Gaining Control and Visibility:
How a Leading Home Appliance Manufacturer Enhanced PLC Security
A recent case study highlights how a major American multinational home appliance manufacturer tackled significant challenges in managing and securing their Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) across 40 facilities worldwide.
This industry leader, known for producing everyday household appliances like refrigerators and washing machines, faced a complex security landscape:
- Lack of control over PLC changes and user authorization: Unauthorized users could gain access to the PLCs, compromising system security.
- Managing PLCs in multiple locations: With over 37 facilities, securing and monitoring the large number of PLCs across the globe presented a significant challenge.
- Diverse PLC vendors: The use of multiple PLC vendors created a complex security landscape, making it difficult to implement a unified security strategy.
- Legacy PLCs up to 30 years old: These older devices were often difficult to patch or update, making them vulnerable to cyberattacks.
- Air-gapped systems with a false sense of security: These isolated systems, seemingly protected from the internet, were vulnerable to insider and third-party threats.
- Limited visibility into login activities and changes made to PLC configurations
The company’s OT cybersecurity team needed a solution that could address these challenges while integrating seamlessly with existing systems.
NanoLock’s OT Defender was chosen for its ability to:
- Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) at the PLC level
- Provide detailed audits of devices and users
- Offer security across multi-vendor environments, including legacy devices
- Integrate seamlessly with existing systems
The adoption of NanoLock’s OT Defender solution enabled the appliance manufacturer to achieve:
- Enhanced device-level protection: Robust security for both new and legacy PLCs, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
- Comprehensive audit trail: Real-time visibility into all access attempts and user activities, allowing for proactive security measures.
- Multi-vendor management system: Easy control and monitoring of all company PLCs, regardless of their vendor.
- Fast and easy deployment: Quick implementation of the solution, minimizing disruption to operations.
- Maintained business continuity: Continued operation of production lines and PLCs even in the event of a cyber incident.
This case study highlights the critical importance of securing OT infrastructure in manufacturing environments. As cyber threats evolve, companies must adapt their security measures to protect not just their IT systems, but also their operational technology. Implementing robust security measures at the device level, manufacturers can significantly reduce their risk profile and ensure the integrity of their production lines. NanoLock’s OT Defender proved to be a valuable tool in achieving these goals, even in complex, multi-vendor environments with legacy systems.
Want to learn more about how this leading home appliance manufacturer enhanced their OT security and optimized operations integrity? Download the full case study now.
