In modern industrial plants, network security is not only a matter of data protection, but above all of business continuity. Factories, power plants or water installations today are heavily dependent on interconnected control systems. In such environments, classic IT security often proves insufficient. The solution becomes network isolation and real-time traffic encryption, which Certes Networks offers.
Key findings
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Network isolation is an effective method of minimizing the attack surface in industrial infrastructure.
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Certes Networks provides encryption of traffic between network segments without slowing down OT systems.
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These solutions protect critical environments where downtime is unacceptable.
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Network isolation is the cornerstone of the industry’s Zero Trust strategy.
Table of contents
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Why network isolation is critical for OT
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Weaknesses of classic security measures
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How Certes Networks works in an industrial environment
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Examples of applications
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FAQ
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Summary
Why network isolation is critical for OT
Unlike typical office environments, industrial infrastructure can’t afford to be interrupted. A cyber-attack, which in the IT world results in a data leak, in the OT world can bring production lines to a halt or cause real danger to people and the environment. Therefore, critical systems must be isolated and tightly controlled.
However, isolating the network does not mean cutting it off completely – it’s about precisely segmenting the traffic and ensuring secure communication only where necessary.
Weaknesses of classic security measures
Traditional firewalls and IDS/IPS systems work at the network edge, but do not solve the problem of internal communication between OT devices. Hackers who get into one segment can often move freely throughout the infrastructure. It is this attack vector that has been used in many high-profile industry-related incidents.
How Certes Networks works in an industrial environment
Certes Networks provides real-time encryption of network traffic and segmentation of communications, without requiring changes to existing infrastructure. Key components of the solution include:
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Transparent encryption – data is encrypted without interfering with applications or end devices.
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Context-based security policies – administrators define precisely which devices can communicate with each other.
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Threat isolation – in the event of a security breach, the attack cannot spread to other segments.
Examples of applications
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Factories and production plants – segmentation of production lines and control of communication between machines.
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Power plants and power grids – protecting critical SCADA systems.
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Municipal infrastructure – securing water and transportation networks.
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Laboratories and research centers – protecting data and systems from unauthorized access.
FAQ
Does Certes Networks require network equipment replacement?
No. The solution works at the network layer and does not interfere with the existing infrastructure.
Does encryption affect the performance of OT systems?
No, Certes Networks is designed not to burden networks or devices.
Does this solution work with other security tools?
Yes, it integrates with existing mechanisms, providing an additional layer of protection.
Summary
Network isolation and traffic encryption is one of the most effective ways to protect OT infrastructure today. Certes Networks enables precise segmentation of the environment, reducing the risk of attacks spreading and ensuring security without downtime. It’s a solution that realistically improves the resilience of industrial facilities against cyber threats.
