Mitsubishi Electric and TXOne Networks Team Up To Expand OT Security

Mitsubishi Electric and TXOne Networks have signed a cooperation agreement establishing a long-term collaboration focused on gradually developing and promoting each company’s operational technology security business.

 

With OT/IT convergence comes enhanced interconnection within industrial systems, resulting in greater productivity. Adversely, industrial data and systems infrastructure threats from potential cyberattacks have increased. Image used courtesy of Adobe Stock

 

IT/OT Convergence  

Combining operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) in manufacturing creates a more integrated environment. Real-time data collection using IoT sensors enables analytics, which creates data insights for optimizing operational efficiency and keeping track of needed maintenance repairs. Real-time and remote monitoring provides enhanced visibility, enabling preventive maintenance and process optimization. Integrating IT and OT systems fosters communication and collaboration while removing traditional organizational obstacles.

Predictive maintenance forecasts possible equipment breakdowns using IoT data, resulting in less downtime. Managing inventory is improved by supply chain optimization, which is helped by end-to-end visibility. IoT-enabled smart factories provide flexible manufacturing, swiftly adapting to changing demands. Using digital twins allows for modeling and optimizing production processes before they are implemented.

In this digital age, there is an increased interconnectivity between industrial hardware and software within automated systems. Implementing comprehensive cybersecurity measures is vital to keep industrial data safe from the emerging threat of cyberattacks, with encrypted communication protocols serving as a critical line of defense.

 

Industries susceptible to cyberattacks include healthcare, education, energy and utilities, manufacturing, and automotive. Image used courtesy of Adobe Stock

 

Industrial Cybersecurity

A survey conducted by McKinsey and Company uncovered insights that illustrate how the COVID-19 pandemic spurred the adoption of digital technologies. During the pandemic, there was a global drive for increased automation and hand-free operations. With the growth in digital technology implementation and the subsequent rise of Industry 4.0 processes in industrial facilities, companies have been working on integrating once-siloed IT and OT stacks to scale digital transformation enterprise-wide more effectively. 

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for IT/OT convergence and more robust cybersecurity defense frameworks to protect industrial data.

Mitsubishi and TXOne’s agreement aims to strengthen OT security for both companies (click image to enlarge). Image used courtesy of TXOne

 

An OT Security Solution

The collaboration between Mitsubishi Electric and TXOne aims to redefine OT security by merging Mitsubishi Electric's vast OT safety offerings with TXOne's unique OT security technology. The companies aim to increase production productivity while also boosting safety precautions across global industrial supply networks.

Mitsubishi Electric has considerable IT security knowledge established in the financial sector and other industries, with a focus on control equipment and systems, notably in manufacturing. The company provides a full range of services, from evaluation and consultation to countermeasures and logistical assistance.

TXOne provides OT security solutions to manufacturers wishing to protect their industrial control systems from cyberattacks. The company combines its defense products with OT network segmentation to help its customers defend against cyberattacks.