Safeguarding Industrial Operations from Cyber-Physical Threats

Safeguarding Industrial Operations from Cyber-Physical Threats

Cybersecurity incidents in operational technology (OT) environments can have immediate physical, operational, and business consequences. Strengthening cybersecurity without compromising safety, availability, or productivity requires organizations to move beyond written policies and put recognized standards into practice.

This interactive discussion will explore how organizations are applying the ISA/IEC 62443 series of OT cybersecurity standards across industrial environments. Participants are encouraged to share their experiences, lessons learned, and practical approaches involving structured assessments, cross-functional alignment, workforce training, and long-term program sustainability.

The conversation will also introduce relevant ISA resources that can support OT cybersecurity and automation professionals working in advanced manufacturing.

Discussion Topics1.) What are the greatest challenges organizations face when implementing ISA/IEC 62443 in operational environments?2.) How can cybersecurity improvements be introduced without negatively affecting safety, availability, or productivity?3.) What assessment methods are most effective for identifying cyber-physical risks and prioritizing action?4.) How can operations, engineering, IT, cybersecurity, and leadership teams establish effective cross-functional alignment?5.) What role do workforce training and organizational culture play in creating a sustainable OT cybersecurity program?6.) What lessons have participants learned from implementing or evaluating OT cybersecurity standards in practice?