Converged Security in Oil & Gas: Where IT and OT Risks Meet

What Converged Security Really Means for Oil & Gas

In modern oil and gas operations, converged security is about protecting both information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) as a single, connected environment.

IT handles data, emails, business applications, servers and corporate networks.
OT controls pumps, valves, drilling systems, safety sensors, refineries and pipelines.

These two worlds used to live separately. Today they share data, connections, remote access and users across the same infrastructure. That’s where IT and OT cybersecurity risks merge – and why converged security in oil and gas has become critical for safe and reliable production.

Key IT and OT Security Risks in Oil & Gas

Risk #1: IT-to-OT Spillover
IT threats can now impact physical equipment. A phishing email, a stolen password or a compromised laptop can become a doorway into industrial control systems and SCADA networks.

What looks like a “simple” IT incident can escalate into downtime, safety issues or loss of visibility in the control room. IT and OT security can no longer be treated as separate programs when a single endpoint can pivot into critical field assets.

Risk #2: Weak OT Foundations
Many OT systems were never designed for today’s cyber threats. Industrial devices and legacy controllers were built for reliability and uptime, not for being permanently online and reachable from IT networks or the internet.

When these assets are connected without proper OT security controls, they become easy targets, even if your corporate IT security is strong. This gap is one of the biggest challenges in IT OT convergence for oil and gas companies.

Risk #3: Uncontrolled and Shared Access
Shared access and remote work significantly increase exposure. Engineers, operators, vendors and contractors often need access to both IT and OT environments, including remote access into offshore rigs or refineries.

When access is broad, outdated, shared between users or poorly managed, attackers gain more potential paths into critical systems. Uncontrolled privileged accounts and remote-access tools are a common weakness in converged security for oil and gas.

Practical Steps to Strengthen Converged Security

To reduce risk across IT and OT environments, oil and gas companies can focus on a few high-impact actions:

• Segment IT and OT networks to prevent easy lateral movement between them
• Maintain a live inventory of all assets connected across both IT and OT environments
• Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) and strict access rules for all users, including contractors
• Monitor OT-specific behaviour and process anomalies, not just traditional IT alerts
• Review and update remote-access tools and policies, especially for third-party vendors and field engineers

These steps create a stronger foundation for IT and OT cybersecurity and make it harder for attackers to move from an IT compromise into industrial operations.

How UDV Supports Converged Security in Oil & Gas

UDV helps oil and gas companies secure both IT and OT environments – from refineries and terminals to offshore platforms and pipelines – with solutions tested in real field conditions.

Our approach to converged security in oil and gas focuses on:

• Understanding how your IT and OT networks really interact
• Identifying weak points in remote access, shared accounts and legacy OT assets
• Aligning practical controls with your production reality and safety requirements

Ready to See Where Your IT and OT Risks Meet?

Want to understand where your IT and OT risks meet and how converged security can reduce downtime and safety exposure?
Let’s schedule a short, practical review focused on your specific oil and gas operations.