Frequenty Asked Questions
OT & Cybersecurity FAQs
What is NIS2 and how does it affect manufacturers?
NIS2 is an EU cybersecurity directive that strengthens security requirements for critical industries, including many manufacturers, by improving cyber resilience and risk management.
Why is OT cybersecurity different from IT security?
OT cybersecurity protects industrial control systems, PLCs and production networks, where maintaining safe and continuous operations is the priority.
What is network segmentation in industrial automation?
Network segmentation separates industrial systems from business networks, helping reduce cyber risk and limit the impact of security incidents.
How can manufacturers secure legacy PLC systems?
Legacy PLCs can be protected using network segmentation, secure remote access, firewalls, monitoring and controlled access without necessarily replacing existing equipment.
What is secure remote access for industrial control systems?
Secure remote access allows authorised engineers to safely connect to industrial equipment for monitoring, maintenance and support while protecting the production network from unauthorised access.
What information should appear on a manufacturing dashboard?
Typical dashboards include production output, downtime, alarms, OEE, machine status, energy usage and key performance indicators.
Can older PLCs be connected to modern SCADA systems?
In many cases, yes. Existing PLCs can often be integrated with modern SCADA platforms, depending on the hardware and communication protocols.
What’s the difference between SCADA and HMI?
An HMI controls and monitors an individual machine, while SCADA provides centralised monitoring, reporting and control across multiple systems or an entire facility.
