Why is cybersecurity essential for operational technology (OT)?
In an ever-changing digital landscape, cybersecurity for OT has become crucial to guarantee the continuous availability, reliability and security of your installations and systems.
With our practical approach, we increase the security status of your operational technology. Equans supports you in exploring, protecting, identifying, responding to and restoring all possible security measures within your industrial network.
The difference between OT and IT
The difference between IT and OT cybersecurity is described in the word itself; the security priorities are different in both systems.
For example, availability will be a very high priority in OT, but less so in IT. For OT, real-time is obviously critical and the components will have a lifespan of more than 20 years. An IT system accepts delays in real time and its components need to be replaced more quickly. IT cybersecurity will guarantee regular software updates. This also includes regular audits. This is not so common in OT.
Security awareness will continue to grow in OT, whereas in IT it has already matured and stabilised. In IT, availability is negotiable; in OT, availability is everything!
Security objective priorities
Compliance is a must
In an era of increasing cybersecurity threats, compliance with regulatory frameworks and industry standards is no longer optional – it is essential to ensure business continuity, protect sensitive systems and mitigate legal and financial risks.
For asset owners of operational technology (OT) environments, failure to meet compliance requirements can have serious consequences, including heavy fines, management liability and reputational damage.
Key Compliance Drivers
-
European Regulations: The NIS2 Directive and the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) are designed to strengthen the security of critical infrastructure and impose stricter cybersecurity requirements across various sectors.
-
Specific requirements for Belgium: The CyberFundamentals Framework and CyFun® certification provide companies operating in Belgium with targeted guidelines for meeting compliance requirements.
-
Industry standards: We strive for the best possible alignment with existing cybersecurity standards, as these are crucial for establishing robust cybersecurity frameworks. Compliance with standards such as ISA/IEC 62443, ISO/IEC 27001, CIS Controls, NIST CSF and others is essential for making systems secure, scalable and resilient.
-
The new European Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230, which will fully enter into force on 20 January 2027 and will replace the current Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC.
Our OT Cybersecurity services
COMPLIANCE
- Risk analysis and assessment
- Security policies and procedures
- Network design
IMPLEMENTATION
- Identity & access management (IAM)
- Network security and segmentation
- Platform and system security
MONITORING
- Managed Security Services
- Vulnerability Management
- Incident Response and Recovery
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
- Security audits
- Security assessments
- Incident response training
AWARENESS & TRAINING
- Role-specific workshops
- Introduction to OT cybersecurity
- Incident response training
Would you like to learn more about our services and how we can assist your organisation with OT Cybersecurity?
Please do not hesitate to contact our experts for a personal consultation.
References
As OT cybersecurity specialists, we combine hands‑on practical experience with a proven track record in complex industrial environments.
Discover our OT Cybersecurity simulation environment
The unique OT Cybersecurity Simulation Lab from Equans Digital enables organisations to test security solutions, train their teams and simulate industrial risks, without any impact on their production environment.
Your All-in-One Partner for OT Cybersecurity
Equans Digital is your one-stop shop for cybersecurity protection, covering the entire cybersecurity lifecycle.
Our comprehensive services are designed to address cybersecurity challenges in a structured, scalable and cost-efficient manner. Thanks to our broad service portfolio, we can support customers at every stage of their cybersecurity journey: from initial assessments and strategic development to implementation, monitoring and continuous optimisation.
As a vendor-independent and technology-neutral partner, we offer objective expertise and guarantee the best solutions for your specific needs. Unlike general cybersecurity providers, we are the only true OT cybersecurity specialists, with practical, hands-on experience and a proven track record in complex industrial environments.
Whether you need guidance on compliance, protection against cyber threats, or a strategy for continuous improvement, our customised solutions offer the flexibility and expertise needed to effectively secure your OT environment.
Contact
Want to know more?
