Industry Focus: How OT Networks Power Government Buildings

Government buildings and facilities leverage OT networks for building automation just like any other in the private sector. The core functions of their OT networks—managing HVAC, security, lighting, and other building automation systems—are the same. However, one key difference lies in the higher security, regulatory oversight, and mission-critical operations they need to abide by.

In this industry spotlight on state and local government-run buildings, let’s take a closer look at the premium on security and compliance, and see how a healthy, robust, and fully integrated OT network becomes a critical part of making that happen. 

The Song Remains the Same 

At its core, the role building automation plays in any government building is going to have the same goals as any private sector company:

• Managing HVAC, lighting, security, and access control systems to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• Fulfilling mandates for energy savings and sustainability.
• Managing physical security systems, including surveillance, key card access, and alarms, ensuring compliance with security protocols.
• Supporting redundancy, failover strategies, and remote monitoring to maintain uptime 
• Helping to adhere to strict environmental and safety regulations. 

As we know, all these systems rely on an Operational Technology (OT) network to operate. It’s the backbone that connects and integrates all these separate systems together. It also provides a crucial link to any facility’s larger IT infrastructure, as IT/OT convergence has become a requirement for modern cybersecurity.

As a result, government buildings also have the same concerns as any private sector company:

• Aging Infrastructure: Many government buildings operate on outdated systems, making network upgrades complex and costly.
• Interoperability Issues: OT networks in government facilities often include equipment from multiple vendors, leading to integration challenges.
• Regulatory & Compliance Hurdles: Government agencies must comply with evolving regulations, requiring constant updates to network security and operational policies.
• Limited IT/OT Collaboration: Many government facilities struggle to bridge the gap between IT and OT teams, leading to misaligned security and operational priorities.
• Budget Constraints: Funding for network upgrades or cybersecurity improvements may be limited, slowing down modernization efforts.
• Scalability Concerns: As government operations expand, OT networks must be able to scale efficiently without major disruptions.

What Makes OT Networks in Government Buildings Unique?

Government entities, their facilities, and operations are subject to a much higher level of scrutiny. As they should. Some of these buildings house the most sensitive and highly secure information, processes, and assets our nation’s people have entrusted to their care. That might sound a bit haughty, but it’s true: with that level of trust comes the expectation that everything will be safe and resilient.

With that in mind, here are a few key ways OT networks play a distinct role in government buildings compared to commercial or private-sector facilities:

Security and National Security Considerations

Security is a primary concern due to the sensitive nature of government operations.  While security is still important in non-government buildings, the risk profile is generally lower. 

OT networks are often overlooked in cybersecurity measures, making them a weak point for potential exploitation. Attackers can gain access to OT networks through remote connections, unpatched vulnerabilities, or insider threats, leading to disruption of essential services, data theft, and physical harm.

Cybersecurity Risk and Threat Landscape

Closely related to national security, government buildings may be targeted by nation-state actors and advanced persistent threats (APTs) aiming to breach critical infrastructure. Through proper security and IT protocols, OT networks must be air-gapped, segmented, closely monitored, and regularly audited to detect and prevent attacks.

While private businesses are still vulnerable to cyberattacks (e.g., ransomware), the risks are more financial or operational rather than state-level.

Mission-Critical Operational Continuity

Many government buildings house emergency response centers, law enforcement, or critical infrastructure support (e.g., military bases, power grid control centers), alongside public-facing programs that need continuity in the face of disaster. While uptime is essential for business continuity, downtime typically results in financial losses rather than national security risks or public safety concerns.

OT networks ensure uninterrupted communications, power, and environmental controls to maintain these services.

This is also a major concern for OT networks managing healthcare facilities, which we also profiled here.

Budget Constraints & Public Accountability

While private sector businesses can invest in OT infrastructure at their discretion, budgeting for OT networks typically goes through strict public procurement processes, audits, and regulatory approvals. This can slow down upgrades and modernization efforts.

Prioritizing cost efficiency, ROI, and budgeting become much more scrutinized, and the need to rely on legacy equipment often becomes a key concern for OT network managers.

Emergency Preparedness & Disaster Resilience

While non-government buildings may have emergency systems in place, private-sector facilities don’t house critical disaster recovery operations for public services. These buildings need to remain open and active when everything else is closed.

OT networks play a critical role in keeping government buildings responsible for managing emergency responses operating during emergency scenarios. Ensuring operational continuity for not only disaster recovery but many essential government services.

Integration with Smart City & Public Infrastructure

Government buildings often integrate with city-wide infrastructure, such as emergency response systems, municipal utilities, and traffic management. OT networks play a role in coordinating government operations with smart city technology.

Private sector buildings typically operate independently, with limited integration into public infrastructure beyond basic utility monitoring or city-wide energy programs.

Compliance with Strict Regulations

To make good on their commitments, government buildings must adhere to a slew of federal mandates that regulate OT security, access, and data protection. Non-government buildings may follow industry-specific regulations (such as HIPAA for healthcare or PCI-DSS for finance) but do not have the same level of federal oversight. Compliance failures can have national security implications.

