OT, or operational technology, refers to the hardware and software used to control and monitor industrial processes, such as manufacturing, power generation and logistics or transportation. OT systems are typically found in industries such as manufacturing, energy and utilities, and include things like programmable logic controllers (PLCs), supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, and industrial control systems (ICS).
Cybersecurity in the context of OT refers to the protection of these systems from cyber attacks. These systems are typically designed to perform specific functions and are not connected to the internet, they are often considered to be "air-gapped" systems, which makes them less vulnerable to traditional forms of cyber attacks. However, as these systems become more connected to the internet, they are becoming increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats, such as malware and ransomware attacks. Devices and system introduced to air-gapped systems also add risk.