Manufacturers rely on more than just traditional IT systems to keep operations running. On the shop floor, operational technology (OT)—such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs), sensors, and industrial control systems (ICS)—plays a vital role in production efficiency and uptime. As these systems increasingly connect to corporate networks, the line between IT and OT is disappearing, and the need for unified support has never been greater.
The Risks of Siloed Support
Many manufacturers still treat OT and IT as separate domains. But without coordination, that separation leads to vulnerabilities and inefficiencies:
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Critical OT systems may be running outdated firmware or unmanaged devices.
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Cyber threats that enter through IT networks can travel to industrial control systems.
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Lack of visibility into both environments can delay response to system failures.
This disconnect is more than a technical inconvenience—it’s a business risk. Unplanned downtime, data breaches, and production delays can result from misaligned support.
MSPs Built for IT-OT Convergence
Managed Service Providers (MSPs) with experience in the manufacturing space offer a solution. They don’t just provide helpdesk support for user laptops—they bring a holistic strategy that accounts for both IT infrastructure and OT systems.
Key ways MSPs support OT-IT integration:
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Network Segmentation & Monitoring: MSPs design and maintain network architectures that segment OT environments from IT traffic, while still allowing secure communication. This reduces the risk of malware spreading across systems.
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Patch Management for OT Devices: Many OT systems can’t be updated on a regular IT schedule due to uptime requirements. MSPs create tailored patching plans that account for production schedules, reducing vulnerability without interrupting operations.
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24/7 Monitoring & Alerting: MSPs provide round-the-clock visibility into both IT and OT systems, identifying abnormal behavior before it leads to a system failure or breach.
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Vendor Coordination: MSPs often act as a liaison between your IT team, OT vendors, and third-party integrators, ensuring that updates, changes, and security practices are aligned across all systems.
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Unified Incident Response: In the event of a cybersecurity incident or equipment failure, MSPs can respond with coordinated action across your entire environment—ensuring both office and production technologies are restored swiftly.
Supporting Uptime Without Compromising Security
Production never sleeps—and MSPs understand the cost of downtime. Their services are designed to balance maximum uptime with modern cybersecurity standards, keeping shop floor systems online and secure.
This includes:
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Business continuity planning for industrial systems.
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Air-gapped or backup OT control systems.
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Real-time telemetry from ICS and SCADA systems.
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Secure remote access policies for field technicians and engineers.
Expertise Beyond the Office
Not all IT providers understand what it takes to support manufacturing. MSPs experienced in this sector understand the nuances of both environments—like the importance of machine uptime, regulatory compliance (such as CMMC or NIST), and the need for rugged, always-on devices.
By acting as a true partner in your IT and OT strategy, the right MSP helps your business reduce risk, increase production reliability, and gain peace of mind knowing both sides of your operation are covered.
For more insights into how MSPs turn IT challenges into strengths, check out our article in the Indiana Business Journal here.
Every business faces IT challenges, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. Core Managed helps businesses secure their data, scale efficiently, and stay compliant. If you’re struggling with any of the issues discussed in this blog, let’s talk. Give us a call today at 888-890-2673 or contact us here to schedule a chat.