And there are a lot. Here’s just a small overview of some of the legal regulations that government buildings in the United States are subject to and must prove compliance with:

Federal Regulations

• Executive Order 14028, “Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity”: Requires federal agencies to enhance cybersecurity measures, including the modernization of OT infrastructure to defend against sophisticated threats.
• FISMA (Federal Information Security Modernization Act)
  • Requires federal agencies to develop and implement security programs for information systems
  • Applies to OT networks that connect to federal information systems
• NIST Special Publications
  • NIST SP 800-82: Guide to Industrial Control Systems Security
  • NIST SP 800-53: Security and Privacy Controls for Federal Information Systems
  • NIST Cybersecurity Framework: provides standards, guidelines, and best practices
• DHS ICS-CERT Guidelines
  • Provides security recommendations for industrial control systems and SCADA systems
• FedRAMP (Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program)
  • For cloud-connected OT systems that interact with federal data
• Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Standards
  • Mandatory for energy sector OT networks (NERC CIP standards)
  • Similar standards for other critical sectors
• Department of Defense Requirements
  • DoD Instruction 8500.01 for cybersecurity
  • Risk Management Framework (RMF) compliance
  • Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) requirements
• Facility-Specific Requirements
  • DOE Order 205.1C for Department of Energy facilities
  • Security requirements specific to military installations

State Regulations

State regulations vary significantly but often include:

• State-Level Cybersecurity Laws
  • California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) implications for OT data collection
  • New York’s SHIELD Act and DFS Cybersecurity Regulation (23 NYCRR 500)
• Critical Infrastructure Protection Laws
  • Many states have specific requirements for OT systems in public utilities and critical infrastructure.
• Building Automation System Requirements
  • State-specific building codes that address networked control systems
  • Energy Efficiency Regulations Impacting Building Management Systems

Government OT Networks Need OptigoVN 

OptigoVN supercharges OT networks in government buildings with advanced visibility, diagnostics, network behavior monitoring, and compliance tools. Whether it’s helping to enhance cybersecurity, preventing small issues from cascading into unplanned downtime, or justifying budget needs, OptigoVN provides a cloud-based, proactive solution to help government agencies manage their OT networks more effectively and securely.

Key features of OptigoVN for government buildings and facilities:

• Enhanced Network Monitoring & Troubleshooting. OptigoVN provides deep network visibility, device-level insights, and real-time anomaly detection to prevent unauthorized access and cyber threats.
• Regulatory Compliance & Audit Readiness. OptigoVN logs historical data and helps ensure networks meet federal security standards.
• Ensuring Mission-Critical Uptime. OptigoVN enables remote monitoring and access sharing, delivers real-time alerts, and aids root cause analysis, allowing teams to quickly resolve issues before they impact essential services.
• Cybersecurity & Risk Mitigation. OptigoVN was built with both OT and IT professionals in mind, making network monitoring across BACnet traffic fast and intuitive. OptigoVN can also easily be shared with external vendors and other security experts. 
• Maximizing Budget Efficiency. OptigoVN helps justify network investments with detailed performance metrics and extends infrastructure lifespan by identifying inefficiencies.

Ready to see how OptigoVN can enhance your network’s performance and reliability? Sign up for a free or contact us today to schedule a personalized demo and discover the benefits of proactive network monitoring in healthcare.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is an OT network in a government building?

An Operational Technology (OT) network in a government building refers to the interconnected systems that manage and control physical processes such as HVAC, lighting, security, and access control. These networks are crucial for ensuring the efficient and secure operation of building automation systems.

2. Why are OT networks important for government facilities?

OT networks are vital in government facilities because they:

• Ensure the seamless operation of critical infrastructure.
• Enhance energy efficiency and reduce operational costs.
• Provide robust security measures to protect sensitive data and assets.
• Facilitate compliance with stringent regulatory standards.

3. How do OT networks differ between government and private sector buildings?

While both sectors utilize OT networks for building automation, government facilities often have:

• Higher security requirements due to sensitive operations.
• Stricter compliance mandates.
• Budget constraints that impact technology upgrades.
• Integration with public infrastructure and emergency response systems.

4. What challenges do government facilities face with OT networks?

Common challenges include:

• Aging infrastructure that may not support modern technologies.
• Interoperability issues between legacy and new systems.
• Limited collaboration between IT and OT departments.
• Budgetary limitations affecting maintenance and upgrades.
• Ensuring continuous operation during emergencies.

5. How can government buildings improve their OT network security?

Enhancing OT network security involves:

• Implementing network segmentation to isolate critical systems.
• Regularly updating and patching systems to fix vulnerabilities.
• Monitoring network traffic for unusual activities.
• Conducting routine security audits and compliance checks.
• Training staff on cybersecurity best practices.

6. What regulations govern OT networks in government buildings?

Government facilities must comply with various regulations, including:

• Executive Order 14028: Enhancing the nation’s cybersecurity.
• FISMA: Federal Information Security Modernization Act.
• NIST SP 800-82: Guidelines for industrial control systems security.
• FedRAMP: Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program for cloud services.
• NERC CIP: Critical Infrastructure Protection standards for the energy sector.

7. How does OptigoVN support OT networks in government buildings?

OptigoVN offers:

• Advanced network monitoring and diagnostics.
• Real-time anomaly detection to prevent unauthorized access.
• Tools to ensure compliance with federal security standards.
• Features that support mission-critical uptime and remote monitoring.
• Insights to justify budget allocations and improve operational efficiency.

8. Can OptigoVN integrate with existing building systems?

Yes, OptigoVN is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing building automation systems, including those using protocols like BACnet. This ensures enhanced visibility and control without the need for complete system overhauls.

9. Is OptigoVN suitable for facilities with budget constraints?

Absolutely. OptigoVN helps maximize existing infrastructure by identifying inefficiencies and providing data-driven insights, allowing facilities to make informed decisions without unnecessary expenditures.

10. How can I learn more about implementing OptigoVN in my facility?

To explore how OptigoVN can enhance your government’s building OT network, contact us for a personalized consultation or schedule a demo to see the platform in action.

FAQs are generated with the assistance of generative AI