Ensuring Operational Technology (OT) Cybersecurity In Life Sciences

If you work in a Life Sciences company, you’re probably hearing more and more about Operational (OT) security. But what does this mean? An OT network consists of all of the systems that support operations, such as industrial control devices, lab processing equipment, and QC test instruments. Often, automation engineers and IT system administrators suddenly find themselves in charge of an OT Network. Anyone in that position may be wondering where to start when it comes to securing the network or simply proving that it is, indeed, secure.

Some Life Sciences companies still have lab and manufacturing systems on the same network as their business systems, which means they are competing for network resources against enterprise systems like email, Zoom or MS Teams. Some organizations have migrated certain systems to an OT Network, or Industrial Control Network (ICN), but haven’t completed the project. Others have segregated the networks nicely but aren’t enforcing good security practices. Sometimes the list of things you need to do to properly secure your OT networks is simply overwhelming.

Regardless, whatever you do, do something. Explore 15 low/no-cost solutions you can implement to help ensure your networks, and therefore operations, are safe.