Fortinet and Siemens enter into technology partnership
Fortinet enters into a technology partnership with Siemens. The two companies announced their first integrated security solution. The focus is on the special security and connectivity requirements of operational technology networks.
While operational technology (OT) environments used to be self-contained, they are now increasingly converging with IT networks. This exposes industrial control systems (ICS) to increased cyber security risk. For example, according to the OT/ICS Survey SANS 2019 just over 50 percent of respondents rated the ICS cyber risk to their organization as "serious/critical" or "high." However, properly securing OT environments presents many challenges, Fortinet writes. Often, production facilities contain older and sensitive systems that cannot be adequately protected with traditional security solutions. In addition, connectivity and security are often difficult to establish in demanding infrastructures and branch offices. There are robust products designed for use in such environments. But assembling and deploying them into a solution often presents problems in terms of connectivity, reliability, storage capacity and even physical security, the cyber security vendor said.
To address the security challenges posed by the convergence of IT and OT networks, Siemens is committed to the Fortinet Fabric-Ready Technology Alliance Partner Program joined
First joint product and bundle
The two companies' first fabric-ready solution connects a firewall to specific switches and routers from the technology partner. The solution makes it easier to implement cyber security at sites with challenging environments such as substations, he said. The application would be deployed out-of-the-box in a single integrated appliance. As a result, it requires little space and power and avoids connectivity and safety issues. Remote maintenance would also facilitate setup and ongoing management. In addition to this joint application, Siemens would launch its solution bundled with APE 1808 to improve the availability of advanced cyber security solutions for OT environments.
Source: Fortinet
