# Operational Technology

Operations · `operational technology` · verification: source checked

Operational technology (OT) is the set of programmable systems and devices that interact with the physical environment, or that manage devices which do. These systems detect or cause a direct change by monitoring and/or controlling devices, processes and events. Examples given include industrial control systems, building management systems, fire control systems and physical access control mechanisms.

## Specification

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Kind | system |
| Origin | NIST glossary (NIST SP 800-37 Rev. 2) |

## Study notes

- NIST SP 800-37 Rev. 2 defines OT as programmable systems or devices that interact with the physical environment (or manage devices that interact with the physical environment).
- The definition states that these systems/devices detect or cause a direct change through the monitoring and/or control of devices, processes and events.
- NIST SP 800-37 Rev. 2 also lists the term 'operations technology' as a synonym.
- Examples listed under NIST SP 800-37 Rev. 2: industrial control systems, building management systems, fire control systems, physical access control mechanisms.
- NIST SP 800-160 Vol. 2 Rev. 1 repeats the definition with 'or' in place of 'and/or'.
- NIST SP 800-172r3 defines OT as the hardware, software and firmware components of a system used to detect or cause changes in physical processes through direct control and monitoring of physical devices.
- NIST SP 800-82r3 broadens the examples to industrial control systems, building automation systems, transportation systems, physical access control systems, and physical environment monitoring and measurement systems.
- NIST SP 1800-10B carries the NIST SP 800-37 Rev. 2 definition in adapted form.
- NISTIR 8183, NISTIR 8183 Rev. 1 and NISTIR 8183A Vol. 1-3 attribute the definition to Gartner.com: hardware and software that detects or causes a change through direct monitoring and/or control of physical devices, processes and events in the enterprise.

## Sources

1. [operational technology - Glossary | CSRC](https://csrc.nist.gov/glossary/term/operational_technology) (accessed 2026-10-25)

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