Previously, industrial environments operated completely separately. In other words, the 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where security mainly depended on physical control: disconnected local networks, systems without internet access, and outdated industrial protocols that were not designed with digital threats in mind.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 digitalization, production lines, equipment, and industrial data need to communicate in real time — not only within the factory but also with corporate systems and the cloud. The integration between OT and IT brought efficiency, but also exposed vulnerabilities that did not exist before. Many industries still operate with legacy infrastructures, without adequate protection against cyberattacks, outdated or obsolete software, and this has become a major risk.
The collaboration between IT and OT is essential to protect industrial networks
According toIDCAs industrial operations increasingly rely on IT resources and the cloud, managing OT security in isolation is no longer feasible. The collaboration between IT and OT is essential because threats can – and indeed do – cross networks. Malware and ransomware pose a threat to OT as significant 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 USB drive to an OT station.
That 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 artificial intelligence-based platforms will not be effective if these advancements are prevented from being implemented due to a cyberattack. Each new technology implemented brings gains to the operation but also expands the attack surface.
And it is always necessary to keep in mind that: an exposed environment is the same as a halted operation, a halted operation is synonymous with countless losses. Innovation is only sustainable when it is accompanied by a protection strategy that evolves at the same pace. This includes everything from selecting suppliers who prioritize security to continuous team training, as well as 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 longer room for these decisions to be made separately.
How to deal with the lack of budget?
One of the biggest obstacles to fulfilling this need is the budget — or rather, the lack of it. Many companies simply do not allocate funds to protect their systems, either due to lack of awareness 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 such as MetaIndústria emerge, 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, MetaIndústria 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: to reduce entry barriers to innovation, allowing more industries to experiment, adjust, and implement technologies safely and effectively, simulating real results in their operations. It is a necessary push for digitalization to be carried out with awareness, planning, and, above all, safety.
More than investing, it's necessary to evangelize
The industry needs to understand clearly that cybersecurity is part of the strategic budget. Protecting data, systems, and operations does not just mean avoiding losses, but gaining market trust, maintaining business continuity, and creating a solid foundation for growth. The more industrial leaders understand the real risks and concrete benefits of a preventive approach, the better 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.
