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Fact or Fiction: Debunking IT/OT Industrial Network Security Myths
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.
Cassy Gardner, Director of Operations at E Tech Group, recently presented “How to Get the Most Out of Your FEED Study” in an exclusive webinar. She provided a high-level overview of what a FEED study entails, explained the reasons for conducting one, and discussed various examples and challenges.
When a prominent manufacturer wanted to observe and interact remotely with their production line in real-time, E Tech Group software developers brought their 3D game development expertise to deliver an innovative digital twin of the line. The twin mimics the behavior of its real-life counterpart in real time, visible in a 3D environment via web interface.
Challenge
In the mining industry, the ability to quickly respond to process changes is essential. One minor process change can negatively affect resource extraction and cause expensive periods of downtime. To help manage their complex operations, mining companies rely on supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems to oversee their industrial processes locally or at remote locations; however, these systems are oftentimes outdated which cause operational challenges. This was the case for a mining company focused on gold recovery who needed to upgrade their legacy SCADA system for enhanced control capabilities across multiple locations. E Tech Group was engaged to support their mining operations by upgrading their outdated SCADA system.
Solution
The gold-mining company needed to efficiently monitor and control its assets across multiple remote locations. The E Tech Group team strategized project deployment considerations with various stakeholders at the gold-mining company to maximize the customer’s efficiency and data acquisition efforts with the new SCADA system. E Tech Group applied their Solution Experts Business approach and staffed the project with control engineers specialized in SCADA solutions for a smooth deployment process.
The customer chose Ignition, an industrial application platform from Inductive Automation, to standardize their SCADA architecture due to its scalability and intuitive design features. As a Premier Ignition System Integrator, E Tech Group applied their expertise in Ignition implementation to streamline the migration process and enhance the company’s ability to make quick process decisions with real-time data reporting.
Results
Within a few short months, the E Tech Group team successfully supported the gold mining company’s migration to a new SCADA system. “For many companies, implementing the right SCADA system can save significant money, time, and process headaches. The peace of mind that SCADA provides from its remote visibility and asset control benefits is priceless and supports more real-time, data-driven production decisions”, says Pedro Bertoni, E Tech Group Project Manager about the advantages of SCADA systems.
E Tech Group is continuing to support the gold-mining company with upgrades to their programable logic controllers as well as data acquisition enhancements from remote panels.