IT/OT convergence is the linking of enterprise information technology systems, such as email, identity, cloud, and business apps, with operational technology used to run industrial processes, such as PLCs, HMIs, and SCADA. It is common in smart factories because managers want shared data, centralized monitoring, and remote administration across office and plant-floor environments.
From a security perspective, convergence matters because it creates shared dependencies and new trust boundaries. An attacker who compromises IT may gain a path toward OT, where impacts can include process disruption, safety risks, and downtime rather than just data loss. Defenders reduce this risk with network segmentation, strict access control, monitoring between zones, and tightly managed remote access. In practice, IT/OT convergence means cyber defense must protect both information and physical operations at the same time.