As the use of smart devices and other advanced automation technologies transform the shop floor and the manufacturing ecosystem becomes more dispersed, the risks associated with network outages and cyber threats escalate. The hyper-connected world of modern business means that the strength of any production operation is determined by its weakest link. When one device fails, it can significantly disrupt an entire business's operations.
These failures can also impact your partners. In a supply chain attack, for instance, cybercriminals typically target less secure third-party vendors or suppliers. Once they gain access, the attackers can introduce malicious software that spreads throughout the supply chain, causing data breaches and widespread disruption throughout the network.
Safeguarding industrial connectivity
According to a recent study by Deloitte, 86% of executives at manufacturing companies believe their competitiveness will mostly be driven by smart factory solutions over the next five years. However, as the use of IIoT expands, manufacturers are realizing that their networks are becoming increasingly complex and less clearly defined.
This puts them at the risk of production downtime due to network failure, increased cybersecurity vulnerabilities, as well as exposure of intellectual property and other sensitive data. To mitigate these risks, companies must prioritize robust cybersecurity measures and network optimization to safeguard their operations.
SD-WAN (software-defined wide area network) is a technology that uses software to centrally manage and optimize wide area network connections, improving performance, security and flexibility across multiple locations. For manufacturers, it enables seamless data transmission from IIoT sensors, real-time machine-to-machine communication and high-speed data analysis.
It can also help offset network failures by providing an intelligent network architecture that supports application-aware routing and automatic failover. By allowing for the use of simultaneous, multiple network connections, SD-WAN can mitigate failures on a single link. Essentially, if one connection goes down, traffic can be automatically routed to the remaining active links. SD-WAN can also dynamically route traffic based on network conditions, application requirements and defined policies to help avoid congested or failed network paths.
SD-WAN can also prioritize the functioning of critical applications to ensure they receive the necessary bandwidth and performance, even if the network is experiencing other issues. Many SD-WAN solutions also provide enhanced network visibility and monitoring tools to help rapidly identify and resolve these issues.
Because SD-WAN is software-based and centrally managed, it provides scalability and end-to-end management of all IIoT components on the network without requiring hardware or manual configurations that commonly lead to vulnerabilities created by human error.
Securing networks
SD-WAN also serves as a vital security solution, enabling manufacturers to fortify their network defenses, mitigate cyber threats and maintain the integrity of their critical operations. According to a 2024 Hanover Research Study, 81% of enterprises surveyed stated that their SD-WAN solution would directly contribute to improving their security posture. Through advanced encryption, real-time threat detection and centralized security management, SD-WAN provides comprehensive protection for smart factory environments, ensuring robust safeguards against evolving cyber risks.
But SD-WAN works best when integrated with a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. For instance, it complements segmentation security, which divides a network into multiple segments to limit the fallout if a breach occurs. To create a truly resilient security posture, manufacturers should also implement robust firewall technology, advanced malware protection, and real-time intrusion detection and prevention systems. An extended security perimeter covering distributed and remote locations is essential in today’s interconnected manufacturing landscape.
SD-WAN serves as a foundational layer for building out an advanced secure access service edge (SASE) framework, where multiple technologies come together to form a unified, cloud-based networking and cybersecurity solution. By integrating SD-WAN with security service edge (SSE), manufacturers can smoothly transition to SASE for a scalable network with cutting-edge cloud-based security.
Manufacturers collaborating with experienced managed service providers are more apt to effectively implement their SD-WAN and security solutions. Such partners are valuable, particularly to manufacturers, because they can provide global reach, including in rural areas where factories often reside and where reliable connectivity can be a challenge.
These providers can also recommend tailored solutions and bring in additional security services such as managed detection and response (MDR) and distributed denial of service (DDoS) protection to enhance the manufacturer’s security posture even further.
Eric Hyman is vice president of corporate and product marketing at GTT.
