Managing remote access has become increasingly complicated, especially for organizations running a mix of IT and OT environments. Between external contractors, legacy systems, cloud infrastructure, and different access requirements, keeping everything secure and under control isn't always straightforward.
And while establishing a secure connection is important, it's only one part of the challenge. Organizations also need to think about who has access to critical systems, how permissions are managed, and what happens once someone connects.
In a recent webinar with our partner Mintly, we discussed some of the practical challenges of securing remote access across IT and OT environments. Here are five key points from that conversation worth taking a closer look at.
1. A secure connection doesn't necessarily mean secure access
Providing an encrypted connection is important, but it's only part of the picture. Once someone connects to a critical system, what determines which resources they can access? Who approves their permissions? And what happens during the session?
These questions become especially important when users have elevated privileges. Privileged access management (PAM) extends security beyond the connection itself, introducing more granular control over permissions, authentication, and user activity.
Whether someone is managing cloud resources, accessing a server, or maintaining industrial equipment, the goal is to make sure access is appropriate, authorized, and traceable.
2. Privileged access shouldn't last longer than needed
Not every user needs permanent access to critical systems. An engineer might need elevated permissions for a maintenance task, while an external contractor may only need access to a specific application for a few hours.
Keeping those privileges active indefinitely creates unnecessary exposure. Just-in-time (JIT) access offers a more flexible alternative. Permissions can be requested and approved for a specific task or period instead of remaining permanently available.
There are exceptions, of course. Critical environments also need processes for emergency access when waiting for standard identity provisioning isn't practical. The objective isn't to make access harder. It's to make sure the right people have the right permissions when they actually need them.
3. IT and OT don't always need separate approaches
IT and operational technology (OT) have different priorities. IT teams manage everything from cloud infrastructure and applications to development environments. OT teams work with production equipment, industrial networks, and systems where even a small disruption can have serious consequences.
It's understandable that organizations have traditionally approached access security differently in these environments. But many of the underlying challenges are similar: managing identities, controlling privileged permissions, securing third-party connections, and maintaining visibility.
A consistent approach to access management can help organizations address these shared requirements while accommodating differences in infrastructure and operational processes.
This is particularly relevant for organizations managing a combination of cloud services, traditional IT systems, and legacy industrial equipment.
4. Knowing who connected is only half the story
Imagine a critical system stops working after a maintenance session. Access logs might tell you who connected and when, but can they show what actually happened?
For sensitive systems, understanding user activity can be just as important as controlling access in the first place. Session monitoring, recordings, and audit trails provide additional visibility into privileged operations. They can help teams investigate incidents, review changes, and establish accountability.
Organizations should also be selective about what they record, considering privacy requirements, retention periods, and the sensitivity of the information involved.
The important question isn't simply who had access, but whether there's enough visibility to understand what happened during that access.
5. Security needs to work with existing infrastructure
Few organizations operate in a perfectly standardized environment. Cloud platforms may sit alongside on-premises systems. Industrial networks may contain equipment that's been operating for decades. Different sites may have their own identity directories, network architectures, and maintenance requirements.
Introducing new security controls into these environments isn't always straightforward. For example, some systems cannot easily be updated or modified. Others operate in isolated networks or require specialized connection protocols.
A practical approach to remote access needs to account for these realities rather than requiring every environment to be redesigned. The most effective solutions are those that strengthen security while respecting how existing systems and teams operate.
Managing remote access across IT and OT environments isn't always simple, especially when different systems, users, and security requirements are involved.
Having clear processes for granting access, managing permissions, and monitoring sessions can make a real difference. It helps security teams maintain control while allowing employees and external partners to get on with their work.
At SSH Communications Security, we help organizations address these challenges with PrivX, our privileged access management solution for both IT and OT environments.
Together with our partner Mintly, we combine secure access technology with expertise in network architecture, implementation, and managed services. Mintly also offers PrivX as a fully managed service, helping organizations secure remote access while reducing the burden of day-to-day management.
Want to improve how privileged access is managed across your IT and OT environments?
Explore SSH PrivX PAM or visit Mintly to learn more about their services.
