STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The worlds of IT and operational technology (OT) are converging, and IT leaders must manage their transition to converging, aligning and integrating IT and OT environments, according to Gartner, Inc. Analysts say the benefits that come from managing IT and OT convergence, alignment and integration include optimized business processes, enhanced information for better decisions, reduced costs, lower risks and shortened project timelines.
An independent world of physical-equipment-oriented technology is developed, implemented and supported separately from the IT groups. For simplicity, Gartner refers to physical-equipment-oriented technology as "operational technology" (OT).
"The relationship between the IT and OT groups needs to be managed better, but more importantly, the nature of the OT systems is changing, so that the underlying technology — such as platforms, software, security and communications — is becoming more like IT systems," said Kristian Steenstrup, research vice president and Gartner fellow. "This gives a stronger justification for IT groups to contribute to OT software management, creating an IT and OT alignment that could be in the form of standards, enterprise architecture (EA), support and security models, software configuration practices, and information and process integration."
IT and OT are converging in numerous important industries, such as healthcare, transportation, defense, energy, aviation, manufacturing, engineering, mining, oil and gas, natural resources, and utilities. IT leaders who are impacted by the convergence of IT and OT platforms should consider the value and risk of pursuing alignment between IT and OT, as well as the potential to integrate the people, tools and resources used to manage and support both technology areas.
"A shared set of standards and platforms across IT and OT will reduce costs in many areas of software management, and reduced risks come from reducing malware intrusion and internal errors," Mr. Steenstrup said. "Cybersecurity can be enhanced if IT security teams are shared, seconded or combined with OT staff to plan and implement holistic IT-OT security. 'Security through obscurity' was an acceptable policy with most older-generation OT platforms because of their proprietary architectures and limited connection to IT. It is no longer possible to rely on this maxim, because OT platforms have evolved to use commercial generic infrastructures."
With IT and OT converging, the scope of CIO authority may cater to the needs of planning and coordinating a new generation of operational technologies alongside existing information- and administration-focused IT systems. The key change for CIOs may be that their role moves from leading the IT delivery organization to leading the exploitation of the business assets of processes, information and relationships across all technologies in the enterprise — IT or OT, whether delivered, supported, or managed by the formal IT organization or elsewhere.
"The intersection of IT and OT changes the relative importance of IT management disciplines for the IT organizations concerned. CIOs and other IT leaders need to evaluate and realign their roles and relationships to maximize the value of converging IT and OT," said Mr. Steenstrup. "CIOs have a great opportunity to lead their enterprises in exploiting information flows from digital technologies. By playing this role, they can better enable decisions that optimize business processes and performance."
More information is available in the report "IT and Operational Technology: Convergence, Alignment and Integration" which can be found on Gartner's website at http://www.gartner.com/resId=1548729. This research is part of the Special Report on IT and Operational Technology Alignment which can be found at: http://www.gartner.com/technology/research/it-ot-alignment/. The Special Report includes links to more than 30 reports related to IT and OT issues, and a video with Mr. Steenstrup. It also includes a replay of the recent Gartner webinar “Integrate Operational Technology and IT for Business Success” at http://my.gartner.com/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=202&mode=2&PageID=5553&ref=webinar-rss&resId=1541815&prm=WB_ITOT11R.
About Gartner
Gartner, Inc. (NYSE: IT) is the world's leading information technology research and advisory company. Gartner delivers the technology-related insight necessary for its clients to make the right decisions, every day. From CIOs and senior IT leaders in corporations and government agencies, to business leaders in high-tech and telecom enterprises and professional services firms, to technology investors, Gartner is the valuable partner to 60,000 clients in 11,000 distinct organizations. Through the resources of Gartner Research, Gartner Executive Programs, Gartner Consulting and Gartner Events, Gartner works with every client to research, analyze and interpret the business of IT within the context of their individual role. Founded in 1979, Gartner is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, U.S.A., and has 4,400 associates, including 1,200 research analysts and consultants, and clients in 85 countries. For more information, visit www.gartner.com.