OT & ICS Network Segmentation
Right-sized Solutions to fit all complex environments
As ransomware and other threats to manufacturing, distribution, and Research and Development (R&D) environments continue to make headlines, segmenting these Operational Technology (OT) environments from the business network, or Information Technology (IT) environment, becomes increasingly important. Business assets, such as users’ laptops and desktops, are at a much higher risk of exposure to malware and other bad actors due to the use of email, web browsing, and general Internet access. Proper network segmentation services can significantly reduce risk by adding a foundational layer of protection from the business network.
The LeveL5Cyber (L5C) team specializes in the planning and execution of large-scale OT network segmentation programs, having completed hundreds of implementations in more than twenty countries around the world.
How Can OT/ICS Network Segmentation Services Help Your Business?
Success in OT network security involves a holistic approach with extensive planning and communications, especially when beginning an OT/ICS Network Segmentation project. Collaboration with stakeholders, including process engineers and maintenance teams, makes a significant difference. LeveL5Cyber leverages decades of hands-on experience to provide tailored, industry-leading services that aim to minimize vulnerabilities, streamline security, and safeguard against disruptions to your business.
Our team understands the unique challenges that exist in an OT environment.
The duration, scope, and complexity of each program will depend on a number of client-specific factors, including resources, budget, timing and confidence. We can offer vetted processes, templates and “lessons learned” adapted to the specific needs of each client to help accelerate projects and the overall program. Although not required, many organizations will start with a singular “pilot” site to test and build upon. Pilot sites can provide numerous benefits to both the client and the L5C team supporting each project. (See Pilot Site Benefits as shown on right). The preferred approach is ultimately the decision of the client and will be executed in collaboration with our team.
With processes adjusted and potential challenges better understood, the learnings from pilot activities are then applied to remaining sites and used to build out a program-level project plan. L5C resource allocations can then be adjusted to help meet the corporate timing objectives for the completion of the overall program. We offer flexible migration concepts, engineering assistance, and full program management. After a program is completed, Post-Segmentation Support Services can be added on to ensure not just a successful program, but a smooth transition to steady-state operations as well.
A Comprehensive Approach
Utilizing our team’s decades of hands-on experience executing OT & ICS network segmentation projects, our proven approach has been well-vetted across different industries and can be easily modified to meet the specific needs of our clients.
Contact us to receive our ICS Network Segmentation Program overview document.
Typical high-level activities may include the following:
- Project & Program Management
- Data Gathering & Analysis
- Design
- Implementation
- Transition
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Connect with our team to discuss your cybersecurity needs
LeveL5Cyber has been instrumental in protecting critical infrastructure, data, and environments at the highest level for decades. Contact our experts today to start your OT/ICS Network Segmentation Program.
Frequently Asked Questions
decades of hands-on experience
in cybersecurity
Segmenting a network means dividing it into smaller, isolated parts. In manufacturing environments, where the protection of sensitive information and critical infrastructure is particularly important, segmenting the network can be an effective way to reduce the risk of a cyberattack.
An information system used to control industrial processes such as manufacturing, product handling, production, and distribution. Industrial control systems include supervisory control and data acquisition systems used to control geographically dispersed assets, as well as distributed control systems and smaller control systems using programmable logic controllers to control localized processes.
Operational Technology (OT) networks are a fundamental for many industrial businesses as they provide the infrastructure for critical processes. However, these networks are vulnerable to cyberattacks, which may lead to costly disruptions and the loss of critical data. To protect OT networks, many organizations are turning to Network Segmentation to increase their overall security posture. The key purpose of network segmentation is to limit the access to critical systems and data. By segmenting the network, your organization can create a series of barriers thus restricting the movement of malicious actors and limit the potential attack surface. Network segmentation also provides operational efficiencies that can include increased network performance and reduced risk of outages.
OT Network Segmentation remains crucial in limiting the propagation of malware. Some of the other benefits include: Reduced network congestion for ‘noisy’ applications (better performance), Limited blast radius for potential cyber-attacks (reduced lateral damage), Restricted access to key resources (less opportunity for ‘accidents’)
Success in OT network security involves a holistic approach with extensive planning and communications. Collaboration with stakeholders, including process engineers and maintenance teams, makes a significant difference. Our experts have been doing global OT network segmentation programs for decades now and we know how to avoid the pitfalls.
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