OT cybersecurity is the protection of operational technology: the hardware, software, and networks that run physical processes in factories, power plants, water systems, pipelines, and transport. Unlike standard IT security, OT defenses must protect not only data but also safety, uptime, and equipment reliability. A security change that is harmless on an office network can stop a production line or disrupt a critical service in an OT environment.
This field matters because OT systems are often long-lived, hard to patch, and tightly connected to real-world operations. Attackers may try to interrupt processes, alter sensor readings, or move from business networks into industrial controls. Defenders respond with asset inventories, network segmentation, strict access control, secure remote maintenance, and compensating controls for legacy systems that cannot be updated quickly. Good OT cybersecurity aims to keep systems both secure and operational.