The evolution of Operational Technology (OT) has given rise to various cybersecurity challenges. While some industry leaders have addressed them, significant gaps in the ecosystem remain.On the one hand, OT systems emerged as primarily industry and sector-focused and have remained isolated for decades. This has limited the incentives for standardization and the cross-sectoral sharing of best practices.On the other hand, the rapid advancement and proliferation of connective technology has enabled OT innovation and improved performance – while also creating new vulnerabilities.In this context, the GCF has launched a global multi-stakeholder Operational Technology Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (Center) with the strategic intent to provide a global platform for extending the boundaries of shared knowledge and facilitating multi-stakeholder collaboration to advance shared interests in OT cybersecurity.

The Center’s work will focus on the highest priority shared areas of need in the global OT landscape in five primary areas:

• Capability Development: Enabling individuals, organizations, and nations to enhance knowledge, improve existing skills, and develop competencies to meet current and future talent requirements of the OT cybersecurity ecosystem.
• Standards and Policy Advocacy: Establishing and promoting consistent and widely accepted practices, specifications, or protocols and advocating for specific policies or regulations to influence and shape government decisions in the space of OT cybersecurity.
• Research and Innovation: Exploring and developing new ideas, methods, products, or processes that advance knowledge and lead to meaningful improvements in OT cybersecurity.
• Thought Leadership Generation: Providing authoritative and innovative sources of ideas, insights, and expertise in OT cybersecurity, influencing and guiding others with valuable perspectives and knowledge.
• Awareness-raising: Making deliberate efforts to inform, educate, or alert individuals or the public about OT cybersecurity with the aim of increasing understanding, consciousness, or recognition of OT cyber vulnerabilities

The Center intends to serve its members and the global OT cybersecurity ecosystem by aiming to be:

• A truly global Center of Excellence (OTC-CoE) that represents and serves the shared interests of a diverse range of companies, sectors, and countries in the OTC ecosystem;
• The global thought leader that advances the boundaries of practical knowledge regarding OT cybersecurity;
• An enabler of productive and innovative multi-stakeholder collaboration on shared OT cybersecurity priorities.