Whether you are a critical infrastructure operator, OEM or system integrator, our examples demonstrate how IIoT security works in practice, from OT monitoring to lifecycle protection.
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Whether you need to secure machine parks, monitor OT networks or implement NIS2 and the Cyber Resilience Act, here you will find proven security solutions from our partners for industrial applications. They are ready for integration and have been tested for practical suitability by us and our community.
These and other partners from our network will support you from requirements definition to technical implementation. You receive consulting, technology and support throughout the entire security process in the industrial Internet of Things.
ECOS is a German software manufacturer for IT security products. On the market since 1999, ECOS develops...
Rhebo provides simple and effective cybersecurity solutions for Operational Technology and distributed...
secunet is Germany’s leading cybersecurity company. In an increasingly connected world, the company’s...
The increasing networking of industrial systems, for example in production, energy supply or critical infrastructures, brings new challenges in cybersecurity. To reliably protect systems, companies rely on holistic security strategies, modern technologies and legally required standards such as NIS2 or the Cyber Resilience Act.
With every connected device, the number of potential points of entry increases. Heterogeneous protocols, limited resources in edge devices and high system complexity make security difficult.
Many controllers have been running continuously for decades, often on unpatched operating systems. Security updates are often not technically or economically feasible.
While IT focuses on data protection, OT values process availability and fail-safety. These priorities need to be balanced.
Many companies do not have specialized OT security teams. At the same time, there is often a lack of consistent security awareness from the shopfloor to management.
Open remote access, missing encryption and unclear access controls are common attack vectors, especially for critical infrastructure facilities.
Production networks are now connected to office IT, cloud systems and service providers. This increases complexity and the demands on protective measures.
Laws such as the NIS2 Directive and the Cyber Resilience Act require documented protective measures, vulnerability management and transparent processes.
A well-thought-out security concept begins as early as the development phase. “Security by design” ensures that vulnerabilities do not arise in the first place by taking security requirements into account right from the architecture stage. In software development, DevSecOps is becoming increasingly important. Security mechanisms are firmly integrated into agile development and operations processes, from automated checks to the security pipeline.
Defense-in-depth complements this approach on the infrastructure side. Multiple layers of security, from physical access to application security, ensure that attacks do not immediately reach critical systems. This is supported by continuous risk analyses, vulnerability assessments and employee training.
Our partners use intrusion detection systems (IDS) and anomaly detection to identify attacks such as zero-day attacks at an early stage, before any damage occurs.
These technologies analyze all network traffic in OT environments, detect unwanted communication patterns and thus help to ensure the stability of critical production and energy processes.
Implementation of regulatory requirements such as NIS2, IEC 62443 or the IT Security Act, with documented measures, audit logs and reports.
With these solutions, our partners make their systems auditable, minimize liability risks and provide security evidence to authorities, critical infrastructure operators and in mechanical and plant engineering.
Managing digital identities for IoT devices throughout their lifecycle, from initial issuance and rollout to renewal and secure revocation.
Our partners successfully deploy these solutions in both small and large-scale rollouts, for example in OEM environments with thousands of connected devices.
Analyzing data traffic at the device level to detect anomalies, unauthorized access or malicious protocol patterns. This serves as a technical basis for anomaly detection and intrusion detection systems (IDS).
Our partners use deep packet inspection directly at the edge, for example in machine parks, so that suspicious communication patterns are detected at an early stage and production downtime can be prevented.
Ensuring data quality through digital signatures, hashing and validation mechanisms.
Our partners use this protection in the network, for example for safety-critical control data in energy systems, to reliably prevent tampering, even in highly regulated critical infrastructure environments.
Systematic classification of attack techniques according to MITRE ATT&CK ICS, including mapping to suitable countermeasures.
Our partners use this framework to identify vulnerabilities, prioritize security gaps and carry out structured gap analyses for their customers.
Whether you are a critical infrastructure operator, OEM or system integrator, our examples demonstrate how IIoT security works in practice, from OT monitoring to lifecycle protection.
Problem: Digital machine platforms process sensitive data. Security gaps can quickly lead to data loss or production downtime.
Solution: XITASO supports machine builders with DevSecOps. Security measures such as certificates, role management and automated testing are directly integrated into the development process.
Result: Vulnerabilities are detected early, legal requirements are met and platforms remain reliable and protected.
Problem: Unclear downtimes in logistics facilities led to massive damages. There was suspicion of internal tampering via remote access.
