In OT, this often means a device or software that connects and translates between different networks or protocols. For example, a protocol gateway might connect a Modbus device to a Profibus network, translating data so both sides understand. Or a gateway could link an isolated control network to a plant DMZ network (with tight security controls). Essentially, whenever two parts of the system that “speak different languages” need to communicate, a gateway is the intermediary that makes it possible (while ideally keeping things secure and compatible).
