Which term describes software and hardware designed to detect or cause changes in industrial operations through direct monitoring and/or controlling of industrial physical devices?

Which term describes software and hardware designed to detect or cause changes in industrial operations through direct monitoring and/or controlling of industrial physical devices?

• A. Industrial Control Systems (ICS)
• B. Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS)
• C. Operational Technology (OT)
• D. Information Technology (IT)

Answer: (C)

Operational Technology describes the software and hardware designed to monitor and control physical industrial processes. It covers devices like PLCs, SCADA, DCS, and RTUs that directly interact with sensors and actuators to detect changes and enact control on machines, plants, or infrastructure in real time. This focus on interfacing with the physical world differentiates OT from other terms. Industrial Control Systems is a common way to refer to the control portion within OT, but the description given centers on the broader category of OT itself. Cyber-Physical Systems is a wider concept encompassing many domains beyond industrial settings, while Information Technology deals with data and information processing rather than direct control of physical devices. Therefore, the best fit is Operational Technology.

Operational Technology describes the software and hardware designed to monitor and control physical industrial processes. It covers devices like PLCs, SCADA, DCS, and RTUs that directly interact with sensors and actuators to detect changes and enact control on machines, plants, or infrastructure in real time. This focus on interfacing with the physical world differentiates OT from other terms. Industrial Control Systems is a common way to refer to the control portion within OT, but the description given centers on the broader category of OT itself. Cyber-Physical Systems is a wider concept encompassing many domains beyond industrial settings, while Information Technology deals with data and information processing rather than direct control of physical devices. Therefore, the best fit is Operational Technology.