(OT SRA) is a solution designed specifically for industrial and production environments (Operational Technology - OT), which enables secure and efficient remote access to OT systems and devices. The goal is to provide secure access for process engineers, contractors, and other authorized users who need to manage, monitor, or troubleshoot systems in an industrial environment while minimizing the risk of cyber threats.

Associated risks with OT Remote Access

• Unauthorized Access: Weak access controls may lead to unauthorized access, risking OT assets.
• Privilege Escalation: Users could access sensitive systems and data, compromising compliance & intellectual property.
• Control System Manipulation: Unrestricted access could allow users to tamper with SCADA systems, causing operational disruptions and system failures.
• Field Device Manipulation: Improper actions within SCADA systems could disrupt OT operations & allow lateral network movement.

Key features of SRA

• 1. Secure remote access

  • Provides SSL/TLS encrypted access to connect to OT systems without compromising security or compromising network integrity
  • Access is limited to authorized users and devices only, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access

• 2. Authentication and authorization

  • Supports multi-factor authentication (MFA) and integration with existing systems (e.g. Active Directory) to verify user identity
  • Enables granular access rights to be configured so that users can access only those systems and devices that are relevant to them

• 3. Monitoring and auditing

  • Records and monitors all activities performed by remote users. Every session is recorded, logged and can be monitored in real-time for increased security and compliance
  • Creates detailed records (audit logs) of all accesses, commands and actions, which allows organizations to retrospectively analyze and evaluate events

• 4. Isolation of remote sessions

  • Services are published through a web portal to ensure that remote access is isolated from other critical parts of the OT network
  • The web portal reduces the risk of cyber threats penetrating OT systems through remote access

• 5. Integration with security tools

  • The possibility of integration with SIEM systems, IDS/IPS, and other tools for tracking and analyzing security events, which enables a centralized overview of approaches and potential threats

• 6. Access gate (Secure Access Control)

  • A dedicated gateway is usually used to manage and mediate all access between external users and internal OT systems. This gateway serves as a security point that ensures management and control of all sessions

Benefits of OT Secure Remote Access

• Increased Efficiency: Technicians and suppliers can quickly access OT systems without the need for physical presence, reducing response times for incidents or maintenance.
• Enhanced Security: With encryption, authentication, and monitoring, security risks associated with remote access are minimized.
• Scalability: The solution can be tailored to the organization's needs, from small manufacturing facilities to large industrial enterprises with multiple operational sites.

OT Secure Remote Access is a key tool for modern industrial and manufacturing companies seeking to improve the efficiency of maintaining and managing their OT systems without compromising security