In the past, industrial environments operated completely separately. That is, operating systems responsible for controlling machines, sensors, and physical processes were separate from IT. There was no integration with corporate networks, and the cloud was something very distant. It was a closed and parallel world where security relied mainly on physical control: disconnected local networks, systems without internet access, and outdated industrial protocols that were not designed with digital threats in mind.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 just within the factory but also with corporate systems and the cloud. The integration between OT and IT has brought efficiency but also exposed vulnerabilities that didn’t exist before. Many industries still operate with legacy infrastructure, lacking adequate protection against cyberattacks, outdated software, and this has become a major risk.
Collaboration between IT and OT is essential to protect 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 do—cross networks. Malware and ransomware pose as great a threat to OT as targeted attacks on industrial control systems (ICS). These threats move 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 USB drive to an OT workstation.’
That’s why there is an urgent need for innovation and cybersecurity to go hand in hand. Modernizing industrial plants with smart sensors, autonomous systems, and AI-based platforms won’t be efficient if these advancements are hindered by a cyberattack. Every new technology implemented brings operational gains but also expands the attack surface.
And it’s crucial to always keep in mind: an exposed environment is the same as a stalled operation, and a stalled 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 suppliers that prioritize security to continuous training for teams, along with 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’s no longer room for making these decisions separately.
How to deal with budget limitations?
One of the biggest obstacles to addressing this need is budget—or rather, the lack of it. Many companies simply don’t allocate funds to protect their systems, whether due to unawareness of the risks or prioritizing more visible investments like new equipment or production processes. In many cases, digital security still isn’t part of strategic planning, only being addressed after an incident occurs. The problem is that without adequate resources, it’s impossible to implement effective solutions, update legacy infrastructure, or hire specialists.
MetaIndústria Initiative
In this context, important initiatives emerge, such as the MetaIndústria project, developed by the Brazilian Agency for Industrial Development (ABDI) in partnership with technology companies to accelerate the digital transformation in the sector. Combining physical and digital infrastructure, MetaIndústria provides a controlled environment where companies of all sizes can test and validate technological solutions at low cost and high precision. The proposal is clear: reduce barriers to innovation, enabling more industries to experiment, adjust, and implement technologies safely and effectively, simulating real-world results in their operations. It’s a necessary push to ensure digitization is done with awareness, planning, and, above all, security.
More than investing, there’s a need to educate
The industry must clearly understand that cybersecurity is part of the strategic budget. Protecting data, systems, and operations isn’t just about avoiding losses—it’s about gaining market trust, ensuring business continuity, and building a solid foundation for growth. The more industrial leaders understand the real risks and tangible benefits of a preventive approach, the better prepared they’ll be to make decisions that strengthen the future of operations. Security isn’t a cost: it’s a competitive advantage in the Industry 4.0 era.
