can be challenging for OT operators due to several non-technical obstacles. These obstacles can hinder the effective measurement of risk and the integration of security programs. Here are some common non-technical obstacles:

• Organizational Silos: OT and IT departments often operate in separate silos within an organization. This siloed structure can create barriers to collaboration and hinder the sharing of information and resources. Differences in goals, priorities, and communication channels can impede the development of a unified risk measurement strategy.

• Cultural Differences: The cultural differences between IT and OT teams can pose challenges to aligning risk measurement approaches. IT teams are typically more familiar with cybersecurity concepts, while OT teams prioritize operational reliability and safety. Bridging the gap between these two cultures requires effective communication, education, and fostering a shared understanding of the importance of integrated risk measurement.

• Knowledge and Skill Gaps: OT operators may lack the necessary knowledge and skills related to IT security, and vice versa. Understanding the unique characteristics, vulnerabilities, and threats of both IT and OT environments is crucial for accurate risk measurement. Bridging these knowledge gaps through training, cross-training, and knowledge-sharing initiatives is essential for effective risk assessment.

• Regulatory and Compliance Challenges: Different regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements often govern IT and OT separately. These differing regulations can create complexity when trying to establish a unified risk measurement program. Overcoming regulatory challenges requires a comprehensive understanding of the applicable regulations and finding commonalities to align risk measurement practices.

• Resource Constraints: Implementing risk measurement programs across IT and OT environments requires significant resources, including budget, personnel, and technology. Limited resources can impede the integration of security programs and the allocation of necessary resources to measure risk holistically. Prioritization, resource allocation, and leveraging cost-effective solutions are essential to overcoming these constraints.

• Legacy Systems and Infrastructure: Many OT environments still rely on legacy systems and infrastructure, which may lack the necessary security controls and monitoring capabilities. Integrating these legacy systems with modern IT security tools and technologies can be challenging and may require substantial investments in upgrades or replacements.

Overcoming these non-technical obstacles requires a combination of leadership support, cultural change, cross-functional collaboration, and effective communication. It is essential to foster a shared vision of risk measurement across IT and OT, break down organizational silos, and bridge knowledge gaps to ensure a comprehensive and unified approach to measuring risk in both environments.