Securing Legacy PLCs: A Game-Changing Approach for a Global Life Sciences Leader
In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the life sciences industry faces unprecedented challenges in protecting its operational technology (OT) infrastructure. The integrity of pharmaceutical and biotechnology production can have far-reaching implications for global health.
A world-leading life sciences manufacturer recently confronted significant challenges in securing its legacy Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs). Their journey to enhanced security offers invaluable insights for manufacturers across industries reliant on OT. This blog post dives into the case study, examining the challenges faced, the solutions implemented, and the transformative results achieved with NanoLock OT Defender.
The Challenge: Vulnerable Legacy Systems
At the heart of this case study is a multinational life sciences corporation. A titan in its field with over 100,000 employees operating across 80 countries, experienced a common yet critical issue: inadequately protected legacy PLCs, exposed their plants and global operations to cyberattacks. Given the company’s scale – over $30 billion in annual sales and hundreds of facilities worldwide – the stakes were undeniably high.
The company’s reliance on legacy PLCs to maintain efficient production and stringent quality standards left them vulnerable. Key vulnerabilities included:
- Easily accessible legacy PLCs
- Lack of network connectivity for 80% of legacy PLCs
- Ineffective solutions for controlling and tracking PLC configuration access
- Inability to enforce robust password management across global units
The company sought a solution to address these vulnerabilities without costly and disruptive PLC replacements or upgrades.
The Search for a Solution
The company found itself at a crossroads. A comprehensive search revealed limitations in existing solutions. Network-based protections were insufficient for offline PLCs, while device manufacturer offerings lacked the necessary access control and traceability. The company required a device-level security solution capable of:
- Securing legacy PLCs without replacement or upgrades
- Providing robust access control and audit trails for PLC changes
- Simplifying password management across global units
- Addressing insider and third-party threats
- Functioning in connected, disconnected, and air-gapped environments
NanoLock OT Defender: A Paradigm Shift in PLC Security
The life sciences manufacturer found its answer in NanoLock Security’s OT Defender solution. This solution provided a device-level prevention strategy securing both new and legacy PLCs without performance compromises or extensive hardware upgrades.
Results: Enhanced Security and Operational Efficiency
NanoLock OT Defender delivered significant benefits, enhancing the company’s OT security posture and operational efficiency:
- Prevented security breaches from insider and third-party threats
- Implemented multi-factor authentication and granular access controls
- Provided user traceability and comprehensive audit trails
- Secured multi-vendor, new and legacy PLCs, in connected, disconnected, and air-gapped environments.
- Simplified operations through centralized password control and multi-vendor PLC management
- Ensured minimal disruption with quick and easy deployment
- Offered cost-effective security without hardware upgrades
Lessons for the Industry
This case study offers valuable lessons for manufacturers facing similar challenges in the OT security landscape:
- Legacy systems can be secured without replacement.
- Device-level security is essential alongside network protection.
- Offline devices require dedicated security measures.
- Centralized management is crucial for complex industrial environments.
- Advanced security can be implemented with minimal disruption.
- Protecting against insider threats is paramount.
A New Standard in OT Security
As cyber threats evolve, the life sciences industry must prioritize OT security. NanoLock OT Defender demonstrates that robust protection for legacy PLCs is achievable without compromising performance or requiring extensive infrastructure changes. This solution enhances cybersecurity, supports regulatory compliance, and maintains the integrity of critical manufacturing processes.
Whether in life sciences, manufacturing, energy, or other industries, NanoLock Security offers expertise and technology to protect your critical assets.
Don’t let legacy PLCs become your biggest security vulnerability.
