Fortinet, Siemens join hands to offer protection for OT networks

Sunnyvale, California-based network security solutions provider Fortinet has entered into a technology partnership with industrial automation and digitisation firm Siemens to offer security for operational technology (OT) networks. 

OT networks monitor the performance of facilities such as lights, elevators, heating and cooling systems. 

The Munich-based company has joined the Fortinet fabric-ready technology alliance partner programme to address the security challenges associated with the convergence of OT and information technology (IT) networks, the companies said in a joint statement.

The solutions provide customers with more effective security, and are pre-integrated, meaning they can be easily deployed. Fortinet says its program partners include AWS, Amdocs, appviewX, Alibaba Cloud and Cisco, among others.

“OT networks are increasingly exposed to cyber threats through their convergence with IT systems. By partnering with Siemens, Fortinet continues our focus on expanding the Fortinet Security Fabric platform deep into OT networks,” said Rajesh Maurya, regional vice president, India and SAARC, Fortinet.

The joint solution will integrate Fortinet’s FortiGate next-generation firewall with the Ruggedcom multi-service platform family of switches and routers to improve the integration of cybersecurity into locations with harsh environments, the joint statement added.

In addition to this joint solution, Siemens will also bring out Fortinet’s firewall VM bundled with the APE 1808 to further enable the availability of advanced security solutions for OT environments, Siemens said.

The companies also said that the addition of Siemens to the programme extends the range of integrated security solutions now available to OT customers through the Fortinet Security Fabric.

“Organisations with OT systems face a unique set of requirements when it comes to connectivity and security. As a Fortinet Fabric-Ready Partner, we are able to bring leading cybersecurity technology to our customers to integrate this offering within new projects as well as our vast installed base. This ensures their networks not only stay up and running but also remain secure even in the harshest environments,” said Hannes Barth, general manager, Siemens Ruggedcom.

The major players operating in the OT market are ABB (Switzerland), General Electric (US), Honeywell International Inc. (US), Schneider Electric (France), Yokogawa Electric (Japan), Rockwell Automation, Inc. (US), Emerson (US), IBM (US) and Oracle (US), among others.

The global operational technology (OT) security market was valued at $200 million in 2018 and is expected to register a CAGR of 42.2% to reach $3,531 million by 2025, according to a research firm Market Research Future (MRFR)

The market growth can be attributed to the convergence of IT and OT ecosystems, rising risks of cyber threats on critical infrastructure, and dependence on legacy systems which eventually makes the enterprise more prone to cyberattacks. Also, the increase in investments to adopt the industrial internet of things (IIoT) solutions is likely to make way for the growth of the operational technology security market during the forecast period, according to MRFR.

In September, the Gururam headquartered airline Indigo had deployed multiple solutions from Fortinet to bolster security and connectivity in its business processes.

In May, Siemens had said that it will launch four new digital innovation centres in the country as it seeks to expand its Industry 4.0 offerings.

Fortinet has previously talked about cybercriminals using emerging technology such as AI and ML to attack companies. 

Also, read: Indian companies have doubled cybersecurity budget: Fortinet's Rajesh Maurya