Solution: Digital Forensics deployed Rhebo Industrial Protector to monitor control traffic without interference and detect anomalies in real time.
Result: Sabotage attempts were stopped, vulnerabilities identified and internal policies were significantly tightened.
Problem: An outdated PKI solution could not secure many network devices and did not meet BSI requirements (e.g. SHA-2, reporting, certificate validity periods).
Solution: With the ECOS TrustManagementAppliance, R. STAHL now manages all certificates centrally for clients, servers, mobile devices, machines and encrypted communication.
Result: High automation, real-time validation and Active Directory integration reduce workload while increasing security.
Problem: Connected machines in agriculture require secure communication and scalable management of digital identities. Manual processes reach their limits.
Solution: CLAAS uses secunet to implement its own PKI in order to issue an individual certificate for each machine—secure, automated and GDPR-compliant.
Result: Protected communication, secure OTA access, scalable fleet management and a basis for a cross-manufacturer ecosystem.
More and more companies are asking themselves: How can production data be transferred securely and efficiently to central systems or the cloud without introducing new risks? In the IoT use case user group, industry representatives share their current challenges regarding OT and IIoT security. Here is an overview of the most important topics:
Data flows from production to platforms like SAP or Azure often run into limits because firewalls, VLANs or missing network access make a direct connection difficult. Within the community, the need for secure, audit-compliant interfaces to the cloud is being discussed, especially in retrofit scenarios.
“Bringing data directly from machines into a platform (such as SAP or Azure) is not trivial, especially due to OT security and network restrictions.” – March 2025
Especially with international rollouts, the question of reusable security architectures arises. How can several plants be connected to platforms like Azure or AWS without each plant having to undergo a separate audit?
“How can we achieve a secure, scalable connection from the production layer to the cloud without having to carry out a security audit every time?”
– March 2025
Standardized patterns make it harder to distinguish between normal behavior and attacks. The community is discussing use cases for AI-based anomaly detection to prevent outages or tampering.
“We want to detect anomalies in network behavior before anything happens. This is especially challenging in OT networks because traffic patterns are often very similar.” – March 2025
With increasing remote access to machines, differentiated role and permission concepts are becoming more important. Participants are exchanging experiences about multi-tenant structures, service access, and digital authentication.
“How do you actually secure access to machine information for customers in your company? Do you have role and permission concepts?” – March 2025
The discussion focuses on authentication, encryption, and tamper protection in low-power networks. Factors like battery life and technological acceptance also influence the security strategy.
“Discussion about security, battery runtimes and acceptance of the technology.” – February 2025
With the right security concept, you can not only minimize risks but also achieve measurable savings. Our partners share their practical experience:
Industrial data security prevents process disruptions and keeps operations running smoothly. In OT environments, process availability is key – every disruption can have critical consequences. Security ensures that systems run stable and reliably.
Cyberattacks, sabotage and technical failures can cause significant costs. Targeted security measures help proactively prevent outages, for example in power plants or production lines. Manipulated data that could lead to wrong decisions is also detected.
Compliance with legal regulations such as NIS2, the IT Security Act 2.0 or the Cyber Resilience Act is mandatory. Companies must demonstrate vulnerability management and secure their systems – avoiding fines and personal liability for management.
Trade secrets, product formulas and production parameters are key assets. Data security prevents this information from being spied on or manipulated. Personal data – for example in smart homes or healthcare applications – also remains protected.
Targeted attacks via remote maintenance or open protocols can be detected and blocked in real time with systems like Rhebo Industrial Protector. Companies gain full control over their OT environment and prevent downtime caused by external or internal attacks.
Secure connectivity forms the foundation for condition monitoring, predictive maintenance or fleet management. Only when IT and OT are securely networked can new services and added value be scaled sustainably, even beyond one’s own production
Remote maintenance, automated updates and predictive maintenance reduce the need for on-site interventions. At the same time, devices can be managed centrally, issues are detected early and downtime is minimized. Remote support management also benefits from greater transparency and coordination.
Security technologies such as IDS/IDPS, deep packet inspection or PKI-based authentication protect data flows and endpoints. DevSecOps and security by design also help to prevent vulnerabilities already during development. Network segmentation and edge computing help reduce the attack surface and keep data secure locally.
A reliable security approach builds trust among customers, partners and investors. By reliably preventing attacks, you protect both your systems and your company’s reputation.
