Palo Alto Networks introduced its ruggedized PA-220R next-generation firewall that is designed to prevent successful cyberattacks in the network environments of industrial control systems, or ICS, and supervisory control and data acquisition, or SCADA, systems. The new firewall meets required performance and reliability standards for operating in demanding industrial settings, such as utility substations, power plants and factory floors.
Protecting critical infrastructure from cyberattacks poses unique challenges because the environments can be harsh, and systems often use specialized protocols. Advanced IT technologies in ICS and SCADA environments must often be connected to external networks, increasing exposure to risk and requiring sophisticated cybersecurity to ensure that successful cyberattacks are prevented.
The new ruggedized NGFW has been designed to operate reliably in environments with extreme temperatures, humidity, dust, vibration and electromagnetic interference, using the PAN-OS operating system to deliver granular, ICS-specific traffic visibility, network segmentation, and integrated threat prevention to industrial networks in harsh environments. These enhancements provide enterprise-class cybersecurity capabilities that safely enable operational technology, or OT, modernization.
“ICS systems are being modernized to be more efficient through the use of more advanced IT technologies, often increasing exposure to attacks. Better industrial cybersecurity offerings are required to safely enable OT modernization; and the new Palo Alto Networks PA-220R next-generation firewall optimizes the ICS-specific security that we already provide to our customers, now for deployment in the harshest of industrial environments and remote locations.” said, Lee Klarich, chief product officer, Palo Alto Networks.