OT Security in action: Securing and optimizing industrial systems

In industrial environments, OT Security plays a critical role in ensuring the maximum availability of machines and systems. Production downtimes can lead to significant costs and disrupt entire supply chains. At the same time, connected systems must meet the highest security standards. Device Insight, Gapfruit, and Bechtle combine their expertise to deliver cutting-edge solutions for the secure digitalization of production systems.

OT Security

Manufacturing under attack

Manufacturing companies are increasingly becoming targets of cyberattacks. To counter these threats, a strategic convergence of IT and OT is essential – bringing security and availability into harmony. IT/OT convergence allows companies to collect and analyze data in real time, a vital component of digital transformation. However, security standards must not be compromised in the process.

Prioritizing availability over security can have severe consequences, as industrial systems are increasingly vulnerable to attacks. According to Bitkom (article in German), cyberattacks cost the German economy €178.6 billion in the most recent reporting period. In 2023, 25.7% of all global cyberattacks targeted the manufacturing industry, making it one of the hardest-hit sectors (article in German).

NIS-2 & more: Growing regulatory demands on OT Security

The need to securely integrate IT and OT systems is also being driven by regulations like the NIS-2 Directive and the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA). Many companies, particularly those with little prior exposure to comprehensive cybersecurity measures, now face the challenge of upgrading their IT and OT infrastructures to meet these standards. This often requires not only technological solutions but also a shift in the organization’s security culture.

The challenges of secure and efficient digitalization for production systems include both technical and cultural hurdles. Integrating OT Security into IT/OT convergence is crucial, as only the seamless alignment of these dimensions can ensure both maximum availability and high cybersecurity resilience.

OT Security: A core element of modern industrial applications

Securing OT systems requires targeted measures to protect machinery and production systems from specific threats while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Edge gateways, which act as interfaces between machines and the cloud, play a key role in connectivity but also introduce potential security risks. To address these challenges, Device Insight, Bechtle, and Gapfruit have developed a solution that secures both IT and OT infrastructures. The combined expertise and innovative approach of Gapfruit have been showcased at it-sa 2024.

Device Insight, Gapfruit und Bechtle als Partner für OT Security.
Sid Hussmann, CTO of Gapfruit, and Stefan Hudelmaier, Head of Cloud Architecture & Innovation at Device Insight, at a security panel discussion organized by Bechtle.

A closer look at the partnership between Device Insight, Bechtle, and Gapfruit:

  • Device Insight contributes deep expertise in developing and implementing industrial IoT and analytics solutions, enabling the secure processing of data and delivering actionable insights for a competitive edge.
  • Bechtle excels at deploying edge gateways efficiently on a global scale and managing them through long-term managed services, ensuring reliable and scalable industrial IoT operations.
  • Gapfruit provides the highly secure operating system for edge gateways, reducing total operating costs through innovative device management – an essential advantage for businesses focused on long-term planning.

Innovative security architecture for resilient OT systems

Gapfruit OS sets new standards in cybersecurity with a cutting-edge architecture built on the latest research. Its core concept is to reduce the attack surface by over 99%, transforming reactive cybersecurity into a forward-looking, proactive strategy.

With its modern microkernel architecture and the ability to isolate potentially vulnerable components, the system ensures high security and availability, even if individual components are compromised. Vulnerable elements, such as Linux drivers with security flaws, can be automatically updated, allowing critical applications on the edge gateway to continue operating uninterrupted. In environments with growing network vulnerabilities, this technology becomes a cornerstone for ensuring uninterrupted production. Gapfruit OS not only protects sensitive systems but also lays the foundation for a future-ready, resilient OT infrastructure.

Key features include zero-touch provisioning and long-term update capabilities. Zero-touch provisioning allows companies to configure and integrate numerous devices quickly and securely without manual interaction, saving time and reducing the risk of human error – critical in security-sensitive environments. Long-term operating system updates eliminate the need to replace edge gateway hardware, enabling companies to reduce operating costs and use resources more sustainably.

IT/OT convergence requires a new mindset

For industrial companies, digitalizing production processes involves more than integrating technology – it also requires fostering a collaborative culture between IT and OT teams. In IT, the philosophy of “ship fast, fix later” is prevalent: speed takes precedence, with fixes applied after deployment. OT, on the other hand, often adheres to the principle of “never touch a running system,” where changes to live systems are made cautiously and only after thorough evaluation.

These differing approaches can complicate IT/OT integration. OT Security, therefore, should not be viewed as a technical add-on but as an integral part of a holistic digital strategy that secures production systems throughout their entire lifecycle. Achieving this balance requires a strategic alignment of IT and OT that prioritizes both security and availability.

Conclusion: OT Security as the key to secure digital transformation

Focusing on OT Security is essential for the secure digitalization of manufacturing operations, ensuring uninterrupted production and compliance with regulatory requirements. Successfully integrating IT and OT is the foundation for maximizing both availability and security.

The solution developed by Device Insight, Bechtle, and Gapfruit supports manufacturers in achieving their digitalization goals securely. Make your production systems future-proof and resilient by implementing a robust OT security architecture. The next step in your secure digital transformation starts with choosing the right partners and solutions.

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