--- title: IT/OT Convergence Is Redefining OT Security description: OT security is under pressure. Discover how IT/OT attacks target critical infrastructure and what your organization must do to stay protected. image: https://blog.easi.net/hubfs/Fortinet%20Notice%20%289%29.png --- [![Home](https://blog.easi.net/hubfs/easi-logo.svg)](https://easi.net) Hit enter to search - [All](https://blog.easi.net/en) - [Adfinity](https://blog.easi.net/en/tag/adfinity) - [Cloud](https://blog.easi.net/en/tag/cloud) - [Easi](https://blog.easi.net/en/tag/easi) - [Microsoft](https://blog.easi.net/en/tag/microsoft) - [Rooftop](https://blog.easi.net/en/tag/rooftop) - [Security](https://blog.easi.net/en/tag/security) - [SmartSales](https://blog.easi.net/en/tag/smartsales) - [Spoom](https://blog.easi.net/en/tag/spoom) [Go back to the blog](https://blog.easi.net/en?hsLang=en) # [IT/OT Convergence Is Redefining OT Security](https://blog.easi.net/en/it-ot-convergence-is-redefining-ot-security) [![Author Avatar](https://blog.easi.net/hubfs/GNEY.png) Gerrit Neyrinck Expert Security Engineer](https://blog.easi.net/en/author/gerrit-neyrinck) OT security is no longer a niche topic reserved for industrial specialists. Today, we observe that most OT environments aren’t hacked, but simply accessed.  Earlier this year, coordinated cyberattacks targeted multiple organizations in Poland’s energy sector, including wind farms, solar plants, and a major combined heat and power facility. What makes this incident particularly alarming is not just the scale, but the lack of complex exploits: attackers relied on exposed VPN access, weak authentication, and poor segmentation to move from IT into OT.  It reflects a clear shift: attackers are no longer targeting only IT environments, but are actively exploiting the connection between IT and Operational Technology (OT). Our security expert Gerrit Neyrinck explains why this scenario was not exceptional, but rather expected:  | ###  Table of contents: 1. [The Attack Surface is Expanding](https://blog.easi.net/en/it-ot-convergence-is-redefining-ot-security#surface-expanding-1) 2. [OT Security Weaknesses Start With Remote Access](https://blog.easi.net/en/it-ot-convergence-is-redefining-ot-security#Remote-access-2) 3. [From IT Breach to OT Impact](https://blog.easi.net/en/it-ot-convergence-is-redefining-ot-security#OT-impact-3) 4. [Why OT Security Still Falls Behind](https://blog.easi.net/en/it-ot-convergence-is-redefining-ot-security#OT-still-behind-4) 5. [OT Security Is a Business Risk Beyond IT](https://blog.easi.net/en/it-ot-convergence-is-redefining-ot-security#business-risk-5) 6. [OT Security Priorities for 2026](https://blog.easi.net/en/it-ot-convergence-is-redefining-ot-security#Prios-2026-6) | | --- | ## The Attack Surface is Expanding Traditionally, Operational Technology (OT) environments — such as SCADA systems, substations, and industrial controllers — were isolated, but that is long gone. To enable remote monitoring, maintenance, and efficiency, OT environments are increasingly connected to IT systems. In the Polish incident, attackers leveraged exactly this convergence: - Remote access to substations via VPN - Connectivity between IT systems and industrial controllers - Centralized management through SCADA environments   👉  These connections are essential for operations, but also **create a direct attack path into critical infrastructure**. ## OT Security Weaknesses Start With Remote Access The Polish CERT report highlights a recurring issue in OT security: - Internet-exposed VPN gateways - No multi-factor authentication (MFA) - Reused credentials across multiple sites This allowed attackers to scale access quickly across environments. Once inside, they leveraged: - RDP access to internal systems - Jump hosts for lateral movement - Misconfigured permissions 👉 This is not advanced hacking, but exploiting weak foundations. ## From IT Breach to OT Impact The most critical takeaway? This was not a data breach. It was a destructive attack on operational systems. The attackers: - Corrupted firmware on industrial controllers - Disabled communication between systems - Deployed wiper malware across IT environments - Attempted to destroy entire infrastructures The impact went beyond IT, and directly affected operational visibility and control.  