New OT Security Solutions from Palo Alto Networks Address Growing Cybersecurity Threats to Industrial Operations
Powered by Precision AI, new capabilities protect OT remote
operations, mitigate risk for critical OT assets and extend security into harsh
industrial environments
India, Mumbai– 24
October 2024 - The convergence of IT and operational technology (OT) and
the digital transformation of OT have created new opportunities for innovation
and efficiency in critical Industrial Automation and Control Systems. However,
these advancements also broaden the potential attack surface, making it even
more crucial to improve and extend security for OT environments. Palo Alto
Networks (NASDAQ: PANW), the global cybersecurity leader, today introduced new
capabilities in its OT Security
solution, including the industry's only fully integrated,
risk-based guided virtual patching solution, powered by Precision AI™, the Prisma®
Access Browser with Privileged Remote Access and a suite of ruggedized,
ML-powered Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs) built to withstand harsh
industrial settings where traditional firewalls often cannot operate.
According to the 2024 State of
OT Security report from Palo Alto Networks and ABI
Research, 70% of industrial organizations experienced a cyberattack on their OT
environment in the last year. Almost 25% of these organizations suffered
attacks that led to operational shutdowns and disrupted business continuity.
Anand Oswal, SVP and
GM, Network Security, Palo Alto Networks:
"The
rise in the frequency and sophistication of OT attacks, often driven by AI,
highlights the urgent need for robust, OT-specific security measures.
Organizations must implement comprehensive solutions that ensure real-time
visibility, end-to-end protection and simplified security management. Palo Alto
Networks OT Security solution, powered by Precision AI, secures both OT and
converged IT/OT in a consistent way to combat these challenges and protect
critical infrastructure."
Sid Snitkin, Vice
President, Cybersecurity Services, ARC Industrial Cybersecurity:
"Operational
technology environments are becoming increasingly complex and interconnected,
making them more susceptible to cyber threats. The ability to deploy AI-powered
tools like guided virtual patching is a game-changer for industrial cybersecurity.
It enables organizations to address vulnerabilities in real-time without the
costly and often disruptive downtime that traditional patching methods would
require. This approach not only reduces risks but also enhances the overall
resilience of OT infrastructures."
Palo Alto Networks OT Security solution safeguards all OT
environments, including networks, assets, remote operations and 5G networks. It
also provides specific visibility and capabilities to help customers simplify
operations and increase efficiency.
New features include
the ability to:
- Enhance remote
operations with secure and easy-to-deploy access for OT: Privileged
Remote Access delivered through the new Prisma Access
Browser will empower OT security teams managing remote operations.
This solution simplifies deployment and strengthens security by providing
secure, immediate access to critical OT systems for all authorized users,
including contractors and partners. It supports just-in-time access and session
recording for essential workflows, ensuring that mission-critical environments
are safeguarded while making remote access easier to manage.
- Quickly address
critical OT vulnerabilities without interrupting operations: Keeping
legacy OT assets secure can be challenging, especially when patches risk
disrupting operations. Guided Virtual Patching with Industrial OT
Security allows security teams to mitigate critical vulnerabilities
swiftly without causing downtime. Powered by Precision AI, it automates asset
inventory, assesses risks and prioritizes vulnerabilities to enable protection
of hard-to-patch systems between regular patch cycles or maintenance windows.
This prevents interruptions as well as extends the lifespan of these assets,
ensuring that critical operations remain uninterrupted and secure.
- Protect remote
industrial assets in harsh environments: Industrial operations sometimes need
to happen in tough conditions, facing rain, wind and extreme temperatures. The ruggedized
PA-400R Series firewalls offer reliable security tailored for
harsh, space-constrained environments like utility substations and factory
floors. Easy to install—even on DIN rails—they include models with 5G
connectivity to keep remote sites connected. With features like fail-to-wire
capabilities, these firewalls ensure continuous security and connectivity,
helping reduce costs while protecting critical infrastructure.
During the Industrial
Control Systems (ICS) Cybersecurity Conference this week,
attendees can learn more about the power of Palo Alto Networks new
capabilities, as well as experience an interactive tour of our OT CyberWall. In
addition, Qiang Huang, head of product management, IoT Security at Palo Alto
Networks, will be delivering a keynote about "Navigating the OT Security
Nexus: AI, Digital Transformation, and Emerging Threats" at 9:55 a.m. ET
on Tuesday, October 22.
To learn more, read our blog or visit the
Palo Alto Networks OT Security.
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About Palo Alto Networks
Palo Alto Networks is the global cybersecurity leader, committed to making each
day safer than the one before with industry-leading, AI-powered solutions in
network security, cloud security and security operations. Powered by Precision
AI, our technologies deliver precise threat detection and swift response,
minimizing false positives and enhancing security effectiveness. Our
platformization approach integrates diverse security solutions into a unified,
scalable platform, streamlining management and providing operational
efficiencies with comprehensive protection. From defending network perimeters
to safeguarding cloud environments and ensuring rapid incident response, Palo
Alto Networks empowers businesses to achieve Zero Trust security and
confidently embrace digital transformation in an ever-evolving threat
landscape. This unwavering commitment to security and innovation makes us the
cybersecurity partner of choice.
At Palo Alto Networks, we're committed to bringing together the
very best people in service of our mission, so we're also proud to be the
cybersecurity workplace of choice, recognized among Newsweek's Most Loved
Workplaces (2021-2024), with a score of 100 on the Disability Equality Index
(2024, 2023, 2022), and HRC Best Places for LGBTQ+ Equality (2022). For more
information, visit
www.paloaltonetworks.com.
Palo Alto Networks, Precision AI, Prisma, and the Palo Alto
Networks logo are trademarks of Palo Alto Networks, Inc. in the United States
and in jurisdictions throughout the world. All other trademarks, trade names,
or service marks used or mentioned herein belong to their respective owners.