What is the term for a communications network designed to implement an industrial control system?

The term for a communications network designed to implement an industrial control system is Operational Technology (OT). OT refers to the hardware and software that detects or causes changes through direct monitoring and control of physical devices, processes, and events in the industrial environment. It encompasses the technology used to manage and monitor physical devices in industrial operations, such as those found in manufacturing, energy, and utility sectors.

This term is distinct from Information Technology (IT), which generally focuses on the use of systems for managing data and information within organizational contexts but does not typically involve direct control of physical processes. Additionally, cloud computing refers to the delivery of computing resources over the internet, while network infrastructure encompasses the physical and virtual resources that enable network connectivity and communication, but does not specifically target industrial control systems. Therefore, Operational Technology is the correct and precise term used in the context of industrial control networks.