By Eoin Ó Riain
Cyber Ireland’s Operational Technology Cybersecurity (OTSec) Special Interest Group (SIG) provides a platform for industry end-users to share information, best practices and support capability building across organisations and sectors.
The OTSec SIG met at the Cyber Ireland National Conference on the 26th September, Galway. It discussed how EU regulations (NIS2.0) will impact OT security, Lifecycle Management in OT Security, and Real-World Challenges for OT Security.
- Welcome and Introduction – Dónal Óg Cusack, OTSec Chair
- Understanding NIS 2.0 and its Impact on OT Security – Ita O’Farrell, NCSC
- Lifecycle Management in OT Security – Damian Whyte, DataLogix
- Real-world Case Studies – Billy O’Connor, DePuy Synthes
Ita O’Farrell, Head of Compliance, National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), outlined the work of the National Cyber Security Centre and the impending NIS2 regulation. The political agreement (NIS2) was formally adopted by the European Parliament and then the European Council in December 2022. It entered into force in January 2023. Member States now have until 17 October 2024, to transpose its measures into national law. The NCSC are expanding their services now to small and medium-sized enteprises(SMEs) through the development of an SME Cyber Security Document.
Damian White, of DataLogiX Solutions, specialists in securing OT networks used by manufacturers and processes presented on Lifecycle Management in OT Security. He stressed the importance of ensuring that management were aware of the importance and the very different challenges facing the production process in their factories.
The view of the user was presented by Johnson & Johnson’s Billy O’Connor. He spoke of the importance of understanding the differences experience from the IT perspective and the operators’ integrity. There has always been a tension here, noting that “The IT people are trying to break away from their relationship with OT and the OT didn’t know that there was a relationship!”
Perhaps the real answer is communication and trust.
OTSec Group
Find more information on how to join the OTSec SIG and our upcoming activities – here
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Next OTSec Event
Join us at the ISA Ireland OT Cybersecurity Conference, in partnership with Cyber Ireland, at the Mullingar Park Hotel, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, Tuesday 21dt of November 2023
Guidelines for Papers: Link to the Conference paper call
All submissions and enquiries related to the ‘Call for Papers’ should be directed via email to [email protected].
