The convergence of information technology and operational technology has created one of the most challenging recruitment puzzles in cybersecurity today. As manufacturing plants, power grids, and critical infrastructure become increasingly connected, cyber directors find themselves scrambling to secure specialists who understand both digital threats and industrial systems.
Unlike traditional cybersecurity roles that focus on protecting data and networks, OT/ICS security demands professionals who can safeguard the physical processes that keep our world running. These specialists must think beyond firewalls and intrusion detection to consider how a cyberattack could shut down a factory floor or compromise a water treatment facility.
The talent shortage in this space isn’t just about numbers; it’s about finding professionals who can bridge two historically separate worlds. The recruitment strategies that work for standard cybersecurity positions often fall short when hunting for these hybrid experts.
Why OT/ICS security talent is harder to find than traditional cybersecurity professionals
The operational technology security talent pool remains remarkably shallow compared to traditional cybersecurity. While IT security professionals can transition between industries relatively easily, OT/ICS specialists need a deep understanding of industrial processes that takes years to develop.
Several factors contribute to this scarcity:
- Specialised technical environment: OT/ICS systems operate on legacy hardware with proprietary protocols that have been in place for decades, requiring years of hands-on experience to master
- Safety-critical operations: These systems control physical processes where downtime can mean safety hazards, environmental damage, or loss of life, demanding professionals who understand both cyber threats and operational safety
- Limited educational pathways: Few universities offer comprehensive operational technology security curricula, forcing most specialists to develop expertise through industrial experience rather than formal training
- Industry 4.0 acceleration: The rapid implementation of connected sensors and automated systems has outpaced the development of qualified professionals who can secure these environments
- Unique convergence challenges: Traditional cybersecurity measures can introduce latency or disruption that’s unacceptable in real-time control systems, requiring specialised knowledge to implement appropriate solutions
This convergence of IT and OT environments has fundamentally changed the security landscape, creating demand for professionals who can navigate both domains seamlessly. Unlike traditional cybersecurity roles where professionals can apply standard frameworks across industries, OT/ICS security requires deep understanding of specific industrial processes, safety systems, and operational continuity requirements. The result is a talent shortage that goes beyond simple supply and demand—it’s about finding individuals with a rare combination of skills that cannot be quickly developed or easily transferred from other cybersecurity disciplines.
What makes OT/ICS security specialists different from regular cybersecurity hires
OT/ICS security specialists possess a fundamentally different skill set that combines cybersecurity expertise with industrial engineering knowledge. These professionals must understand both cyber threats and operational continuity requirements, creating a unique professional profile that sets them apart from traditional cybersecurity hires.
Key differentiating capabilities include:
- Industrial protocol expertise: Deep knowledge of communication protocols like Modbus, DNP3, and EtherNet/IP, along with understanding of SCADA systems, programmable logic controllers, and human-machine interfaces
- Safety systems integration: Comprehensive understanding of safety instrumented systems, emergency shutdown procedures, and fail-safe mechanisms to ensure security measures enhance rather than compromise safety functions
- Operational continuity focus: Ability to develop security strategies for systems that require continuous operation and cannot be easily updated or taken offline for maintenance
- Reversed risk prioritisation: Understanding that availability, integrity, and confidentiality must be prioritised differently in industrial environments, with system availability often taking precedence over data protection
- Industry-specific knowledge: Specialised understanding of sector requirements, whether power generation and grid stability, manufacturing processes and quality control, or water treatment and environmental regulations
- Physical impact awareness: Ability to coordinate incident response with operations teams while understanding the physical implications of security incidents and prioritising safety alongside security objectives
These distinctive competencies reflect the reality that OT/ICS security operates at the intersection of cybersecurity and industrial engineering. While traditional cybersecurity professionals excel at protecting information assets, OT/ICS specialists must safeguard the physical processes that drive business operations. This requires not just technical expertise, but also operational wisdom gained through experience with industrial systems, making these professionals uniquely valuable and correspondingly difficult to find and develop.