👉 CERT Polska describes these actions as comparable to digital sabotage. ## Why OT Security Still Falls Behind Despite growing threats, many organizations still treat OT security differently from IT. Common gaps include: ⚠️ Default Credentials Still Exist Industrial devices often run with: - Default usernames and passwords - Weak authentication mechanisms ⚠️Lack of Network Segmentation Flat networks allow attackers to: - Move from IT to OT - Access critical systems without barriers ⚠️ Legacy Systems OT environments prioritize uptime, meaning: - Patching is delayed - Security controls are limited   👉 All of these gaps result in high-value environments with low security maturity ## OT Security Is a Business Risk Beyond IT This is where OT security becomes strategic, because a successful attack can lead to: - Operational downtime - Production loss - Safety risks - Regulatory non-compliance (e.g. NIS2) - Reputational damage   👉 This is why OT security is increasingly a C-level concern.  ## OT Security Priorities for 2026 To reduce risk, organizations should focus on: 💡Securing remote access - Enforce MFA everywhere - Eliminate shared accounts - Monitor all remote sessions - ... 💡Segmenting IT and OT networks - Define clear zones - Restrict lateral movement - ... 💡Removing default configurations - Change all default credentials - Harden industrial devices - ... 💡Improving visibility - Monitor OT environments continuously - Detect anomalies early - .... 💡Aligning with [compliance frameworks](https://easi.net/en/services/governance-risk-and-compliance) - NIS2 - ISO 27001 - IEC 62443 - ... ## Conclusion: From Awareness to Action The key lesson is simple: OT environments are no longer “too specific” to be targeted. They have become prime targets. The convergence of IT and OT means that actions such as a single compromised VPN account, a single reused password or a single misconfiguration can lead to operational disruption. Source: [Republic of Poland - Ministry of Digital Affairs - Energy Sector Incident Report](https://cert.pl/en/uploads/docs/CERT_Polska_Energy_Sector_Incident_Report_2025.pdf)   --- ### How Easi Supports Your OT Security Strategy At Easi, we help organizations secure their **IT/OT ecosystem**. Our approach includes: - OT security assessments - Network segmentation strategies - Secure remote access implementation - Continuous monitoring and response 👉 Discover more about our approach on [IT security](https://easi.net/en/cybersecurity-networking) and [OT security](https://easi.net/en/solutions/security/OT-Operational-Technology-Security) 👉 Contact us for tailored guidance | ![GNEY (1)](https://blog.easi.net/hs-fs/hubfs/GNEY%20(1).png?width=200&height=200&name=GNEY%20(1).png) | | --- | | [Gerrit Neyrinck](mailto:g.neyrinck@easi.net) Expert Security Engineer |   ### Join our upcoming event: [![BCDOT 2026 (3)](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/473564/interactive-210394539354.png)](https://blog.easi.net/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLIFgN1Ke2033ERvsxVpeZZ40glEW16lrwrN4kN%2FUjEwa5GkQ6YKYLBHOJqzHi4YaUK0hSC%2BdwjztSDHKC9Y4KWQ9FKLk5lm6WyRZIr0%2B1ZxdK50lSK62NxArR0%2BxKL7fQa5KNrNEB%2BFjVI08HLbO%2B6%2BESHanXvZgx7OR5N3QIlsZpYnmQnMNIdcKEtX6VlgJtJR3ZHM9KWCAX97&webInteractiveContentId=210394539354&portalId=473564&hsLang=en)   [OT security](https://blog.easi.net/en/topic/ot-security?hsLang=en) ## Current job openings We are constantly looking for new colleagues! 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