The security of the OT environment is an important area affected by the growing complexity in cyberspace. Though the convergence of IT and OT is a recognized dynamic, they remain distinct in their characteristics and the attention they require, with IT and OT teams traditionally working at different ends of the technology stack and data flow. They tend to approach, prioritize and govern cybersecurity differently. Lack of collaboration on a formal IT/OT convergence strategy hinders the secure digitalization of industrial environments.43 Strategic planning for OT security typically takes place over long timelines, is often dependent on highly specialized suppliers and therefore does not have the same agility to adapt within the typical investment lifespan of production systems, as is common in IT systems. Organizational cyber resilience is the sum total of resiliency of all parts, which means that IT and OT can no longer be treated in isolation as holistic risk-management strategies are designed.Complexity at the intersection of IT and OT Schneider Electric’s products are integral to several vital infrastructure providers such as power plants, solar farms, critical buildings and data centres that operate in increasingly connected environments. Given the importance of these sectors to national and global resilience, cybersecurity is of the utmost priority. Consequently, Schneider Electric uses “security by design” with secure development life-cycle principles and independent penetration testing for its products while emphasizing securing its factories for manufacturing. Further, Schneider Electric embraces “security by operations”, including continuous monitoring and real-time threat detection, which is central to protecting operational environments through the entire value chain, with clarified responsibilities to maintain robust security measures at every stage. It also prioritizes regular security assessments and updates to ensure its systems remain resilient against evolving cyber threats. A key initiative, developed in partnership with BitSight, involves scanning the internet and detecting exposed unsecured OT protocols that are “open doors” to critical environments and proactively mitigating associated risks in collaboration with customers and authorities. Through these efforts, Schneider Electric demonstrates a commitment to working collaboratively with all relevant stakeholders and leveraging advanced security technologies to create a more secure and reliable operational environment for its customers.CASE STUDY 6 Schneider Electric’s comprehensive approach to operational technology (OT) cybersecurity 35 Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025