How to identify qualified OT/ICS security candidates during recruitment
Evaluating OT/ICS security candidates requires a more nuanced approach than traditional cybersecurity recruitment. Technical assessments must balance cybersecurity knowledge with operational technology expertise, and interview processes need to explore both domains thoroughly.
Effective candidate evaluation strategies include:
- Industry experience validation: Prioritise hands-on experience in industrial environments over formal education, looking for backgrounds in engineering, operations, or maintenance roles within power generation, manufacturing, oil and gas, or water treatment
- Dual-domain technical assessment: Evaluate both cybersecurity fundamentals and OT-specific knowledge, including network segmentation in industrial environments and understanding of industrial protocols and their security implications
- Scenario-based problem solving: Present real-world challenges that require balancing security requirements with operational needs, such as securing legacy systems or managing incidents without disrupting physical processes
- Cross-functional collaboration evaluation: Assess ability to communicate security concepts to operations teams, maintenance personnel, and safety engineers who may lack cybersecurity knowledge
- Regulatory framework knowledge: Test understanding of relevant standards and compliance requirements specific to industrial sectors and their impact on security implementation
- Continuous learning commitment: Look for evidence of staying current with emerging threats, new technologies, and evolving best practices through professional organisations or industry conference participation
The most effective evaluation approach combines technical competency testing with practical scenario assessment, recognising that OT/ICS security success depends as much on operational judgment as technical skill. Candidates who can demonstrate both cybersecurity expertise and genuine understanding of industrial operations represent the rare combination of skills needed to excel in these critical roles, making thorough evaluation essential to identifying professionals who can truly bridge the gap between IT security and operational technology.
Common recruitment mistakes that cost organisations top OT/ICS talent
Many organisations approach OT/ICS security recruitment with traditional cybersecurity hiring practices, inadvertently driving away qualified candidates. Understanding these common pitfalls helps cyber directors avoid costly mistakes that can extend recruitment timelines and result in poor hiring decisions.
Critical recruitment errors to avoid include:
- Inadequate salary benchmarking: Applying standard cybersecurity salary ranges without recognising that OT/ICS specialists command premium compensation due to their unique expertise and the critical nature of systems they protect
- Misaligned role requirements: Creating job descriptions that either overemphasise traditional IT security skills while minimising OT requirements, or demand unrealistic combinations of extensive OT experience with advanced cybersecurity expertise
- Extended recruitment timelines: Implementing lengthy interview cycles and slow decision-making processes that lose qualified candidates to more agile competitors in a limited talent pool
- Poor operational impact messaging: Focusing solely on technical requirements without emphasising the role’s importance to operational continuity and business impact, missing opportunities to engage mission-driven candidates
- Inadequate interview panel composition: Using hiring managers who cannot speak knowledgeably about OT environments, creating negative candidate experiences and questioning organisational commitment
- Unrealistic availability expectations: Demanding immediate start dates without recognising that qualified OT/ICS specialists often have significant operational responsibilities requiring extended notice periods
- Geographic inflexibility: Refusing to consider remote work or relocation assistance when many qualified specialists work in industrial locations outside major metropolitan areas
These recruitment mistakes reflect a fundamental misunderstanding of the OT/ICS security talent market and the unique characteristics of qualified professionals in this field. Successful recruitment requires recognising that these specialists represent a premium talent segment with distinctive motivations, career patterns, and professional requirements. Organisations that adapt their recruitment strategies to acknowledge these realities position themselves to attract and secure the specialised talent needed to protect their critical operational technology infrastructure effectively.
The complexity of OT/ICS security recruitment demands specialised expertise and a deep understanding of both cybersecurity and operational technology domains. Success requires moving beyond traditional hiring approaches to embrace strategies that recognise the unique nature of these critical roles. When you’re ready to build your OT/ICS security team with professionals who truly understand both cyber threats and operational requirements, we’re here to help you navigate this challenging talent landscape and connect with the specialists who can protect your critical infrastructure.
If you are interested in learning more, reach out to our team of experts today.
