Effective zero trust migration strategies for CISOs in OT and ICS environments

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Executive Summary

Operational Technology (OT) and Industrial Control Systems (ICS) networks face unprecedented cybersecurity challenges in 2025 as digital transformation accelerates convergence with IT systems. Traditional perimeter-based security models prove inadequate against sophisticated threats targeting critical infrastructure. Zero Trust architecture emerges as the essential framework for securing industrial environments, yet implementation remains complex due to legacy constraints, operational requirements, and cultural barriers.

This whitepaper provides Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) with actionable strategies for migrating OT/ICS networks to Zero Trust architectures. Based on recent industry research and real-world implementations, we outline practical approaches that balance security enhancement with operational continuity. Key findings indicate that organizations implementing phased Zero Trust migrations report 57% fewer unauthorized access incidents and 41% faster threat containment, while maintaining critical system availability above 95%.

The analysis covers fundamental challenges unique to OT environments, proven migration frameworks, technological solutions, and organizational transformation requirements. We present evidence-based recommendations for CISOs to lead successful Zero Trust initiatives that protect critical infrastructure without compromising industrial operations.

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