The convergence of IT and operational technology environments creates unprecedented vulnerabilities as cyberattacks increasingly impact physical infrastructure. Recent data shows physical impacts from cyber incidents surged 146% in one year, with OT dependencies on IT networks remaining the primary attack vector. Organizations face critical decisions during incidents - balancing containment against recovery when operations cannot afford downtime.

Effective cyber resilience demands more than incident response plans; it requires governance frameworks, risk-based programs addressing third-party vulnerabilities, and integrated disaster recovery processes. Many organizations struggle when incidents strike, highlighting the need for preparation that bridges knowledge gaps between IT and OT practitioners.

The joint session by Chris Johnson of WSP and Alexander Rau of KPMG will explore:

• Key threat trends and operational challenges emerging from IT/OT convergence;
• Practical approaches to cyber readiness and integrated incident response planning;
• Governance, third-party risk and resilience strategies for 24/7 critical operations.