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IT (Information Technology) vs. OT (Operational Technology)

Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) are two distinct areas within an organization that serve different purposes. IT is primarily concerned with the management of data, including its storage, retrieval, and transmission. It encompasses technologies for networking, information processing, enterprise data centers, and cloud systems. IT systems are used for data-centric computing and are responsible for maintaining consistent policies and control across the organization, protecting sensitive applications and confidential data from unauthorized access.

Operational Technology (OT), on the other hand, refers to the hardware and software that monitors and controls physical devices, processes, and infrastructure, particularly in industrial settings. OT is focused on the direct control and management of physical equipment, machinery, and processes. It includes systems like robots, industrial control systems (ICS), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and computer numerical control (CNC) machines. OT is crucial for production output, worker safety, and is directly tied to company revenues due to its impact on uptime and maintenance of machinery.