CPD-accredited Industry Masterclass Series, delivered in collaboration with Siemens
This session tackled one of the most misunderstood risks facing UK manufacturers today: Operational Technology (OT) Cyber Security.
As factories become more connected, PLCs, control systems and legacy production assets are increasingly exposed to risks they were never designed to handle. OT Cyber Security is not the same as IT security, and misunderstanding that difference leaves manufacturers vulnerable.
This engineering-led session cut through the complexity and gave SME manufacturers a clear, practical framework for understanding OT Cyber Security and taking confident first steps.
What you’ll learn
- OT security is not IT security.
IT protects data and can patch or reboot at short notice. OT protects production and people, where availability and safety come first and you can’t take a line down mid-shift. Applying IT thinking to OT is where most problems start. - Assuming you’re secure is the biggest risk of all.
Most factories are far more connected than the site drawing suggests, contractor laptops, remote support links, engineering workstations, USB-based maintenance. The first practical step isn’t buying technology, it’s knowing what’s actually on your network. - Progress beats perfection.
SMEs don’t need a large budget or a dedicated security team to start. Network segmentation, tighter remote access, controlled removable media and a patching approach that fits production reality deliver disproportionate risk reduction.
Hosted By:
Laura Hayton – Head of Business Development, Transicon
Niall Sephton – Senior Project Engineer, Transicon
Marie Aylward – Cyber Security & Networking Sales Specialist, Siemens
