OT Network Gateway for Secure Application-Layer Protocol Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of operational technology (OT) systems into IT networks poses security challenges due to incompatibilities, vulnerabilities, and increased cyber attack risks, with existing solutions like firewalls and converters providing insufficient security and flexibility for secure communication.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that decodes and examines data at the application layer to ensure secure communication between OT and IT networks by extracting and analyzing information pieces, generating output messages based on examination results, and supporting different protocols and fieldbus systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If OT systems are integrated into IT networks to enable remote monitoring and control, then automation and connectivity are improved, but security vulnerabilities and cyber attack risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway device as an intermediary component between IT and OT networks. This gateway performs protocol conversion and data translation while maintaining security boundaries, allowing connectivity benefits without direct exposure of OT systems to IT network vulnerabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network architecture into distinct IT and OT zones with a gateway in between. This segmentation isolates vulnerable OT systems from direct IT network connections, reducing cyber attack surface while maintaining necessary connectivity through controlled data exchange
2Reliability
If proprietary protocols are used in OT systems for isolated operation, then system compatibility is maintained, but communication capability in heterogeneous networks is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device provides universal protocol conversion capabilities, supporting multiple proprietary OT protocols and standard IT protocols simultaneously. This multi-functionality enables communication between diverse systems while maintaining the reliability of original proprietary protocol operations
3Adaptability or versatility
If converters are used to translate protocols between networks, then communication capability is improved, but security against cyber attacks is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway serves as a secure intermediary that performs protocol conversion with built-in security functions. Unlike simple converters, the gateway validates data, filters malicious traffic, and maintains security policies while enabling protocol translation, thus improving communication without compromising security
4Object-affected harmful factors
If firewall systems are used to segment networks and restrict communication, then security is improved, but communication flexibility and protocol support are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway acts as a mediating device that combines firewall security functions with protocol conversion capabilities. This allows the system to maintain security boundaries like a firewall while simultaneously providing flexible protocol support and data translation that pure firewall systems cannot offer
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus configured to receive an input message via the first interface. The input message having a first layer structure and containing an information piece associated with the top layer of the first layer structure, extracting the information piece from the input message by passing the input message through a protocol stack associated with the first layer structure from bottom to top, examining the extracted information piece to obtain an examination result, generating an output message by passing the extracted information piece or an information piece generated on the basis of the extracted information piece through a protocol 10 stack associated with a second layer structure from top to bottom, and sending the output message via the second interface. The generating and/or the sending of the output message are performed as a function of the examination result.