Maintaining the whole of your network security comes with many layers to it. Depending on your industry, talks around the best security automation for OT networks has become a hot topic.
Regarding operational technology (OT) networks, this includes multiple specific focal points pertaining to security. For industries in logistics, transportation, or manufacturing, they commonly rely on OT networks to keep devices interconnected and maintained.
With an increase in digital technologies and production formats comes a broader attack surface for potential cybersecurity threats. This article highlights the best security automation for OT networks and the network firewall protection you can lean on to get the job done.
The Demand for Automation in OT Networks
There have been substantial advancements in the world of network security protection, but many companies are still working with legacy systems. Whether hardware or software, outdated security solutions in this space have only left businesses more vulnerable. This isn’t to say these legacy measures are entirely useless, but they won’t be able to match up to today’s cybersecurity standards and challenges.
A lot of the demand for automated security tools in the realm of OT networks comes from the following examples:
- Security attacks within OT networks affect physical internal processes
- Vulnerabilities in the need for accessible data in a safe environment
- Minimizing human error and costly downtime
- Real-time security measures that won’t hinder productivity
- Common workflow disruptions found in many standard IT practices
It isn’t about finding a one-size-fits-all solution, but one that’s adaptable and scalable to your daily operations. There are many industries where this is relevant, which leads to several unique considerations.
Use Cases Across Various OT Industries
For those looking to automate OT network security for their operations, you’ll want to look toward AI and ML integrations. Years ago, this may have been a bit more difficult to come by, but that isn’t the case today. Artificial intelligence has made significant advancements in recent years, and you can see many applications in OT networks across various industries.
Manufacturing
An industry that’s going through many technological changes, many manufacturing operations are heavily reliant on OT networks. From protecting IIoT devices to SCADA systems and PLCs, manufacturing needs to be operational around the clock.
Any kind of downtime can lead to significant logistical and financial challenges, many of which can be avoided with the right security measures. The combination of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity delivers the hindsight this industry needs to operate without unnecessary hurdles.
Transportation and Logistics
The best security automation for OT networks isn’t just about the hardware, but how and where it’s applied. Within transportation and logistics sectors, a focal point would be control systems across transportation networks.
Many aspects of this are already automated, and this same approach can be applied to the needs found in OT networks. Aside from remaining compliant with regulations, this is helpful to detect any kind of tampering or odd data points you might encounter.
Energy
Anyone can agree that energy encompasses a lot in our world. In the context of this topic, automated security tools help a lot with distributed energy networks. From monitoring to threat response, modern network firewalls can deliver the automation you’re looking for.
This may not be the case with every firewall generation on the market, but you’d be surprised at the advantages. The energy sector moves at a fast pace, and this is where predefined protocols can save everyone a lot of wear and tear. At the end of the day, you’ll want to focus on the needs of your industry and individual operation when it comes to automated OT network security.
Automate Security for OT Networks with AI and ML Tech
The automation that’s going to help you here comes from the possibilities with AI and ML tech. You can definitely find this tech in a lot of products nowadays. In the realm of network security, it’s a bit more niche. An easy start would be with some of today’s leading firewall options, such as SonicWall’s NSa line of hardware.
By being able to flag any kind of anomaly either automatically or ahead of time, you can guarantee protection across every layer of your network. The benefits go beyond just protection alone. Automation can ensure your business remains compliant with data and privacy regulations as well.
Real-time detection and response is a big part of what keeps your operation running without having to face unexpected security breaches. Having the ability to keep operations flowing while consistently adapting your cybersecurity measures is a blessing of modern times.
Let’s Wrap Up
Your traditional approach to OT network security is not only outdated, but also a hindrance to your company’s overall productivity. Automated security tools are only going to keep evolving, and there’s no reason your operation shouldn’t be able to do the same.
However, the stark reality is that legacy security solutions for OT networks are only going to hold you back at this point. For those looking to learn more about the topic, get in touch with our team at Firewalls for a straightforward chat on what’s best for your organization.