Managed security services or integrated security solutions take pressure off internal teams. This allows companies to leverage external expertise while still developing their own security capabilities.
A secure architecture allows new systems to be integrated quickly and safely—whether at the edge, in the cloud or on the shopfloor. Automating security processes in development and operational environments also increases speed and future readiness.
Insufficient IIoT security comes at a cost—whether through production downtime, delayed deliveries or compliance risks. These cases highlight what’s at stake:
“One faulty update can affect 100,000 devices. That’s no longer manageable manually.” → This leads to contractual penalties, technician deployments, recalls and reputational damage. (Dr. André Engers, Landis+Gyr – Podcast episode 145)
“Such incidents require forensic investigation—and that takes a long time if there are no logs or anomaly data.” → Dangerous values can remain unnoticed. (Oliver Kleindienst, Rhebo – Podcast episode 145)
“Customers and authorities require compliance with CRA and NIS2—and you need to be able to prove it.” → Without certificates and documented standards, security can slow down sales. (Oliver Kleindienst, Rhebo – Podcast episode 145)
“If I don’t have a scalable security architecture, I can’t scale up or roll out quickly. (...) In that case, security becomes a bottleneck—it can even block rollouts.” → Rollouts become the bottleneck. (Oliver Kleindienst, Rhebo – Podcast episode 145)
In our IoT Use Case Podcast, experts and practitioners from industry, critical infrastructure and mechanical engineering talk about their projects, challenges and lessons learned around industrial security.
How can network problems be identified early and attacks stopped? This episode shows how smart anomaly detection helps prevent production downtime – straight from real-world experience.
What obligations does NIS2 entail and how can they be put into practice? This episode offers clear answers for decision-makers and digital leaders.
In this podcast, Rhebo explains how an energy provider identified vulnerabilities and systematically improved OT security. A realistic look at risks and solutions in industrial plants.
Who is responsible for the security of IoT devices— IT or engineering? Asimily and A1 Digital show how transparency, segmentation and clear responsibilities can strengthen your security strategy.
In these podcast episodes, you will learn how to detect OT anomalies, protect remote access, and implement NIS2 requirements in practice. Real projects and specific technologies are used for this purpose.
How penetration testing and DevSecOps help secure connected products in mechanical engineering—using the practical example of CELOS X with DMG MORI.
The community shows that anyone wanting to build OT and IIoT security strategically needs a systematic method to identify threats and derive targeted countermeasures. The following 3-step model from real-world practice helps you capture attack use cases in a structured way—with concrete examples from our podcast episodes.
By using passive analysis (for example via SPAN/TAP), the “normal behavior” in the OT network is recorded. Who communicates with whom, using which protocol, how often and with which commands? The goal is to create a baseline, meaning a stable communication pattern for each device.
“We use passive analysis to avoid creating production risks.” – Rhebo
Based on the baseline, specific attack scenarios are formulated—e.g., unauthorized commands, unexpected communication partners, or modified protocols. Methods such as MITRE ATT&CK for ICS are helpful in this regard. This results in clearly identifiable anomaly use cases.
“If someone intercepts between the gateway and the platform, it must not go unnoticed.” – Landis+Gyr
As soon as an incident is detected, automatic alerts are triggered via SIEM, email or SOC systems. What’s important: The incident is put into context (device, time, communication partner etc.) and evaluated based on its criticality. This leads to specific actions such as segmentation, blocking, patch recommendations or auditing.
“It’s not enough to just defend—we also need forensic insight into what happened.” – from episode 161 of the podcast with Rhebo
Many IIoT projects fail not because of the idea, but because of the implementation: a lack of scalability, high operating costs and unclear requirements lead to expensive rework and a failed business case.
On our platform, you will find tried-and-tested technologies, best practices from real industry projects and the collective knowledge of our community. We show you how to avoid typical mistakes with the right technology stack – from data acquisition to AI evaluation – and how to set up your IIoT project economically and future-proof.
Discover how leading companies from our network successfully structure their projects – modular, interoperable and data-secure.
Data acquisition forms the solid foundation of your IoT application. Whether machine, operating or sensor data - accurate and reliable data acquisition enables precise analyses and data-based decisions. Modern solutions capture data directly at the machine, standardized and in real time.
Reliable data transmission is essential for every IoT process. Choose between wired (e.g. Ethernet) and wireless technologies (e.g. 5G, LoRaWAN) based on your requirements in order to optimally combine stability and flexibility.
