Partnership responds to automation cyber threats

HardwarePT, the industrial IT division of SolutionsPT, has announced a new partnership with Tofino Security, in response to the growing cyber threats in the industrial automation industry.

Tofino Security, a Belden brand, provides practical and effective industrial network security and SCADA security products which are simple to implement and that do not require plant shutdowns.

The partnership will see HardwarePT becoming the largest provider of Tofino Security’s industrial network security products, consultancy and training to the manufacturing and infrastructure sectors in Britain and Ireland.

Multiple Pathways for Stuxnet Infection
(Pic Tofino)

Mike Lees, Business Manager at HardwarePT, said: “Since the Stuxnet attack, industrial IT cyber security has become a major consideration for manufacturers and infrastructure organisations in meeting their availability targets. Our experience is that while such high profile targeted incidents make the news headlines, the main threat comes from inadvertent infection by system users, with the end result being just as devastating and highlighting the need for a solution based around strength and depth. We recognised the need to work with a specialist security vendor and it was clear that Tofino Security would be the perfect partner, due to its experience, credibility and pedigree of success”.

“Unlike security products designed for mainstream IT, the Tofino Security solution has been designed with the rugged environment, staff skills and specific needs of industry in mind, is fully compliant with the ANSI/ISA-99 security standard and is, therefore, well matched with the needs of our customers.”

Frank Williams, Senior Product Manager at Tofino Security, said ‘We are delighted to be working with an organisation like HardwarePT which understands the specialist requirements of the industrial sector and is able to offer a complete solution to its customers from system design through to the on-going management of Tofino installations."

Tofino Security products protect zones of equipment on the plant floor and are complementary to Belden’s Hirschmann brand, which is the industry leader for industrial networking solutions in sectors including oil and gas, utilities, transportation and automation.

• See also our ICS & SCADA Security page.