Innovative Software Solution Bridges Cybersecurity Gap in Operational Technology 

Innovative Software Solution Bridges Cybersecurity Gap in Operational Technology 

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The global industry sector has been coping with a complex challenge. Manual processes and machines have been computerized and automated, and connected to the internet network. However, in contrast to cyber-secured IT technologies, the industrial systems that have become smart and connected platforms were not built with defenses from the start, and hence are exposed to major cyber threats.

Around the world, as well as in Israel, there is a major gap between the high level of IT security and OT (Operational Technology) security. In fact, they operate based on completely different protocols. Organizations with highly automated production sites and factories that face significant security and financial risk especially need to bridge this gap.

The international company Claroty has developed a dedicated solution for OT cyber security. The company whose team is mostly Israeli was established by the Israeli Team8 Group.

Their platform provides a comprehensive solution with several aspects:

  • Full network visibility of all the devices in the industrial network
  • Risk management – reflecting breaches and vulnerabilities 
  • Threat detection by constant active and passive monitoring 

The unique technology, a one-stop-shop for enterprise and public and critical infrastructure customers, already provides secure remote access capabilities against cyber threats. Over the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, this is an important advantage as the accelerated digital transformation and remote access work all over the world require immediate security solutions.  

The COVID-19 pandemic has also shifted the focus from on-site integration to cloud-based solutions. 

Claroty’s solution is comprehensive – it provides security also to the wide range of IoT devices – all the smart, connected sensors and monitors – that accompany the operational systems at the production line.

In an interview to iHLS, the newly-appointed CEO Yaniv Vardi described their solution as “an end-to-end platform that provides response to all the cybersecurity needs of enterprises and critical infrastructure operators.” The solution improves the availability, safety, and reliability of OT assets and networks in industrial organizations and critical infrastructures – all within a single, agentless platform. 

Yaniv Vardi photo by Keren Mazor

In Israel, as in other countries around the world, there is still a gap in OT and critical and public infrastructures security. Claroty has been cooperating with the Israeli cyber authority, and has provided it with assistance recently.

The company’s security solutions have been adopted by industrial automation vendors in various sectors all over the world, and they are supplied to all the leading critical platforms in the oil, gas and energy, water supply, and pharma sectors.

Recently, the company has supported several global automotive customers in their understanding of the network and identifying vulnerabilities. According to Vardi, “thanks to Claroty’s software, these customers succeeded not only in blocking the attacks but also to see that other world websites connected to them were also secured.”

The company’s unified IT/OT solutions enable organizations and critical infrastructures operators to leverage their existing IT security processes and technologies to improve the availability, safety, and reliability of their OT assets and networks seamlessly and without requiring downtime or dedicated teams.