What is actually... Industrial Monitoring?

Networks in modern companies are becoming increasingly complex: in the meantime, not only computers and printers make up company IT networks, but also local servers, W-LAN access points and VoIP telephone systems. But that's not all: with the conversion to Industry 4.0, the boundaries between IT and industrial OT are also blurring. Suddenly, ICS and SCADA systems are also part of the IT infrastructure. These control diverse industrial plants, from simple valves to fully automated production facilities. Logistics is also becoming increasingly networked. Here, too, automation has found its way in. For example, in the aisles of high-bay warehouses there are not only people, but now also autonomous industrial trucks.

Monitoring such a network "by hand" is neither sensible nor feasible in most cases. Industrial Monitoring makes it possible to map complex networks with the help of a structure diagram and to monitor them in real time. Furthermore, it is possible to view the origin, destination and content of all data traffic within the OT network.

Through comprehensive mapping, it is possible to capture all devices on the network and view information such as the up-to-dateness of the operating software. This enables any network components to be checked for possible security gaps and appropriate countermeasures, such as the adjustment of firewall rules, to be carried out promptly.

Furthermore, industrial monitoring enables all communication within the network to be monitored and tracked at the protocol level. All common IT protocols are supported as well as OT protocols such as Modbus, Profibus or Siemens S7. In this way, not only can the path of an unauthorised command within the network be traced, but the content of this command can also be read out. This allows early detection of attacks by hackers from the outside, as well as "rogue" employees who try to compromise the network from the inside. In such a case, a firewall installed at the "entrance and exit" of the network cannot do much.

But industrial monitoring solutions do not only protect the industrial network from cyberattacks. It can also point out defective equipment by detecting abnormal behaviour and sounding the alarm before major damage is done or even a total failure occurs. This not only ensures the integrity of the network, but also increases productivity and availability by effectively preventing failures.

A Industrial Monitoring Lösungen can be easily integrated into an existing, active network without having to shut down normal operations. For the deployment, a central server must be installed on which all analysis data can be collected and processed. Sensor units are then placed at various strategically important points. This can be done, for example, at the mirror port of a switch in order to monitor the entire network traffic that runs through this switch. The sensors process the data about the monitored industrial machines and transmit it continuously to the central analysis server. Normal operation does not have to be interrupted for this and production can continue undisturbed.

If you are interested in an industrial monitoring solution, please contact us without obligation by phone, email or our contact form. We will be happy to advise you!