Industry 4.0 is a technological revolution in which production lines are becoming smart, automated and networked. Factories are collecting massive amounts of data, integrating IoT devices and using the cloud to manage processes. But the more complex and connected the systems, the greater the risk of cyber attacks. Certes Networks’ solutions provide secure machine-to-machine communication and network segmentation to protect industrial environments from data loss and sabotage.
Key findings
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Smart factories are particularly vulnerable to cyber threats because of the combination of IT and OT.
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Certes Networks encrypts and segments network traffic without interfering with the operation of production systems.
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Protecting inter-device communications is the key to maintaining business continuity.
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The Zero Trust principle is becoming a cornerstone of security in the Industry 4.0 era.
Table of contents
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Industry 4.0 – new opportunities and new threats
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Why traditional safeguards are not enough
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Certes Networks – industrial traffic safety
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Example implementations
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FAQ
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Summary
Industry 4.0 – new opportunities and new threats
Modern production lines use sensors, robots, PLCs and SCADA systems that communicate in real time. This helps optimize production, but it also opens up new attack vectors. Cyber criminals can take control of equipment, manipulate data or cause critical processes to fail.
In 2024, there was an increase of more than 30% in the number of incidents in the industry – many of which began with simple configuration errors or unseparated traffic between IT and OT systems.
Why traditional safeguards are not enough
Firewalls and classic IDS systems are unable to protect industrial networks, which require business continuity and minimal latency. In addition, many machines run on outdated operating systems that do not support modern security mechanisms. As a result, the traditional “block everything” approach is becoming ineffective and costly.
Certes Networks – industrial traffic safety
Certes Networks offers technology that protects data in motion and isolates OT network segments without interrupting processes. Its key components are:
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Real-time encryption of communications – ensures the confidentiality and integrity of data transmitted between machines.
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Application-based security policies – administrators define which devices can communicate with each other.
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Security without infrastructure modification – solutions work transparently, without the need to replace devices.
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Logical segmentation – an attack in one area will not spread to the entire network.
Example implementations
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Automobile manufacturing – segmenting robots and controllers to prevent manipulation of assembly processes.
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Energy and chemical industry – encryption of telemetry data and SCADA communications.
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Logistics and warehouse automation – protecting the transmission between sensors, servers and ERP systems.
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Pharmacy and biotechnology – controlling access to laboratory equipment and production data.
FAQ
Does Certes Networks require replacement of OT equipment?
No. It works independently of devices and operating systems, protecting communications at the network level.
Does the solution slow down production?
No. The technology is designed to work without affecting the efficiency of industrial processes.
Can segmentation be flexibly modified?
Yes. Policies can be changed dynamically, without downtime or risk of configuration errors.
Summary
Industry 4.0 is a huge step toward automation and efficiency, but it’s also a new front in the battle for data and device security. Certes Networks provides protection that doesn’t slow down innovation – combining segmentation, encryption and access control to create a solid security foundation for smart factories.
