What are the challenges and risks of adopting OT in your industry?

1 Security and compliance

One of the biggest challenges of adopting OT is ensuring the security and compliance of your systems and data. OT devices are often exposed to cyberattacks, physical tampering, and environmental hazards. Moreover, you need to comply with various regulations and standards that govern your industry and protect your customers and stakeholders. To mitigate these risks, implement a robust OT security strategy that covers the entire lifecycle of your devices, from design to disposal. You also need to conduct regular audits, assessments, and updates to monitor and improve your security posture.

2 Interoperability and integration

Another challenge of adopting OT is ensuring the interoperability and integration of your devices and systems. OT devices often use different protocols, formats, and languages than IT systems, making it difficult to communicate and exchange data. Furthermore, you may have legacy or proprietary OT systems that are not compatible with newer or standard technologies. To overcome these challenges, adopt a common OT framework that defines the architecture, interfaces, and protocols of your devices and systems. You also need to use middleware, gateways, and adapters to bridge the gaps and enable seamless integration.

3 Skills and culture

A third challenge of adopting OT is developing the skills and culture that support your digital transformation. OT requires a different set of skills and competencies than IT, such as engineering, maintenance, and operations. Train and upskill your existing workforce or hire new talent to manage and operate your OT systems. To foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and learning among your IT and OT teams, as well as your external partners and vendors. Align your goals, processes, and incentives to create a shared vision and value proposition for your OT initiatives.

4 Cost and complexity

A fourth challenge of adopting OT is managing the cost and complexity of your projects and operations. OT involves a large number of devices, systems, and networks that require significant investment, maintenance, and support. You also need to deal with the technical and organizational complexity of integrating and coordinating your OT systems across different locations, functions, and domains. To address these challenges, adopt a strategic and holistic approach to your OT planning and execution. Prioritize your business needs, identify your key performance indicators, and measure your return on investment.

5 Data and analytics

A fifth challenge of adopting OT is leveraging the data and analytics that your systems generate. OT devices produce a large amount of data that can provide valuable insights into your performance, efficiency, and quality. However, ensure the accuracy, reliability, and timeliness of your data, as well as the privacy and security of your data subjects. Use the right tools, methods, and models to analyze your data and extract meaningful information that can inform your decisions and actions. To overcome these challenges, establish a data governance framework that defines the roles, responsibilities, and rules for your data management and usage. Use advanced analytics techniques, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and predictive analytics, to enhance your data capabilities.

6 Innovation and adaptation

OT offers many opportunities for improving your products, services, and processes, as well as creating new value propositions and business models. However, you need to keep pace with the changing customer expectations, market trends, and technological developments that affect your industry. You also need to overcome the inertia, resistance, and uncertainty that may hinder your innovation efforts. To tackle these challenges, you need to cultivate a culture of experimentation, learning, and feedback that encourages you to try new ideas and solutions. You also need to adopt an agile and flexible mindset that enables you to respond quickly and effectively to changing conditions and opportunities.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?