Asset Inventory and Management the IT versus the OT Way

How do you balance the needs of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT), two domains that are often at odds with each other with priorities and protocols? How do you ensure the security, efficiency and safety of both the digital and the physical aspects of your operations?

In this episode, Dino Busalachi and Jim Cook take us on a deep dive into the complex worlds of asset and inventory management within both IT and OT, two crucial parts of a manufacturing or critical infrastructure organization. Drawing from their extensive experience, they reveal the unique challenges and methodologies of each domain.

They discuss the common lack of understanding around operational technology equipment, and the safety and performance implications of asset and inventory management for the industrial plant floor.

Whether you are an IT or OT professional, a business leader, or a curious listener, this episode will enlighten you on the dynamics of IT and OT, and inspire you to adopt a holistic and collaborative approach to asset inventories and management. Listen and learn how IT and OT can work together to create a more secure and efficient world.

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Unpacking IT vs. OT Asset Inventories
• 00:01:10 - The Crucial Role of Asset Inventories in Security
• 00:04:50 - Manufacturing Challenges: Inventory Management Insights
• 00:07:55 - Visual Inspections' Role in OT Inventory Checks
• 00:08:46 - Solving OT Network Connectivity Issues
• 00:11:30 - Implementing Passive Intrusion Detection in OT
• 00:14:56 - Addressing OT Network Sensitivity Challenges
• 00:16:18 - Lockout Tag Use in Operational Safety
• 00:17:50 - Leveraging Deep Packet Inspection for OT Security
• 00:22:06 - Integrating IT Strategies into OT Security
• 00:26:51 - OT's Impact on Minimizing Downtime
• 00:30:44 - Initiating OT Security Measures
• 00:33:14 - Highlighting the Risks in Neglecting OT Security

Links And Resources:

• Velta Technology
• Dino Busalachi on LinkedIn
• Jim Cook on LinkedIn
• Craig Duckworth on LinkedIn

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Industrial Cybersecurity Insider? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and Google Podcasts to leave us a review!