Convergence of OT and IT for Internet Plus

Abstract

The convergence of operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) has become the key to industrial digital transformation and high-quality development of the manufacturing industry. This study analyzes the demands for the convergence of OT and IT and summarizes the convergence status of the two technologies from the aspects of industrial Internet of Things, cross-platform analysis framework, open platforms, and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system based on cloud deployment. It also proposes the technical paths for OT and IT convergence, including establishing a full set of computing stack, continuously promoting the industrial Internet, and strengthening the security assurance. To promote China’s Internet Plus initiative in industrial manufacturing, the standardization of OT and IT convergence should be strengthened, and a security system should be established by conducting risk assessment of key assets, paying attention to underlying data, developing a detecting system with anti-intrusion functions, detaching the communication function, and promoting the application of artificial intelligence.