Three Essential Recommendations to Prepare for Future Industrial Network Communication

For achieving operational resilience, an increasing number of enterprises are concentrating on transitioning to digitalized operations. The integration of numerous sensors and machines in use is leading to the evolution of industrial networks to sustain the expanding volume of connected devices and digital applications. However, given that this domain is largely uncharted territory, industrial entities must surmount multiple obstacles before they can realize the benefits offered by next-generation industrial networks. In this piece, we aim to present three crucial recommendations to assist you in addressing these challenges.

Recommendation 1: Emphasize the Importance of Network Reliability

Maintaining uninterrupted operations is a critical aspect of industrial activities. Undoubtedly, reliability serves as a pivotal criterion for sustainable operations. Nevertheless, as operational technology (OT) networks transition towards a more open architecture, the proliferation of connected devices intensifies communication complexity within the network exponentially. Any delays or data losses can result in costly system downtimes. The impact of unstable or faulty connections on business operations has currently become more pronounced than ever before. Hence, establishing robust network reliability should be at the forefront of priorities.

CUSTOMER CASE: Smart Substation

Ensuring the continuous control and coordination functions of substations are crucial for maintaining the stability of the overall power system. Industrial networks play a crucial role in guaranteeing efficient and flexible communication between these systems. Our client, the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA), an expert in the field of electricity, is endeavoring to construct reliable industrial networks to uphold critical network communications for their smart substations.

”When implementing and maintaining a digital substation communication system, we require a dependable expert we know we can rely on.”                     – Pongsakorn Yuthagovit, Assistant governor of PEA

To facilitate a seamless transition to smart power infrastructure, it is imperative to deploy durable network devices to ensure maximum uptime in immensely demanding operational environments, including extreme temperatures and high electromagnetic interference. Additionally, incorporating robust redundancy mechanisms as a safety net to prevent disruptions and minimize recovery times is advisable, as any packet loss could impact the performance and stability of the substation systems. Having an efficient redundant network system in place enables substations to operate autonomously and facilitate real-time communication. This empowers, for instance, one substation to take over if another becomes disabled due to external factors such as severe weather conditions. The resultant network reliability ensures reliable communication with zero packet loss and instantaneous network recovery times.

Recommendation 2: Precede with Secure Networking Solutions Tailored for OT

In recent years, cybersecurity breaches in the OT sector have escalated. Given that most production data of critical applications is confidential and frequently pertains to public welfare and safety, OT engineers are under pressure to uphold the intelligence and security of their systems simultaneously. However, merely deploying IT cybersecurity technologies in industrial applications is not ideal. A common feedback from OT engineers is that IT cybersecurity mechanisms may impede the efficacy of industrial communication. For instance, an IT-secure remote connection service may encounter difficulties connecting to a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) within an OT environment and establishing diverse access control regulations to enhance security. Thus, amalgamating purpose-built OT networks and cybersecurity measures is imperative to mitigate potential threats and sustain continuous operations.

CUSTOMER CASE: Secure Remote Access

YNY Technology, a provider of process control solutions, remotely supported a foreign edible oil refinery customer. The convenience and efficiency of remote service provision presented YNY with an excellent opportunity to offer enhanced customer support amid the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for their international clientele. The plant owner necessitated a dependable control system to oversee the entire process and ensure consistent quality and optimized production volumes. Nonetheless, YNY had to reassure the customer that remote connections were secure and shielded against security breaches during the provision of remote services.

“Edible oil refinery clients are extremely cautious about cybersecurity since the specifics of their production process constitute the company’s proprietary recipe.”                                                                                                                                                                         – Jeffery Wong, Senior business unit manager of YNY Technology

Cyber threats invariably stand out as the foremost concern when contemplating remote connections in industrial scenarios. To safeguard critical data, we strongly advocate implementing end-to-end encryption to secure incoming and outgoing data streams during a remote access session and forestall data leakages. Furthermore, to fortify the system against unauthorized access, on-demand access control mechanisms can assist in determining whether remote connection requests should be permitted or declined. For example, with account-based access control, users can delineate which clients can access which machinery, thereby ensuring that solely authorized personnel can connect to pivotal assets such as PLCs. Finally, opting for secure networking tools tailored for OT that enable technical personnel with limited IT acumen to readily configure remote access is advisable. Intuitive and user-friendly tools designed for OT engineers can reduce costs and deliver enhanced system-side protection.

Recommendation 3: Select Comprehensive Management Solutions Providing Full Network and Security Visibility

As the count of connected devices burgeons from a handful to several hundreds or more, manually overseeing such intricate networks with minimal downtime becomes progressively more challenging. A single point of failure could have a significant impact on the entire OT infrastructure and possibly even the IT networking systems. Therefore, guaranteeing maximum uptime to ensure smooth business operations and reap the advantages of digital transformation stands as a crucial yet formidable endeavor. To effectively manage these interlinked, and at times dispersed, network devices, having transparent network visualization from a central hub is indispensable for efficiently configuring devices and sustaining systems at a large scale. It empowers you to promptly address issues and optimize network uptime.

CUSTOMER CASE: Intelligent Transportation Systems

The City of Lancaster in northern Los Angeles County aspired to deploy an advanced traffic management system (ATMS) solution. Besides erecting a reliable network infrastructure, maintaining networks across the distributed traffic systems posed a considerable challenge for the city government’s traffic technicians. In the event of a device malfunction, engineers were compelled to proceed to the repair site and inspect roadside cabinets individually. Engineers worked on-site during both day and night shifts, occasionally amidst heavy rainfall or scorching temperatures.

“There was a frequent necessity to dispatch technicians to inspect equipment when communication links failed, sometimes during nighttime operations, consuming a significant amount of time and resources.”                                                                                                                    – Mitch Megas, Traffic Engineering Technician for the City of Lancaster

Network and security management is intricate. It’s imperative to possess a holistic view of your network infrastructure to promptly address issues, optimize network uptime, and safeguard all networking devices. We strongly recommend opting for user-friendly industrial network and security management software to remotely configure, monitor, and diagnose the network at any given time. Particularly for distributed networks covering expansive physical areas, having the ability to remotely manage devices from a centralized location can conserve ample resources and time. This approach facilitates technicians in efficiently managing the network and monitoring the security status, enabling them to respond promptly to any malfunctions.

Conquer OT Networking Obstacles With Moxa and Embrace a Digital Future

As a specialist in industrial networking, Moxa is dedicated to furnishing future-proof network solutions that facilitate the seamless integration of IT and OT systems and the establishment of sustainable, smooth network operations. Through active collaboration with our clients, we design our industrial network solutions to surmount the challenges of both today and tomorrow.

For further insights, download our guidebook and unlock the key to successfully constructing future-proof industrial networks.