Why New Zealand IT Managers Must Embrace Operational Technology Security Platforms
As New Zealand’s critical infrastructure and industrial assets become increasingly digitised, cybersecurity risks tied to operational technology (OT) environments continue to rise.
Operational Technology (OT) environments in New Zealand face unprecedented cybersecurity risks as digital transformation accelerates. While IT leaders have traditionally prioritised information technology (IT) systems, the convergence of IT and OT now demands equal focus on securing critical industrial systems. Recent research conducted by Fortinet shows that 96% of organisations expect challenges as they move towards IT-OT convergence, yet the benefits in operational efficiency, cost savings, and innovation are too significant to ignore. This Nextro insight explores why embracing an OT security platform is essential for aligning with strategic goals like vendor consolidation and IT/OT convergence.
The Growing OT Threat Landscape
The rapid integration of IT and OT systems has expanded the potential attack surface. Threats once limited to IT now have pathways into OT, impacting industrial control systems (ICS) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) networks. Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting cyber-physical systems (CPS) in OT and critical infrastructure sectors, resulting in productivity losses, revenue hits, damage to brand reputation, compromise of business-critical data, and even risks to physical safety. In the past year, 9 out of 10 OT organisations globally experienced at least one intrusion, with malware and phishing being the most common attack vectors.
Why New Zealand IT Managers Need an OT Security Platform
The ongoing skills shortage across cybersecurity and network roles is magnified in OT, where specialised knowledge is critical. Historically underfunded and overlooked, OT teams are now overwhelmed. Increased cyberattacks have accelerated the demand for better cybersecurity protection for OT networks and their underlying systems.
The complexity of securing OT environments, combined with a shortage of skilled personnel, makes platform-based security essential. An OT security platform enables IT and OT convergence, vendor consolidation, and centralised management, simplifying operations while reducing the total cost of ownership. It also provides the flexibility to address evolving threats, ensures operational continuity, and supports strategic goals such as zero-trust security adoption.
For example, the Fortinet OT Security Platform integrates secure networking, security service edge (SSE), OT-specific security operations (OT SecOps), threat intelligence, and a broad ecosystem of technology partners. This unified approach eliminates the need for multiple disjointed products, reducing vendor sprawl and enhancing security posture across both IT and OT networks.
Key Considerations for Secure Digital Transformation
Organisations embarking on industrial digital transformation should assess potential security partners against several criteria:
– Full edge-to-cloud security coverage, from ruggedised firewalls and secure switches in industrial zones to cloud security capabilities.
– SD-WAN integration to improve ROI while enhancing security.
– Support for OT-specific protocols and asset discovery tools.
– Federated management and air-gapped licensing for secure deployments.
– An extensive partner ecosystem that integrates with existing vendor solutions.
– Converged IT/OT security operations for streamlined management and rapid incident response.
Capabilities of a Modern OT Security Platform
A comprehensive OT security platform should provide:
– Network segmentation and microsegmentation to isolate critical assets.
– Virtual patching to protect unpatched systems, with thousands of vulnerability signatures covering major ICS vendors.
– Asset discovery, compliance reporting (e.g., IEC 62443, NERC CIP), and risk analysis.
– Integrated threat detection, incident response automation, and deception technologies such as honeypots.
– AI-powered network detection and response for sub-second threat identification.
Supporting Consolidation and Convergence
At Nextro, we understand the unique cybersecurity demands of industrial operations in New Zealand. As a trusted partner for converged IT and OT security solutions, we help New Zealand businesses implement OT security platforms that align with operational requirements while strengthening cybersecurity resilience.
For New Zealand IT managers, the path forward involves leveraging OT security platforms to unify security controls, reduce complexity, and bridge the IT/OT divide. This approach not only strengthens defences against increasingly sophisticated threats but also supports operational priorities such as production reliability and personnel safety.
With the right platform, consolidation and convergence become achievable, enabling organisations to securely advance their digital transformation goals while safeguarding critical infrastructure.
Ready to secure your OT environment and simplify your vendor landscape? Talk to the team at Nextro today to explore how our Fortinet platform-led security solutions can support your digital and operational priorities.