ABB has announced it is to integrate security solutions provider Forescout's cyber technology within its portfolio of industrial expertise and cyber security solutions to enhance operators’ abilities to detect known and unknown control system threats.
Through greater integration of physical technology and software, ABB says it will help to deliver efficiencies as the need for manual asset inventorying and non-cyber security network monitoring is reduced. Customers will gain comprehensive cyber security visibility into operational technology environments, and receive insights to respond to any incidents, faster and in a highly targeted way, it said.
“Cyber security is a real concern across industry, and there is significant value to be gained from better network monitoring,” said Gino Hernandez, Head of Digital for ABB Energy Industries. “Breaches in network security can cost millions of dollars in repairs and fines, have potential impact from unplanned downtime, and affect a business’s reputation. ABB’s partnership with ForeScout will give customers a high level of network visibility and greater protection across their systems.”
ABB will also provide, through a reseller agreement, Forescout’s industry-leading eyeSight, eyeInspect and eyeSegment security solutions with a focus on addressing the convergence of operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT). Forescout’s eyeInspect and eyeSight solutions offer customers a means to identify all connected devices on control system networks, and extract information to centrally monitor and protect a complete asset inventory. The solutions also identify and detect vulnerable operational technology devices
“The threats to businesses and infrastructure from network intrusion and data breaches are growing, and the rapid increase in remote operations in 2020 has fueled this further,” said Pedro Abreu, Forescout Chief Product and Strategy Officer. “Now more than ever, it is crucial that critical industries have robust, sophisticated cyber security solutions in place. Working with ABB, and its deep domain expertise in the energy and process industries sectors means that customers get the best of both worlds – world-leading industrial knowledge combined with the latest technology, to better protect their control systems.”
