Building a Business Case for OT Cybersecurity Budgets

Investing in OT cybersecurity is not just a technical necessity; it is a business imperative. However, securing executive buy-in requires a clear, compelling business case that demonstrates value beyond risk reduction.

This can be particularly challenging for technical management within organizations that may have the technical expertise to understand the importance of OT cybersecurity, but may not be able to translate this into a strong business case written in the language senior management understands. Below are a few basic rules that can assist in this process.

Key elements of a strong business case can vary significantly depending on organizational size and role within the OT ecosystem:

For OEM/Machine Builders:

• Product Differentiation: Position built-in security features as competitive advantages that command premium pricing

• Liability Mitigation: Reduce exposure to lawsuits and warranty claims from security-related incidents

• Regulatory Compliance: Meet evolving cybersecurity standards and certification requirements for market access

• Customer Trust: Demonstrate commitment to security to win contracts with security-conscious buyers

  
  

For Facility Owners/Operators:

• Risk Quantification: Estimate the potential financial, operational, and reputational impact of a cyber incident

• Regulatory Compliance: Highlight the costs of non-compliance, including fines and lost contracts

• Operational Resilience: Show how cybersecurity investments enhance uptime, reliability, and customer trust

• Competitive Advantage: Position security as a differentiator in the marketplace

  
  

Scale Considerations: Organizational scale is also a consideration in terms of OT cyber security. Small organizations typically focus on cost-effective, essential protections and regulatory compliance, while large enterprises can justify comprehensive security programs through detailed ROI calculations, risk modeling, and strategic competitive positioning. Enterprise-level business cases often emphasize portfolio-wide risk reduction and integration with broader digital transformation initiatives.

To build support for OT security initiatives:

• Align with Business Objectives: Connect cybersecurity goals to broader organizational priorities.

• Communicate in Business Terms: Avoid technical jargon; focus on outcomes and ROI.

• Leverage External Benchmarks: Use industry data and case studies to illustrate best practices and results.

About RubyComm: RubyComm delivers tailored operational technology (OT) cybersecurity solutions for industrial environments where standard products fall short. Based in Israel with a U.S. presence, we secure critical systems for industrial manufacturers, infrastructure operators, medical equipment providers, energy producers, and smart building managers. Our competitive advantage lies in creating customized security architectures that address the specific challenges conventional solutions cannot: functionality limitations in specialized settings, complex operational environments requiring precision approaches, prohibitive pricing structures, and technical expertise gaps within client organizations. Unlike one-size-fits-all offerings, RubyComm's solutions maintain operational efficiency while providing comprehensive protection, transforming security from a product purchase into a strategic partnership. Our team of specialists is strategically positioned to scale our proven methodology, meeting the rapidly growing demand for sophisticated OT security across vital sectors worldwide.