```html The industrial world is undergoing a profound transformation, KuppingerCole reports in its recently released Leadership Compass: Secure Remote Access for OT/ICS. It asserts that Operational Technology (OT) and Industrial Control Systems (ICS)—the backbone of energy, manufacturing, transportation, water utilities, and other critical sectors—are increasingly interconnected with IT networks. This convergence enables real-time diagnostics, predictive maintenance, and rapid support, but it also expands the cyber-attack surface.