As more manufacturers pursue digital transformation, the line between information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) is blurring faster than ever. This convergence creates powerful opportunities to unlock data, increase uptime, and boost productivity. It also exposes organizations to new vulnerabilities.
Agilix Solutions’ industrial networking experts recently hosted a webinar, Bridging the Gap for IT and OT: Strategies for Secure Manufacturing Networks, along with partners from Cisco. The discussion focused on how IT and OT teams can work together to build secure, resilient networks that keep production running efficiently and safely.
Understanding the IT/OT Divide
IT and OT have traditionally operated in very different worlds. IT focuses on managing data, keeping information confidential, available, and protected. OT governs the equipment and systems that keep manufacturing lines running. For IT, a network slowdown might be inconvenient. For OT, it can stop production entirely.
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“An IT network is built to empower people to be productive. An OT network is designed to enable machines to communicate and execute a recipe successfully. If that communication breaks down, you can lose product, waste materials, or even cause equipment damage.”
– Ted Davis, Agilix Solutions Network Product Manager, Cisco CCNA, Cisco CCNP
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In other words, downtime in the OT environment carries real-world consequences. That is why the top priorities on the plant floor are reliability, safety, and resilience, while IT teams have historically focused more on data confidentiality and integrity.
The Rising Urgency of IT/OT Convergence
The industrial landscape is changing quickly. Connected sensors, remote access tools, and cloud-based analytics have blurred the once-clear boundary between IT and OT networks. This convergence is being driven by the same factor that complicates it: cybersecurity.
Cyberattacks are increasingly taking advantage of the way OT systems have traditionally operated, using shared passwords, outdated devices, and unpatched software. The IT world learned to stop doing those things years ago, but in many plants, they are still tolerated.
Manufacturers can no longer afford to treat IT and OT as separate entities. Every device, from the corporate laptop to the PLC on the plant floor, is part of the same data ecosystem. Without shared visibility and coordinated security policies, a single weak link can jeopardize the entire operation.
What an OT Network Assessment Reveals
For organizations trying to understand where their risks lie, Agilix Solutions offers an OT Network and Cybersecurity Assessment. This service provides a clear picture of how the network is performing, what devices are connected, and where potential vulnerabilities exist.
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“When we assess a customer’s OT network, we are looking at everything from unmanaged switches and outdated firmware to overlapping subnets and dropped packets. We also evaluate how those conditions affect overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). The goal is to establish a performance and security baseline, then build a roadmap for improvement.”
– Aaron Honkanen, Agilix Solutions Network Security Engineer, CISSP, Cisco CCNA, GIAC GCLD, Sec+
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Common findings include:
- Unmanaged or misconfigured switches that limit visibility and create bottlenecks
- Lack of network segmentation, resulting in unnecessary crosstalk between processes
- Inconsistent security practices, such as reused credentials or unpatched legacy equipment
- Lack of a DMZ, which isolates industrial control systems from the corporate network
Each of these issues may seem small on its own, but together they can significantly impact production reliability and expose the plant to cyber threats.
Why Visibility is Power
Simply put, you cannot secure what you do not know you have.
Unlike IT networks, OT environments often contain devices that do not communicate using standard management protocols. That makes them difficult to inventory and monitor with traditional IT tools. Agilix uses specialized software to identify these hidden assets and detect unusual activity, such as unauthorized devices or suspicious network traffic, that could indicate a security risk.
Assessments also help manufacturers align with cybersecurity standards such as NIST SP 800-82, ISO 27001, and IEC 62443, ensuring that their operations meet best practices for secure industrial control systems.
Modern Tools for a Connected Future
During the webinar, Cisco experts shared how modern industrial networking technologies can simplify management, strengthen security, and prepare facilities for what is next. From zero-trust remote access solutions to industrial-grade wireless connectivity for mobile robots and sensors, Cisco’s industrial portfolio enables data to move securely wherever it is needed most, whether that’s on the plant floor, in the data center, or across the enterprise.
The network is like the central nervous system connecting everything. Whether it is sensors, controllers, or AI-driven analytics, none of it works without a secure and reliable network foundation.
The Bottom Line
IT/OT convergence is not a passing trend. It is the new reality of modern manufacturing. Companies that act now to understand and secure their connected environments will be better positioned to minimize downtime, optimize performance, and protect their operations from cyber threats.
Agilix Solutions’ Applied Technologies team is here to help. As one of only 8 Cisco partners in the United States certified to perform OT Manufacturing Cybersecurity Assessments, Agilix brings the expertise, tools, and partnerships needed to strengthen your industrial network from the ground up.
Learn more about our OT Network and Cybersecurity Assessment and how it can help you bridge the IT/OT gap with confidence. Reach out to your Account Manager to start the conversation.
Missed the Live Webinar?
If you couldn’t join us for the live event, you can now watch Bridging the Gap for IT and OT: Strategies for Secure Manufacturing Networks on demand. Access the recording here.