Operational Technology (OT) is at the heart of modern life, from the power that lights our homes, to the water we drink, to the systems that fuel our economy. Yet today, these systems face unprecedented risks.
Why It’s a Race
The urgency to defend OT is shaped by global conflict and geopolitical realities. Monty pointed to China’s stated military modernization goals:
- 2027: The People’s Republic of China (PRC) aims to have the capability to reunify with Taiwan.
- 2036: Completion of major force modernization.
- 2049: Emergence as the world’s leading military force.
While 2027 does not guarantee action, the ability alone poses an enormous challenge. Taiwan produces the majority of the world’s advanced chips, hardware at the core of global business, government, and defense. Any disruption would send shockwaves through the global economy.
Operational Technology in Modern Conflict
Unlike past wars, conflicts today play out across both physical and digital domains. “The wars we fought before didn’t have the internet,” Monty noted. “Today, someone sitting halfway around the world can disrupt a water plant in the U.S.”
This reality makes OT, the systems running energy, water, transportation, and other critical services, a prime target in times of conflict. Hacktivists and state-aligned actors alike can cause real-world consequences from afar, even without direct government sanction.
Critical Infrastructure Under Pressure
The U.S. has identified 17 critical infrastructure sectors, each a lifeline but also a potential weak point.
- Energy: The backbone of all other systems.
- Water: Essential but still without federal cybersecurity standards.
- Fuel & Transportation: One pipeline attack disrupted the East Coast; multiple simultaneous hits could overwhelm recovery.
Because these systems are interconnected, one failure often cascades into others. As Monty explained, “Even to move water, I need electricity. To deliver fuel, I need both power and fuel.”
The urgency is amplified by the rise of hacktivism. Groups motivated by ideology, like Anonymous or pro-Russian collectives in the Ukraine conflict, can create real effects, whether or not their actions are government-backed. The Colonial Pipeline attack showed how even a single incident can ripple across the economy; imagine if several pipelines or water plants went down at once. Local shortages would quickly escalate into national emergencies.
As Monty warned, “The question isn’t if something will happen, it’s how long we can live without power, water, or fuel once it does.” Many operators don’t fully understand how their infrastructure is architected or how it interfaces with cyber. These unknowns are exactly what adversaries exploit. In such a tightly interdependent ecosystem, even small disruptions can spark chain reactions we’re not prepared for. Confronting these vulnerabilities demands more than awareness, it calls for action from industry, government, and the public alike.
Industry, Government, and the Public: Shared Responsibility
Industry’s Role
Industry leaders must acknowledge vulnerabilities openly. “Ego aside, fear of losing your job aside, we have to be transparent about the state of the environment,” Monty emphasized. Without honesty, solutions can’t take shape.
Government’s Role
Government oversight works when paired with industry collaboration. The energy sector is a success story, with FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) and NERC (North American Electric Reliability Corporation) establishing enforceable standards.
The water sector, however, lacks such requirements, leaving a critical gap. Monty urged federal leadership to set cybersecurity requirements while enabling industry to apply and audit them effectively.
The Public’s Role
Most people don’t know what OT is, often confusing it with occupational therapy. Yet OT powers daily essentials. Citizens can:
- Learn where their power, water, and fuel come from.
- Prepare for emergencies with basic resilience planning.
- Demand transparency and accountability from local utilities.
- Advocate for resources and support at the government level.
As Monty put it, “The government is still the people. You, me, everybody in a community are the voice that drives our representatives.”
The Path Forward
The race to defend OT is not optional. From global conflict to local resilience, the risks are too real to ignore. Solutions will require:
- Transparency across industries.
- Collaboration between government and private sector.
- Awareness and advocacy from everyday citizens.
Critical infrastructure is not just technology, it’s our way of life. Recognizing its urgency is the first step in ensuring it remains secure, resilient, and capable of supporting future generations.
