Previously, industrial environments operated completely separately. That is, the operational systems, responsible for controlling machines, sensors, and physical processes, were separated from IT. There was no integration with corporate networks, and the cloud was a distant concept. It was a closed and parallel world, where security mainly relied on physical control: disconnected local networks, systems without internet access, and old industrial protocols that were not designed with digital threats in mind.
But all of this has changed in recent years. With digitization, production lines, equipment, and industrial data need to communicate in real-time — not only within the factory but also with corporate systems and in the cloud. The integration of OT and IT has brought efficiency but also exposed vulnerabilities that didn’t exist before. Many industries still operate with legacy infrastructures, lacking proper protection against cyber-attacks, using old or outdated software, posing a significant risk.
Collaboration between IT and OT is essential to safeguard industrial networks
According to IDC, “As industrial operations increasingly rely on IT and cloud resources, managing OT security in isolation is no longer feasible. Collaboration between IT and OT is essential because threats can – and indeed do – cross networks. Malware and ransomware pose as great a threat to OT as targeted attacks on industrial control systems (ICS). These threats cross from IT to OT, for example, when a control engineer clicks on a malicious link in a phishing email, or when a service provider connects an infected thumb drive to an OT station.”
This is why there is an urgent need for innovation and cybersecurity to go hand in hand. Modernizing the industrial park with smart sensors, autonomous systems, and AI-based platforms will not be effective if these advancements are hindered from being executed due to a cyberattack. Each new technology implemented brings gains to the operation, but also expands the attack surface.
It is crucial to always remember that: an exposed environment is the same as a paralyzed operation; a paralyzed operation means incalculable losses. Innovation is only sustainable when accompanied by a protection strategy that evolves at the same pace. This includes everything from choosing vendors that prioritize security to continuous team training, access policies, network segmentation, constant updates, and full visibility of all connected assets. In Industry 4.0, protecting is as important as innovating – and there is no room left for these decisions to be taken separately.
How to deal with budget shortages?
One of the biggest obstacles to fulfilling this need is the budget – or rather, the lack of it. Many companies simply do not allocate funding to protect their systems, either due to ignorance of the risks or because they prioritize more visible investments, such as new equipment or production processes. In many cases, digital security is still not part of the strategic planning, being addressed only when an incident occurs. The problem is that, without adequate resources, it becomes impossible to implement effective solutions, update legacy infrastructures, or hire specialists.
MetaIndustry Initiative
In this context, important initiatives emerge such as the MetaIndustry, a project developed by the Brazilian Agency for Industrial Development (ABDI) in partnership with technology companies to accelerate digital transformation in the sector. Combining physical and digital infrastructure, MetaIndustry offers a controlled environment where companies of different sizes can test and validate technological solutions with low cost and high precision. The proposal is clear: reduce the barriers to entry for innovation, allowing more industries to experiment, adjust, and implement technologies safely and effectively, simulating real results in their operations. This is a necessary push for digitalization to be done responsibly, with planning, and above all, with security.
More than investing, it is necessary to evangelize
The industry needs to understand, clearly, that cybersecurity is part of the strategic budget. Protecting data, systems, and operations does not only mean avoiding damages but also gaining market trust, maintaining business continuity, and creating a strong foundation to grow. The more industrial leaders comprehend the real risks and concrete benefits of a preventive approach, the more prepared they will be to make decisions that strengthen the future of the operation. Security is not a cost: it is a competitive advantage in the era of Industry 4.0.
