Why IT/OT integration in oil and gas is more relevant than ever

IT/OT convergence offers several significant benefits that are crucial for the oil and gas sector, including:

• Increased efficiency for remote operations, both onshore and offshore, minimizing risks to human safety
• Cost savings through centralized infrastructure management, standardization and reduced inventory
• Predictive maintenance of critical assets, enhancing reliability and performance
• Real-time visibility across production environments, enabling informed decision-making

However, convergence without a solid security-by-design strategy can increase cybersecurity risk. This includes implementing a hardened demilitarized zone (DMZ) and establishing clear separation of zones. While much has been discussed about the expanded attack surface and risks to OT equipment, less attention is given to how convergence can create new single points of failure.

As independent systems become interdependent, the reliability of equipment leads users to assume a low likelihood of failure in this new converged world. This mindset often overlooks the potential high impact of such failures on both IT and OT. Therefore, any convergence journey must fully assess the intricacies of this new architecture.

Fundamentally, the consequence of failure is much greater in OT in comparison to IT. A misstep in OT can lead to environmental damage, disrupt global energy supply chains, and above all, pose significant safety implications.

Rebranding information technology (IT) security policies to include OT is not sufficient. OT environments have distinct characteristics, risk profiles and operational constraints that require tailored governance, especially in oil and gas.

Governance for OT cybersecurity is better suited to fall under the safety committee, not IT. This reflects the reality that OT risks are not solely digital; they are physical, environmental and life critical. A cyber incident in OT can trigger cascading failures in safety systems, production lines and even critical national infrastructure that supports the functioning of a country or multiple countries.

International standards such as ISA/IEC 62443 and popular guides such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 800-82 in the United States, advocates for distinct governance structures, risk models and control frameworks for OT environments. These standards and guides not only specify technical countermeasures, but they also require foundational and organizational controls. They recognize that OT systems require a fundamentally different approach to security than IT.

A successful governance framework includes:

• People and culture: Building cross-functional teams and fostering continuous learning. This involves creating joint IT/OT working groups, embedding security champions in operational teams, and aligning incentives across functions.
• Process: Leveraging industry standards, establishing clear accountability, and implementing tailored governance. Responsible, accountable, consulted and informed (RACI) matrices, escalation protocols and incident response playbooks should reflect the realities of OT environments and the potential consequences of cybersecurity incidents.
• Technology: Facilitating interoperability and secure integration across systems. This includes deploying segmentation strategies, maintaining robust DMZs, and implementing layered defenses that account for both IT and OT threat vectors.

Governance must also be adaptive. As convergence evolves, the policies, controls and oversight mechanisms that support it must evolve as well.

Achieving successful IT/OT convergence requires a strategic approach and careful planning. To converge successfully, organizations should:

1. Map all OT assets and architectures: You can’t protect what you don’t know. Asset visibility is the foundation of effective security and operational management.
2. Conduct OT-specific risk assessments: These assessments must consider health and safety, environmental and reputational impacts, not just data loss or downtime.
3. Design segmented enterprise architectures with robust DMZs: A well-architected DMZ is essential to prevent lateral movement between IT and OT zones and to contain potential threats. It is also important to consider the implications of convergence, including low-likelihood, high-impact events.
4. Implement OT security management systems with board-level sponsorship: Governance must be embedded at the highest levels, with clear accountability and strategic alignment.
5. Maintain proactive technical controls and continuous monitoring: This includes intrusion detection, anomaly detection, patch management and secure remote access protocols.
6. Foster a culture of accountability across employees, vendors and contractors: Everyone has a role to play in securing the organization. Training, awareness and clear expectations are key.
7. Build cross-functional teams with IT and OT knowledge: Diversity of thought and experience leads to better decision-making and more resilient systems.
8. Establish clear governance and escalation protocols: When incidents occur, responses must be swift, coordinated and informed by both IT and OT perspectives.
9. Invest in continuous learning and development: As technologies evolve, so must the skills and capabilities of the workforce.
10. Align convergence efforts to business outcomes: Whether it’s cost savings, operational efficiency, or enhanced safety, convergence must deliver measurable value while minimizing cybersecurity risk.

The road ahead

From upstream operations to liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, oil and gas organizations are actively investing in convergence strategies. While the concept may be well-known, the stakes have evolved, necessitating a more advanced and strategic approach.

As digital transformation accelerates, regulatory pressures increase, and cyber threats grow more sophisticated. IT/OT convergence emerges not just as a technical challenge but as a critical business imperative.

In the oil and gas sector, IT/OT convergence remains a highly relevant subject. It is not merely about integration; it encompasses transformation, resilience and the development of a culture that is prepared for the future.