Cybersecurity can improve with a unified operational system that integrates multiple pieces of equipment, updates codes and standards, combined with multiple original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and software packages, providing a unified dashboard for the operator, according to a company with a Control Engineering Engineers’ Choice Award product.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the need for investments in cybersecurity technology and technology operations.
- Learn how cybersecurity software should provide a preventive, predictive and agile system.
- Explore the attributes of an integrated operational technology/information technology (OT/IT) cybersecurity interface.
When you talk to any cybersecurity expert, you are likely to hear the usual networking jargon about how information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) infrastructure can be made more secure and resilient. The jargon is similar among business owners, having heard it from cybersecurity experts.
Business owners understand evolving cybersecurity challenges include multiple systems, various software packages, many manufacturers and experts, numerous codes and standards and training operators and specialists.
Investments in cybersecurity technology and technology operation
Once someone invests in a technology, investments continue in operating that technology. Products and software are progressively altered in line with the most recent cybersecurity threats, evaluated while the codes and standards evolve. A significant budget is required for procuring, operating, maintaining and training a team on how to implement cybersecurity products.
A unified operational system is needed to integrate equipment and machines from multiple original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), update codes and standards, work with multiple software packages and provide a unified operator dashboard.
A cyberattack happens in a nanosecond, without warning. There’s almost zero reaction time, making damage cyberattack mitigation the next best plan of action. To paraphrase a wise saying: Prevention is better than a cure.
Cybersecurity: preventive, predictive, agile system
Industrial operation needs a preventive, predictive and agile system for cybersecurity.
It’s normal to have large parallel networks with specific functions, which aggravates the need for IT and OT layers to converge and simplify operations. A clear understanding and visibility of networks is needed, akin to that of telecommunication equipment manufacturers.
A transparent solution is needed to transcend and function across layers and segregated networks. It should provide an integrated telecom alarm management system with advanced cybersecurity features.
Most detection and preventive technologies focus on deactivating the channel where the threat is noticed, and this hampers the standard operations of a business. Software should run failure scenarios using advanced network analytics, and automate the sequence of events. In this way process operations are optimized without ignoring the cyber threat.
Attributes of an integrated OT/IT cybersecurity interface
Cybersecurity software should ease the monitoring and control of different applications and services by providing one interface view. It should communicate with different networks and host security applications to collate data and alarms from multiple sources. It should present comprehensive information to the user and simplify application interactions.
A holistic and transparent visibility of network operations across geographies ensures vital parameters are in check to enable secure, reliable and consistent business operations, while addressing sustainability, energy efficiency and process excellence.
A customer first approach should identify challenges that require the most attention in the interest of improving operations. Products and solutions should incorporate the latest cybersecurity measures and revolutionize the way professionals monitor and manage critical infrastructure on-premise, in the cloud and the edge.
Nelson Meenparambil is manager – partner relations, L&T Electrical & Automation, a unit of Schneider Electric India Private Ltd. Edited by Mark T. Hoske, content manager, Control Engineering, CFE Media and Technology, [email protected].
KEYWORDS: Cybersecurity advice, Engineers’ Choice Awards
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