Navigating the Future with AI: Transforming IT and OT Collaboration for Cyber Resilience

In the evolving landscape of technology, the integration of Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) has emerged as a critical conversation piece. This discourse isn't about rehashing familiar arguments or reiterating my own previously stated views. Instead, I want to highlight a crucial aspect of this convergence in the era of artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI, particularly in enhancing cyber defense and resilience. A significant number of companies in critical infrastructure sectors continue to operate within the confines of IT/OT silos, hindering the potential of shared data and information resources.

The focus of this discussion shifts to AI's transformative role, particularly generative AI's impact on cyber resilience. AI technologies have evolved from unsupervised to supervised discriminative models and now to generative models. These advancements substantially improve operations management, efficiency, serviceability, and cybersecurity. Generative AI, known for its data-intensive training methods involving deep learning and Large Language Models (LLMs), thrives on diverse data inputs. This diversity enhances the model's effectiveness, highlighting the limitations imposed by IT/OT data isolation. In simple terms, maintaining isolated data silos drastically reduces the potential benefits of AI technologies.

However, the narrative around AI in cybersecurity extends beyond its benefits. Described as a double-edged sword in many publications, AI poses significant risks. Cyber adversaries, unencumbered by corporate bureaucracy or outdated data management practices, exploit advanced AI tools to their advantage. They utilize integrated data models and benefit from the increased attack surfaces created by the proliferation of adversarial AI tools in corporate environments.

To my fellow professionals in this field, the time for action is now. We must recognize the urgency of breaking down IT/OT silos and embrace the collaborative potential of AI in strengthening our cyber defenses. Let's chart a new course for IT and OT cooperation, one that is informed by the possibilities and challenges of the AI-driven era.