Fortinet Integrated Platform: Bridging IT and OT Security

OT/ICS Security Challenges

Critical infrastructure is underpinned and near synonymous with Operational Technology (OT) as well as Industrial Control Systems (ICS). Mining & Manufacturing, Energy and Transportation that safeguard the operation of important physical processes. These are difficult systems to secure, with challenges very different from Information Technology (IT) security.

Unique Challenges:

• Aging Infrastructure: Most OT systems are old, many predating when security threats began to increase.
• Lack of Patching – Downtime is expensive in the industrial environment, so updates patches are often left pending for long periods.
• Proprietary Protocols: These networks use custom protocols that did not have security in mind LEN405J.Sequential Scanning.
• Safety and Reliability Requirements: Any failure has financial, as well as safety penalties.

This is why it becomes extremely important to be able to let IT and OT security together efficiently. The OT and ICS Solutions from Fortinet take an Integrated Security Approach to Protect Critical Infrastructure Fully.

OT Network Segmentation with FortiGate

Segmenting the network is essential for controlling traffic and preventing potential threats. SD-WAN is just one of many advanced features to segment work zones offered in the FortiGate suite.

Key Features:

• Granular Control: FortiGate firewalls offer more granularity compared to any other OT environment junking traffic control.
• Robust Policies: The system has a strong performance to implements security policies with an overview of the industrial protocols.
• High performance: The firewalls provide high throughput that is indispensable in keeping the overall performance of crucial functions;

Application Example:

For instance, at a power plant owned by PJ Networks, FortiGate firewalls are deployed to create an air gap and separate different OT segments such as Turbine Monitoring or Environment Control. If one section is compromised, the key systems continue to be protected.

FortiNAC for OT Device Control

Not to be outdone, Network Access Control (NAC) is also a key element for OT security. To mitigate the risks from rogue or compromised devices, only authorized systems are permitted to access the OT network using Fortinet’s fortNAC solution.

Benefits:

• Automated Response: FortiNAC will automatically segment non-compliant devices from the network.
• Visibility and Control: Offering in-depth visibility into endpoint devices.
• Integration: Fully integrates with Fortinet for a comprehensive security posture.

Application Example:

For example, unauthorized devices were a serious concern at an oil refinery that PJ Networks deployed FortiNAC in. Only a handful of preapproved machines could connect, and they were heavily controlled via automation.

Case Studies in Industrial Cybersecurity

Case Study 1: Manufacturing Plant

Challenge:

The Company operates a global manufacturing plant and needed an OT network security solution that was as robust, but also allowed the business to continue operating efficiently.

Solution:

To comply with the HIPAA security rule, PJ Networks implemented network segmentation using FortiGate firewalls and also used a device control solution based on Fortinet’s own technology, called the Network Access Control (FortNAC) for situations where VLAN tagging certificate could not be exploited.

Impact:

The plant rapidly decreased the amount of unauthorized access attempts and was able to run network security properly while maintaining day-to-day operations.

Case Study 2: Water Treatment Facility

Challenge:

The water treatment facility wanted a solution that could help us to ensure, our homegrown SCADA systems are protected against cyber threats.

Solution:

PJ Networks delivered an all in one security solution, which utilized the combination of FortiGate for segmentation and FortiNAC for NAC.

Impact:

The facility now is achieving complete device visibility, and the SCADA systems were not compromised by repeated cyber-attacks.

Hire Security Solutions from PJ Networks

When it comes to securing industrial OT/ICS environments, people should try not only security in the box but considering renting solutions gives much pleasure. Firewalls as a Service, Dedicated Servers rental and router lease are all available on PJ Networks.

Benefits of Renting:

• Capital Savings: Purchase equivalent to only 20% of the value of outright purchasing equipment.
• Scalability: No large commitment of money to be able scale up or down in any direction.
• Maintenance & Support: Our packages comes with 24X7 full support and maintenance to make sure your systems are up all the time.

Available Solutions:

• FortiGate Firewalls: Secure network segmentation with high-performance firewalls.
• Servers: Powerful servers tuned for industrial uses.
• Routers: Robust industrial routers for flawless performance and maximum security of your network as an integral entity.

Why Choose PJ Networks?

PJ Networks is a specialist provider of OT/ICS security, with the experience and tools to fully mitigate threats. Using our rental services, you get the safety of professional support with an unbroken Fortinet resolution while not up front capital outlay.

So now more than ever, securing OT and ICS environments is of utmost priority. We can help you close this IT and OT security divide using Fortinet’s integrated platform. Whether you need to install a complete implementation of these solutions or rent them instead, we can provide the expertise required ensuring that your industrial network keeps on safe and robust.

We welcome you to reach out and get in touch with us at PJ Networks today if there is anything further we can do to help protect your industrial operations.