NetFoundry launches updated security platform for OT use
NetFoundry has announced an updated version of its operational technology (OT) security platform, which seeks to enhance security for critical infrastructure in both on-premises and air-gapped environments.
The platform addresses three main customer requirements: offering a software-only and vendor-neutral solution with OT microsegmentation, ensuring secure connectivity to IT and OEMs without exposing the OT network, and reducing costs related to firewalls and other security resources.
The solution aims to curtail costs associated with data storage and analysis resources.
Galeal Zino, Chief Executive Officer of NetFoundry, emphasised the importance of this development in meeting the needs of organisations across multiple continents: "NetFoundry secures critical infrastructure on three continents, so we listen to our customers when they tell us their top need is simple security with reduced cost and complexity for their multi-vendor OT environments."
He noted the challenges presented by conventional security solutions when he said: "Solutions that stop at the firewall or are vendor-specific create complexity and don't meet OT's new cybersecurity and microsegmentation needs. Our unique, deny-all-inbound data approach enables IT and OT to make all firewalls and servers unreachable from the underlay networks."
"That's a security and operational advantage in removing complex access-control management. It also slashes the costs of security and storage resources by reducing superfluous data logs caused by port scanning and unauthenticated events."
FreeWave Technologies, a partner of NetFoundry, highlighted its own application of the technology within its Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and wireless connectivity solutions.
The company noted the enhanced security standards they are now able to provide.
Steve Wulchin, Chief Executive Officer of FreeWave, remarked: "VPN and the other security technologies we relied on the past can no longer cut it in today's hyperconnected world. NetFoundry's technology enables us to apply the strictest deny-by-default security principles to every user, device and application in our customers' networks. We welcome the addition of the on-prem option for customers who need to operate without depending on external connectivity, while still being able to securely use external edges and clouds when appropriate. Partnering with NetFoundry enables us to meet emerging requirements for secure-by-design products in connected environments, such as the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA)."
The importance of zero trust technology in OT environments is further reinforced by Rik Turner, Senior Principal Analyst at Omdia. Turner stated: "While zero trust technology has gained popularity to enable secure remote access (SRA) in enterprise IT, it is even more crucial in OT environments, where even access from somewhere on the organisation's premises must be secured. In such a scenario, SRA is actually a subset of a broader secure access requirement."
A key feature of the NetFoundry platform is the ability to eliminate the risk from inbound network exposure, consolidating the firewall access control list to a single rule—deny all inbound traffic. This approach is compatible with existing software structures and improves both security and operational efficiency.
With diverse applications, the software-only platform can be utilised by OT and IT sectors involving critical infrastructure, energy, and manufacturing.
Its compatibility with tools such as routers, firewalls, and edge compute applications strengthens its appeal. SDKs offer additional flexibility, enabling integration into industrial control systems and other hardware, with companies like Microsoft and Cap Gemini already leveraging the technology.
