From water treatment plants and public utilities to traffic management systems, communities rely on operational technology (OT) every day. These systems help deliver essential public services, but they also present a unique cybersecurity challenge. OT environments often include specialized and legacy equipment that can be difficult to identify, manage, and secure using traditional IT tools.

That’s why OT asset visibility is so important.

According to guidance from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), building a comprehensive OT asset inventory is a foundational step toward improving both cybersecurity and operational resilience. Before agencies can manage risk, respond to threats, or plan for future investments, they need a clear understanding of the assets operating across their environments.

CISA outlines a five-step framework that starts with defining objectives and identifying assets. From there, agencies can categorize devices, maintain accurate data, and manage asset life cycles more effectively. The goal is to create a complete, up-to-date view of the systems that support critical operations.

Why does this matter? Because a lack of visibility creates blind spots. If agencies don’t know what assets they have, where they’re located, or what risks they carry, securing those systems becomes much more difficult. In OT environments, a cybersecurity incident can impact essential services that residents depend on every day.

The bottom line is simple: asset visibility is the foundation of OT cybersecurity. When agencies know what assets they have and the risks associated with them, they can move from reactive security practices to a more proactive approach that strengthens resilience and helps protect critical public services.

Want to learn more? Watch this new video, Using CISA’s OT Guidance to Secure Public Infrastructure, to see how CISA’s OT guidance can help your agency build a stronger foundation for cybersecurity, improve operational resilience, and better protect the services your community depends on every day.