Simpler and safer than ever to connect machines

Anyone who wants to get the most out of their machinery today needs data. More and more companies are focusing on real-time data analysis, predictive maintenance and the seamless integration of their machinery into other systems. But this is not without its risks. In recent years, cybercriminals have been specifically targeting the manufacturing industry, precisely because more and more machines are connected to the network, meaning there is greater potential for damage. So how can machine builders and end users combine cyber security with connectivity? By choosing IXON’s SecureEdge Pro Gateway, which raises the bar for secure machine connections yet again.

It’s hard to imagine in a modern manufacturing environment: machines without cloud connectivity. The ability to monitor production performance from anywhere in the world and drastically reduce machine downtime is an integral part of how we manufacture today. Machines no longer operate in isolation; they are connected to other devices and networks. 

Mismatch between IT and OT

But whilst IT systems are designed with security and confidentiality in mind, the OT world relies on availability and physical barriers. You want to make as few changes as possible to PLC programmes, even when it comes to security updates.
It takes time, and even the smallest bugs could jeopardise productivity. This immediately highlights another reason why IT and OT technologies are so difficult to integrate. Whilst machines are built to last for decades, software often reaches the end of its useful life after just three to five years. The result is that machines often run on outdated, vulnerable software, which increases the risk of cybercrime. 

Edge connectivity 

So how can you adequately secure your machines without compromising the potential of the IoT? IXON believes that edge connectivity has a vital role to play in bridging the gap between OT and IT systems. By using an edge gateway with a firewall, you can securely connect to machines remotely for monitoring or maintenance tasks, as the IT and OT parts of a network are neatly separated from one another. This protects the machine network against external attacks.

Safety features

Anyone looking to achieve the highest possible level of security with edge connectivity should opt for IXON’s new flagship product. The recently launched SecureEdge Pro Gateway raises the bar for cyber-secure machine connectivity once again, with features including:

• Dedicated OT network port: keeps the factory network isolated from the internet, thereby reducing the risk of cyber threats and ensuring reliable, uninterrupted operation.

• Regular firmware updates: receive the latest patches without affecting older OT software or causing downtime.

• Built-in TPM chip: for the secure generation and storage of cryptographic keys to enable secure booting from trusted hardware and software; also enables other security features.

Safe, reliable and user-friendly

With this solution, IXON offers machine builders a secure, reliable and user-friendly way to stay connected to their machines and customers throughout the machine’s entire lifecycle, whilst optimising their production processes. The SecureEdge Pro gateway is available in four variants: Ethernet, 4G/LTE, Wi-Fi and a combination of these options.