For critical infrastructure owners and operators, AI offers increased efficiency and productivity, enhanced decision-making, reduced operational costs, and improved customer experiences. However, it is important that organisations consider and plan for potential risks.
Today, in collaboration with international partners, we have released guidance for critical infrastructure owners and operators on integrating AI into operational technology (OT) environments. The guidance outlines four key principles to leverage the benefits of AI in OT systems while minimising risk:
- Understand AI: Understand the unique risks and potential impacts of AI integration into OT environments, the importance of educating your staff on these risks, and the secure AI development lifecycle.
- Consider AI use in the OT domain: Assess the specific business case for AI use in OT environments, and manage OT data security risks, the role of vendors, and the immediate and long-term challenges of AI integration.
- Establish AI governance and assurance frameworks: Implement robust governance mechanisms, integrate AI into existing security frameworks, continuously test and evaluate AI models and consider regulatory compliance.
- Embed safety and security practices into AI and AI-enabled OT systems: Implement oversight mechanisms to ensure the safe operation and cyber security of AI-enabled OT systems, maintain transparency, and integrate AI into incident response plans.
Learn more about how your organisation can safely leverage the benefits of AI.