Cyberwarfare / Nation-State Attacks , Fraud Management & Cybercrime , Governance & Risk Management

Psychological Strategies for Bridging the IT-OT Divide

Security leaders face significant challenges in securing OT environments, especially with increasing geopolitical disruptions and psychological barriers. Trish McGill, IT and OT cybersecurity expert at Ilionx, emphasized the importance of addressing these psychological factors to bridge the IT-OT divide.

See Also: Effective Communication Is Key to Successful Cybersecurity

"Understanding the human element and the psychology behind resistance to change is crucial," McGill said. "Building trust and fostering communication between IT and OT teams are the first steps toward effective cybersecurity."

Organizations often grapple with the overwhelming nature of existing regulations and the need to maintain continuous operations. McGill recommends a nuanced approach that considers the unique needs and dynamics of both IT and OT teams.

Relationship management and patient, incremental implementation of cybersecurity measures will help the process. "If you don't look at the organizational change components, you can't implement cybersecurity measures," she said.

In this video interview with Information Security Media Group, McGill discussed:

• How geopolitical disruptions impact OT environments and strategies organizations can follow to mitigate risks;
• Psychological obstacles to implementing effective security measures;
• Techniques for fostering collaboration between IT and OT teams.

With over 20 years of experience in corporate, financial, oil and gas, chemical, manufacturing, government, military, and technology sectors, McGill is considered a leading trusted advisor and executive subject matter expert worldwide. She has long been relied upon to navigate the complexities of cybersecurity regulations across the globe and designed numerous strategies to implement realistic cybersecurity measures. She is a keynote speaker and panelist at various worldwide conferences, is a member of roundtables and guest speaker for a prominent cybersecurity vlog and podcast. She also invests in coaching cybersecurity interns during internships.