The efficient preparation and pre-processing of your raw data ensures that it can be used immediately. Whether edge computing or local pre-processing - reduce the amount of data and significantly improve the performance of your IoT systems.
Data standardization creates the basis for efficient, cross-manufacturer communication and consistent use of data throughout the entire life cycle. Whether through protocols such as OPC UA over MQTT for secure transmission or standardized product data and digital twins - your IIoT projects remain flexible, scalable and economical.
The convergence of production technology (OT) and information technology (IT) enables you to achieve a transparent data flow without media disruptions. This allows you to eliminate data silos, speed up decision-making and optimize your operational processes in the long term.
IoT platforms form the central nervous system of your digital infrastructure. As PaaS or SaaS solutions - for example in the form of customer portals for manufacturers - they store, visualize and manage IoT data. As a result, you always have a comprehensive overview of your processes and can make well-founded, data-based decisions.
Protecting sensitive industrial and process data is a top priority. Modern security concepts ensure that your data is transmitted and stored in encrypted form and that your systems always comply with current regulatory requirements.
Efficient management of networked IoT devices is a key component of successful digitalization strategies. From commissioning and updates to decommissioning - structured device management reduces operating costs and significantly increases the security of your IoT infrastructure.
Visualized data enables faster and more precise decisions in your company. Modern dashboards and graphical presentations transform complex data streams into clear, real-time displays and create transparency at all levels of the company.
The systematic analysis of your IoT data uncovers hidden correlations and identifies optimization potential in your processes. From descriptive statistics to complex analysis procedures - gain valuable insights from your operational data for well-founded business decisions.
Data analysis is the basis for data-driven IIoT applications - from process optimization to AI-supported predictions. While traditional evaluations work with fixed rules, AI algorithms independently recognize patterns and anomalies - for predictive maintenance or quality forecasts, for example. Both approaches complement each other and optimize the potential of your IoT data.
Industry-specific IoT applications address concrete challenges with preconfigured functionalities. From production optimization to asset tracking — these specialized solutions offer rapid time-to-value and can be flexibly adapted to individual requirements.
Security measures must be proven to be practical at each site for many companies in our network, not just technically, but also organizationally and in terms of compliance. This is especially important for critical infrastructure, mechanical engineering and energy.
In highly automated production environments with many legacy systems, security must seamlessly integrate into existing OT structures. The aim is to avoid disrupting ongoing processes. This can be achieved through segmentation, reliable update mechanisms, and anomaly detection. This is particularly relevant in retrofit scenarios and international plant operations.
For mobile units, it is also important to secure dynamic environments: distributed warehouses, mobile control units, and cloud-based systems. In logistics, security is not centralized but dynamic. Here, security must be easy to integrate, remotely controllable, and highly available, especially in international network operations.
Compliance and resilience for essential networks. Electricity, water and gas providers face regulatory pressure (NIS2, BSI-KritisV, CRA). IIoT security here must be documentable, scalable and auditable—with a focus on system availability, certificate management and tamper-proof communication.
Roll out secure products worldwide without on-site effort. Machines and systems are operated worldwide. It must therefore be possible to control updates, certificates and security functions remotely. The key to predictable service costs, lifecycle processes, and time-to-market lies in automatable security architectures.
Deploy secure products worldwide—without on-site effort. Machines and systems are operated worldwide—updates, certificates or security features need to be managed remotely. Automated security architectures are key for predictable service costs, lifecycle processes and time-to-market.
Cyber resilience for smart building technology
HVAC, access controls, lighting, medical technology – modern buildings are digital systems. IIoT security must therefore have a comprehensive effect, for example in emergency call tracking or energy management. Especially in critical buildings such as hospitals or airports, reliable and scalable security is indispensable.
Our community brings together industry experts who have already implemented successful IIoT projects – openly, practically and on an equal footing. Gain insights into how other companies have solved challenges, share your use cases and discover new ideas and concrete solutions for your business.
Every innovation starts with an idea. Discover proven use cases that support your digital transformation — from predictive maintenance to worker safety.
Real-time monitoring of machine and sensor data to reduce downtime.
Data-driven maintenance to detect failures early and cut costs.
Seamless tracking of assets and material flows in production and logistics.
Automated collection and management of production and operational data.
You want to know how to secure your OT networks, meet NIS2 requirements, or minimize attack surfaces.
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