With cyberattacks on critical infrastructure becoming increasingly common, they have lost their shock value as headline news. However, their impact remains profound, disrupting the lives of individuals and the operations of organizations worldwide. Critical infrastructure, including power substations, intelligent transportation systems, and water treatment facilities, forms the backbone of our daily existence and is particularly vulnerable to these threats.

In response, governments across the globe are introducing regulations aimed at fortifying cybersecurity in essential sectors. For instance, EU member states are required to adopt the NIS2 Directive into their national legislation by October 2024, enhancing the protection of critical infrastructure. As a result, industrial organizations must implement comprehensive cybersecurity strategies and deploy reliable solutions to align with these stringent requirements.

In-depth Strategies for Industrial Cybersecurity

Industrial cybersecurity standards often advocate for a defense-in-depth approach. This involves creating multiple layers of security to mitigate risks effectively. Traditionally, industrial operators focus on strengthening perimeter defenses and creating secure zones to prevent external breaches. However, addressing internal threats is equally vital. Unprotected internal devices can jeopardize the entire network, such as when a malware-infected USB device is plugged in, allowing unauthorized access and control.

To counter both external and internal threats, deploying robust industrial firewalls is critical. These firewalls regulate traffic and guard against potential vulnerabilities. Despite their benefits, operators often express concerns about the impact firewalls may have on network performance, particularly when installed in LANs protecting critical assets.

This article examines the primary concerns faced by asset owners, CISOs, system integrators, OT network administrators, and industrial network architects when deploying firewall solutions. It also explores how next-gen LAN firewalls address these challenges to enhance network security and maintain uninterrupted operations.

The Top 4 Concerns About Implementing Firewall Solutions

While firewalls bolster cybersecurity in industrial environments, their deployment can disrupt existing operations. Achieving a balance between improved security and maintaining operational efficiency remains a challenge. Below are four common concerns driving industrial operators to seek seamless firewall integration.

Concern 1: Integration Disrupts Current Network Design

Adding industrial firewalls to existing networks often requires changes to network topology and IP subnet configurations. These adjustments demand considerable effort and time from engineers and are particularly problematic for critical systems that cannot afford downtime. Therefore, firewalls that integrate without altering the existing network structure are essential.

Concern 2: Performance and Service Reliability Are at Risk

Maintaining seamless communication is essential for operational efficiency. Introducing new devices, such as firewalls, can raise concerns about meeting performance benchmarks, including startup times, latency, and environmental compatibility. Additionally, new hardware introduces the potential for downtime during maintenance or unexpected failures. To minimize such risks, firewalls must deliver exceptional performance and safeguard against service disruptions caused by single points of failure.

Concern 3: Protecting Legacy Devices Is Difficult

Many industrial systems rely on legacy devices with outdated operating systems that cannot be replaced or upgraded easily. These devices must be protected from modern cyber threats while meeting compliance requirements, such as those set by IEC 62443 and the NIS2 Directive. Legacy systems often use a variety of communication protocols, adding complexity to securing these environments. Firewalls must support these diverse protocols while providing advanced data analysis capabilities to ensure secure and reliable operation.

Concern 4: Monitoring Security Is Time-Consuming

Continuous network monitoring is critical to detect and respond to cyber threats in real-time. However, without effective monitoring tools, administrators face challenges in identifying and addressing security events promptly, leading to prolonged downtime and reduced operational efficiency. Firewalls must offer streamlined, real-time monitoring and alert systems to simplify security management.

Achieving Security and Uptime With Next-Gen LAN Firewalls

The EDF-G1002-BP Series industrial LAN firewalls empower operators to tackle these challenges by enhancing security and maintaining uptime. These firewalls operate in transparent mode, safeguarding vital assets and ensuring secure east-west traffic within LANs.

Simplified Deployment

Our LAN firewalls are designed for easy installation without requiring changes to IP subnets, making them ideal for applications where network reconfiguration is not an option. Featuring a two-port bump-in-the-wire setup, they integrate seamlessly into existing networks, minimizing disruption and maximizing security.

Optimized Uptime

With a boot time of just 30 seconds, the EDF-G1002-BP Series ensures rapid recovery following power outages, avoiding false alarms between control centers and PLC equipment. Additionally, the LAN Bypass feature keeps systems operational even during hardware or software malfunctions, guaranteeing uninterrupted service.

Legacy Device Security

Protecting legacy devices is a cornerstone of these firewalls. Equipped with IPS and DPI technologies, they shield critical assets like PLCs and HMIs from current threats. IPS provides virtual patches and signature-based protections, offering a buffer while updates are implemented. DPI allows granular control of communication, supporting diverse industrial protocols and filtering traffic for heightened security.

Streamlined Network Management

Paired with MXview One and MXsecurity software, these firewalls simplify monitoring and management. MXview One delivers a unified view of network status, while MXsecurity centralizes firewall policy management and real-time threat alerts, enabling rapid responses to mitigate risks.

Reliable Cybersecurity for Industrial Applications

The EDF-G1002-BP Series provides the advanced security and reliability that modern industrial applications demand. By addressing key concerns and ensuring seamless integration, these LAN firewalls help operators safeguard their networks while maintaining optimal performance. Visit our website to explore the EDF-G1002-BP Series and learn how it can enhance your network’s security and uptime.

EDF-G1002-BP Series

• Bump-in-the-wire installation without impacting the network
• Gen3 LAN Bypass for system fault tolerance
• Industrial-grade Intrusion Prevention/Detection System (IPS/IDS)
• Examine industrial protocol data with Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) technology
• Supports Secure Boot for checking system integrity
• Check firewall policy misconfiguration with just one click

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*For any further information please contact us via info@rockford-qatar.com.