IT (Information Technology)

Information technology refers to the computing, networking, and software systems used to store, process, and move data for an organization's business operations — email, databases, business applications, and corporate networks. IT is the environment most people mean by "computers" in a workplace context.

IT is distinct from OT, which controls physical equipment and processes rather than managing information. Where IT typically prioritizes confidentiality and data integrity (protecting sensitive data, keeping records accurate), OT prioritizes availability and safety (keeping physical systems running without interruption or hazard). Modern facilities increasingly connect IT and OT systems together — see IT/OT convergence — which brings IT's data and analytics capabilities into industrial environments, along with IT-style security exposure that OT wasn't originally designed for.