The recent advisory issued by Rockwell emphasizes the critical need for proactive measures to protect ICS (industrial control systems) from unauthorized access and malicious cyber activity. They’re not the only ones; Microsoft’s Threat Intelligence Team is also calling for immediate action to assess and remove internet connectivity for devices not explicitly designed for online exposure, making it abundantly clear that traditional security measures like firewalls are no longer sufficient.
Data diodes offer advanced protection for ICS on air-gapped networks. With hardware-enforced one-way data transfers with a non-routable protocol break, data diodes like OPSWAT’s MetaDefender Optical Diode ensure reliable security for industrial networks—here are five reasons why:
1. Uncompromisable Segmentation
The segregation between IT and OT environments is non-negotiable. Firewalls, while commonly deployed, often fall short in providing adequate security for industrial networks. MetaDefender Optical Diode ensures uncompromisable segmentation, offering a robust barrier between IT and OT systems.
Dive Deeper: Data Diodes vs Firewalls: Comparing Network Security, Data Flow, and Compliance
2. Hardware-Enforced Security
Among the field of available solutions, data diodes categorically emerge as the frontrunners in providing hardware-enforced security. Unlike software-based solutions prone to vulnerabilities and manipulation, MetaDefender Optical Diode guarantees the integrity of data transfer through hardware-level enforcement.
3. Immutable Security Policy
One of the key advantages of data diodes is their immutable security policy. Unlike software configurations susceptible to human error or malicious tampering, MetaDefender Optical Diode's security policy remains steadfast, ensuring real-time one-way data transfer from OT to IT with no possibility of reversal.
4. Maintaining Air Gap Security
By effectively creating an air gap between critical assets and external networks, MetaDefender Optical Diode allows for the seamless flow of OT data to enterprise and cloud-based resources. This ensures that essential industrial operations remain insulated from internet-borne threats while enabling connectivity for business continuity.
5. Ensuring Business Continuity
Despite keeping ICS devices isolated from internet threats, MetaDefender Optical Diode facilitates business continuity by enabling secure, real-time data transfer between OT and IT environments. This ensures that industrial processes can continue without disruption, safeguarding critical infrastructure against potential cyberattacks.
It's important for organizations to adopt cybersecurity measures tailored to the unique challenges of industrial networks. OPSWAT's MetaDefender Optical Diode offers uncompromising segmentation, hardware-enforced protection, and immutable security policies. By comprehensively protecting critical assets behind an air gap while enabling secure data transfer, MetaDefender Optical Diode ensures the resilience of industrial networks in the face of growing cyberthreats.
Control the Flow of Data
Ready to see why OPSWAT's MetaDefender Optical Diode is trusted globally to secure some of the most critical networks from threats? Talk to one of our experts today for a free demo.
