OT architecture problem
Flat OT Networks
Many industrial facilities still operate with flat OT networks where PLCs, HMIs, engineering workstations, historians, and third-party systems share common network paths.
Overview
A flat OT network allows systems with different functions, consequences and support models to share broad communication paths. The concern is not the absence of a fashionable architecture label; it is that a fault or compromised asset may reach systems it has no operational reason to contact.
Brownfield segmentation starts by establishing the installed network and required communications. Blocking traffic from an assumed drawing can interrupt control, engineering, time synchronisation, name resolution, backup or supplier support.
Typical impact
What this can affect
- increased lateral movement risk
- poor separation between critical systems
- difficult firewall implementation
- limited asset visibility
- weak audit evidence
Engineering response
Review the installed architecture and required communications, then define zones, conduits, firewall requirements and a staged migration plan.
Further detail
Evidence to collect before design
- current switch, router and firewall configurations
- asset and interface records with confidence or source
- observed and supplier-declared communication flows
- engineering, monitoring and vendor support paths
- process dependencies, outage limits and rollback needs
- ownership of shared services and external connections
Related support and guidance
Related services
Choose this when your project needs specialist engineering capacity. A defined OT cybersecurity work package for risk, architecture, design review, supplier interfaces and assurance evidence within an active industrial project.
Discuss flat ot networks
Use the 30-minute introductory call to outline the system, decision, project stage and evidence currently available. Keep sensitive site details out of the booking form.