The convergence of operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) networks impacts the security of industrial control systems (ICS) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems. By designing security into complex infrastructure via the OT-Aware Fortinet Security Fabric, OT organizations have an efficient, non-disruptive way to ensure that the OT environment is protected and compliant.
The Fortinet Security Fabric seamlessly enables security for converged IT/OT ecosystems. It provides OT-centric features and products to extend Security-Fabric capabilities to OT networks. To alleviate security risks across the organization, Fortinet has enhanced the OT security offerings. The innovations range from edge products to NOC/SOC tools and services to ensure efficient performance.
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With the acceleration of Digital Transformation (DX), it has become critical for organizations to understand the similarities and differences between IT and OT networks. The Fortinet Security Fabric protects the digital attack surface of OT and IT networks. Deploying the Fabric provides visibility, integration, automation, and resilience in your security environment.
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Lack of Effective Security
Most industrial control systems lack security by design and are sensitive to change.
Expanding Attack Surface
The attack surface for cyber-physical assets is expanding as air-gap protection is diminishing.
IT-OT Networks
Digital transformation (Industry 4.0) initiatives are driving IT-OT network convergence.
Increasing Connectivity
Technologies such as 5G, loT, and cloud add complexity and must be secured.
Expanding Secure Remote Access
Remote access requirements for third parties and employees cause additional risks.
Growing Skills Gap Risks
Asset owners' reliance on OEMs and Sls exposes critical systems to additional risks.
Fortinet uses the Purdue Model as a reference network architecture to differentiate between IT and OT solutions. Fortunately, for customers seeking vendor consolidation and IT/OT convergence, the Fortinet IT Security Fabric and the Fortinet OT-Aware Security Fabric enable seamless network and security operations between both IT and OT. Below is a breakdown of the Fortinet products and services that protect both IT and OT.
The Internet/WAN Zone delivers access to cloud-based services for compute and analytics to support ERP and MRP systems for an operational environment. For strong authentication, two-factor authentication and VPN tunnels are used to verify identity and keep data private.
The enterprise zone typically sits at the corporate level and spans multiple facilities, locations, or plants where the business systems work to perform operational tasks and includes an IT network and security operations center (IT NOC/SOC).
Between the enterprise and site operations zones is the Converged IT & OT zone, what is known as the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The DMZ allows the organization to securely connect networks with different security requirements. Security protection includes authentication and business segmentation to provide visibility, control and situational awareness to manage against known and unknown threats. Verify who and what is on the network, and provide role-based access control for users, devices, applications, and protocols. Address unknown threats with sandboxing and deception detection as well as provide industrial security information to the NOC/SOC.
Site Operations enables the centralized control and monitoring of all the systems that run the processes in a facility. This is where OT systems share data with IT systems. FortiGate next-generation firewall appliances are frequently deployed here for top-rated protection and segmentation, providing visibility and control.
The Industrial Zone is where the production takes place. This zone includes digital control elements like PLCs and RTUs that convert IP communication to serial commands, including additional networks such as networks to support IoT devices. Fortinet products in this zone include: FortiGate, FortiSwitch, and FortiAP.
With Fortinet, our team’s efforts can go further since we can automate many things. That means we can maintain the same team while providing much greater support to our educational community.”
- Humberto Vidal, IT Coordinator, FIEB
Our experience with the FortiGate Next-Generation Firewalls [NGFWs] has been great, and we were impressed by the level of integration enabled by the broader Fortinet Security Fabric, as well as Fortinet’s competitive pricing. Importantly, Fortinet could also provide the level of security required to access federal government and state funding and deliver against the NIST [National Institute of Standards and Technology] Cybersecurity Framework.”
- Eric Scholl, Chief Security Officer, GASD
Because of the amount of devices Fortinet looks at every single day, we get a fairly up-to-date snapshot of threats and [are] able to update our platform almost immediately. So having the FortiAnalyzer, and then actually looking at that threat landscape through the monitors, is amazing and our customer base loves it.”
