Glossary · OT cybersecurity
Security (IT and OT)
Also known as: Security
German: Sicherheit
In information and operational technology, security is the condition of systems, data and processes being protected against intentional or unintentional compromise of their confidentiality, integrity and availability, and the measures that achieve it. It is distinct from safety, which is freedom from unacceptable risk of harm.
- OT security
In one sentence
Security protects systems, data and processes against compromise of confidentiality, integrity and availability, and is distinct from safety.
Example
In the German manual, "Sicherheit" is translated as "security" in the chapter on user accounts and firewalls, and as "safety" in the chapter on guards and emergency stop.
How it applies
- Terminology: German uses "Sicherheit" for both safety and security. English documentation must decide each time: safety is about protecting people and the environment from harm; security is about protecting systems and data from compromise. A wrong choice can mislead readers about what a function does.
- Engineering: In OT, security goals are often ranked availability, integrity, confidentiality, while IT often starts with confidentiality. Security measures in machines must not reduce safety.
- Compliance: Security and safety are regulated separately, for example cybersecurity in the Cyber Resilience Act and safety in the Machinery Regulation, although the Machinery Regulation also requires protection against corruption where it affects safety.
- Documentation: Termbases should keep separate entries for safety and security with German equivalents ("Safety" or "funktionale Sicherheit" versus "Security" or "IT-Sicherheit"), and translators should be briefed on the distinction.
Security vs. safety
Safety protects people from the system; security protects the system from people and malware. An attack that disables a safety function is a security problem with safety consequences.