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In today’s manufacturing landscape, the convergence of IT (Informational Technology) and OT (Operational Technology) systems plays a critical role in driving efficiency, empowering in-depth data analysis, and optimizing operations. This integration enables real-time monitoring and facilitates well-informed decision-making by consolidating data from diverse sources. However, it also brings significant security challenges, as it expands the potential for attacks and amalgamates traditionally isolated systems. The heightened connectivity between IT and OT may create vulnerabilities that malicious actors could exploit to disrupt operational processes and access sensitive data. As a result, comprehensive and advanced security strategies are imperative to fortify these integrated environments.
In this free webinar, we will verify truths and address common misconceptions about industrial network security that allow our IT and OT audience to gain valuable insights based on client experiences. You will leave with best practices and practical solutions that enhance the security of the IT and OT environments in your facility.
E Tech Group team members, Matt Smith, Network Architect, and Laurie Cavanaugh, Vice President of Business Development leads this webinar debunking security myths while deliver tips and best practices on OT network security.
Complete the form and view the full webinar.
E Tech Group is seeing a trend across industries as more and more clients are progressing on their digital transformation journey – a transition away from traditional black box solutions to open-source and flexible integrated systems. This is a result of clients wanting more ownership of their systems and the desire for more customizable system data.
The field of networking is undergoing a massive transformation as more artificial intelligence-based tools make their way into products and services. Traditional enterprise networks are immediately poised to benefit and grow as more tasks that used to require costly networking expertise are automated.
A material handling company wanted their network integrated and optimized. Our automation engineers documented and assessed the client’s IT/OT Infrastructure to help identify critical components near obsolescence or end of life.
A large material handling client saw an opportunity for IT/OT convergence, a need to identify vulnerabilities, potential obsolescence, and wanted to push for network optimization. Because we have a good working relationship with this client, we were immediately one of the integrators considered to do the work and the request for a bid was sent over.
E Tech Group, along with another vendor were given the opportunity to perform an initial assessment and based on the results would determine who was awarded this project. If awarded, E Tech Group engineers would be responsible for walking all 32 of their facilities to assess their IT and OT networks while compiling a list of requested data presented in their proposal.
To begin, their IT provided our team documentation around program files for PLCs, HMIs, Drives and we were granted Visios to view network topology. We then requested and were given some network access using different protocols to show where their PLCs, HMIs and Drives were connected on their IT network so they could see deeper into their topology rather than just where their IT switches were.
Once this information was gathered, compiled and returned, it was time to walk the site. We began by utilizing an app that was reworked to help us gather and consolidate the data required for the assessment. Our engineers went panel by panel collecting the requested data and pictures.
From there, it was all entered into the app and allowed us to produce a spreadsheet helping facilitate the build of the first asset database. It then took us a couple of weeks to organize everything into usable data that would allow them to identify the lifecycle of all at risk items that might soon fall into obsolescence and would require optimization or need to be replaced.
Utilizing the report provided by our team, the customer liked the work we had and done and decided to have us alone move forward in walking their remaining facilities to compile the same kind of assessment.
Learn more about IT/OT assessments: the process, the benefits and how E Tech Group can be your partner through it all!
Download our Beginner’s Guide to IT/OT Assessments to gain an understanding of what an IT/OT Assessment is, its benefits, and how to get started today.
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