- Dave Cahoon, Chief Technology Officer, Red Bison Technology Group
The company benefits from secure remote access to its rigs and complete visibility of all associated OT systems. With logging and indicators of compromise (IOC) fully integrated with the customer’s SOC, its internal security team is much better equipped to identify and mitigate threats.
- , Maritime Drilling Rig Operator
Now, network and security are in one place, one piece. You can't have one without the other.”
- Tri Nguyen, Director of IT, Waukesha-Pearce Industries
Our goal is to help our customers manage business risk and enhance value. Fortinet has played a key part in modernizing our OT network infrastructure and security posture.”
- Tarun Patel, Product Director, Oxford Properties Group
Take a self-guided tour to experience how the Fortinet Security Fabric addresses the cybersecurity challenges in Operational Technology.
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Fortinet is the only vendor that achieved leader status and one of the fastest-growing OT security vendors.
IEC 62443 is a set of Industrial Control System (ICS) security standards written by ICS experts for ICS owners, manufacturers and integrators across a range of applications and sectors. Evaluating assigned security levels within identified security zones and conduits against functional and system requirements provides a cohesive approach to security. Fortinet teamed with the SANS Institute to review the standard and the needs from technology that support implementation. With guidance from IEC 62443 and implementation of Fortinet’s solutions, you can address the security of an ICS strategically.
Fortinet surveyed water utility leaders during the fourth quarter of 2021 to understand utilities’ status and future needs for improved water system cybersecurity
Collaboration and discussion between IT and OT security teams about actual barriers and boundaries can unlock apprehensions so that organizations can include OT networks in their comprehensive zero-trust security strategies.
Enabling Remote Work and Ensuring Business Continuity
This comprehensive guide explains how Fortinet effectively provides security throughout the interconnected IT and OT infrastructure while fully enabling integration across Fortinet and partner security solutions and supporting security automation across the entire security ecosystem.
Going from implied trust to zero trust
Secure IT/OT Convergence with the Fortinet Network Access Control Solution
FortiGuard Industrial Security Service Secures ICS and OT With Application Control and Virtual Patching
This paper reviews the NIST-based approach to implementing security for an ICS/OT, referencing the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF), the five cybersecurity Critical Controls from the SANS Institute that are most relevant to ICSes, and Fortinet Security Fabric technologies. We also examine how to effectively support and implement the NIST CSF and explore how some of Fortinet’s cybersecurity offerings can help an organization fulfill its ICS/OT security road map.
The NIS2 Directive (NIS2) is an improved approach to cybersecurity controls, with an expanded scope and mandatory penalties.
New Strategies for Industrial CIOs and CISOs
To connect and use the latest 5G technology in OT environments like electrical substations and remote oil and gas sites, appliances must operate in harsh and sometimes extreme conditions. When selecting solutions, look for these 5 things.
Today, the convergence of IT and OT networks means that ever-evolving cyberthreats now have easier access to previously air-gapped OT environments. So, the need to apply a zero-trust cybersecurity model to OT has become increasingly important.
Operational technology (OT) industries are rapidly undergoing digital transformation just like other organizations. However, the nature of OT environments means they will require security and networking features that IT-only environments may not. Locations may be remote and/or require equipment that can stand up to unusual environmental conditions. Nonetheless, distributed OT assets need to be connected to the enterprise in a safe, reliable, and cost effective manner
This ebook identifies and discusses the drivers of IT and OT network convergence. It also highlights the technologies that asset owners should deploy to address the challenges posed by connecting industrial environments to the data center and the cloud.
CISOs need comprehensive strategies for confronting known and unknown threats, with a focus on mitigating the impact of breaches that have succeeded in evading security controls.
The Fortinet OT Security Platform is a comprehensive system designed to protect OT environments. This platform includes secure networking, zero trust support, security operations solutions, dedicated threat intelligence, and a far-reaching and inclusi.ve technology alliance ecosystem
Fortinet simplifies SD-WAN operations with network operations center solutions
Microsegmentation provides OT networks with the security they need— without sacrificing network performance.
