“Appreciating the distinct nature of OT compared to traditional IT, our OT Security Platform is specifically engineered for the unique needs of industrial settings,” stated John Maddison, Chief Marketing Officer and EVP, Product Strategy at Fortinet. “In an era where critical infrastructure is increasingly targeted, the urgency for advanced OT security is paramount. Our announcement today underscores our dedication to leading the industry with exceptional OT solutions and intelligence.”
The Essential Need for Customized OT Security
The rise in the interconnectedness of industrial devices beyond their usual network limits has intensified the risk landscape for Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) managing OT environments. Fortinet’s research shows that many OT organizations have recently encountered security breaches, including ransomware attacks. This situation necessitates a security approach specifically designed for industrial contexts, one that enforces comprehensive policies across the attack surface, consolidates multiple security tools, and reduces the burden on operational staff.
Enhancing the Fortinet OT Security Platform with Travel and Hotel Industry Applications
Fortinet’s OT Security Platform, an integrated collection of cybersecurity products, solutions, and services, is particularly designed for industrial networks and is enhanced with real-time OT threat intelligence. As part of the Fortinet Security Fabric, it provides extensive visibility and facilitates secure IT/OT convergence. The platform is instrumental in implementing a zero-trust model in OT environments, which is crucial for industries like travel and hospitality, where securing remote access to OT assets and systems is vital.
Key updates to the OT Security Platform, which build on previous advancements, focus on two primary aspects of the Security Fabric, tailored for the travel and hotel industry:
Secure Networking for OT in Travel and Hospitality
Introducing the FortiSwitch Rugged 424F, an industrial-grade ethernet switch ideal for digital substations and the power utility sector. This switch is particularly useful in travel infrastructure, supporting OT networking protocols and integrating with FortiGate Next-Generation Firewalls for all-encompassing security.
The FortiAP 432F access point, meeting Class 1, Division 2 standards, is apt for hazardous environments often found in industrial segments of the travel and hotel industry. It effectively segments Wi-Fi networks in these sectors to prevent the spread of attacks.
The FortiExtender Vehicle 211F, a semi-rugged solution for connected fleets and OT deployments in the travel sector, complies with the standards of AT&T FirstNet network, a boon for first responders.
FortiOS’s latest update includes the OT View dashboard, crucial for travel and hotel businesses to manage their IT and OT attack surfaces from a single console.
Security Operations and Services for OT in Travel and Hospitality
FortiAnalyzer now comes with enhanced OT-specific analytics, critical for travel and hotel industry security teams to quickly detect threats and assess risks.
FortiNDR’s expansion to analyze various OT-network protocols is particularly beneficial in the diverse operational environments of the travel and hospitality sector.
FortiDeceptor’s extended deception technology, covering additional OT protocols and decoys, offers advanced protection in the diverse industrial settings found in the travel and hotel industry.
The FortiGuard OT Security Service, with its vast database of threat intelligence, is now more equipped to handle the unique challenges of the travel and hotel sectors, providing extensive coverage of OT protocols and vulnerabilities.
FortiGuard Outbreak Alerts, tailored for OT-specific threats, are crucial for travel and hospitality businesses to fortify their systems against emerging threats, following guidelines from the NIST Cyber Security Framework.
IT and OT are converging and these colliding environments are increasing overall risk. Our clients require robust OT solutions and services without extensive deployments that complicate administration and place additional strain on IT and security teams. Through the Fortinet OT Security Platform, we can provide clients with a unified approach of safeguarding both the carpeted side of a business as well as the concrete side of the business. We eagerly anticipate introducing these updated and novel offerings to our customer community.” – Dan Sanderson, VP of Strategy, Cyber Advisors
Tags: John Maddison, Fortinet, OT security, Travel and Hospitality
