Lockout/tagout (LOTO) is a safety procedure that isolates energy sources and applies a physical lock and warning tag so equipment cannot be started or re-energized during service. It is used for electrical circuits, mechanical motion, stored energy, and other hazardous power sources. The goal is simple: before a technician opens a panel or works on a system, the system must be put into a verified safe state.
In cyber security, LOTO matters because many attacks and defenses happen in operational technology, data centers, and industrial sites where digital systems control real power. A remote command, malicious configuration change, or mistaken maintenance action can energize equipment unexpectedly if isolation is weak. Good LOTO supports secure operations by forcing clear ownership, verification, and access control before hands-on work. It reduces the chance that a compromised or misused system can create injury, outage, or damage during troubleshooting and repair.