OT Network Gateway for Secure Protocol Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of Operational Technology (OT) systems into IT network infrastructures poses challenges such as system incompatibilities, increased cyber attack risks, and limitations in updating or configuring OT systems, which can compromise the security and reliability of industrial and production systems.
Innovation Solution
A procedure, device, and system that enable secure and reliable communication between separate communication networks by breaking down data units, performing access control checks, and generating output messages in a communication protocol suitable for the target network, thereby ensuring asynchronous and secure data exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If OT systems are integrated into IT network infrastructures to enable remote monitoring and control, then automation and connectivity are improved, but system vulnerability to cyberattacks and protocol incompatibilities 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, enabling communication between heterogeneous systems while maintaining security boundaries. The gateway acts as a trusted mediator that prevents direct exposure of OT systems to IT network threats while facilitating controlled data exchange.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network architecture into distinct IT and OT network zones, with the gateway serving as a controlled interface between them. This segmentation isolates vulnerable OT systems from direct Internet exposure while allowing selective data exchange. The gateway creates logical separation that maintains security boundaries while enabling necessary connectivity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If converters are used to translate protocols between different IT and OT systems, then communication compatibility is improved, but security against cyberattacks is only limitedly enhanced
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway serves as a secure intermediary that not only performs protocol conversion but also implements security functions. It translates protocols between IT and OT systems while simultaneously validating data integrity, filtering malicious content, and controlling access. This dual function of conversion and security enforcement addresses the limitation of conventional converters.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway performs preliminary security checks and data validation before translating and forwarding messages between networks. It pre-processes incoming data to remove or neutralize potential threats before the data reaches the target system, preventing cyberattacks rather than merely detecting them after conversion.
3Reliability
If firewall systems are used to restrict communication to necessary protocols, then security is improved, but effectiveness against sophisticated cyberattacks is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway acts as an intelligent intermediary that goes beyond simple firewall filtering. It performs deep packet inspection, protocol validation, and contextual analysis of data exchanges between IT and OT networks. This intermediary function provides multi-layered security that is more effective against sophisticated attacks while maintaining necessary communication flows.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway dynamically adjusts security parameters and filtering rules based on the specific protocol requirements and threat levels detected in real-time communication. It changes security enforcement parameters adaptively rather than using static firewall rules, improving effectiveness against evolving cyberattacks while maintaining protocol compatibility.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b~2c
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (200, 300, 406) configured to carry out the following: receive an inbound message (101) via the first interface (104, 202, 302), wherein the inbound message (101) has a first layer structure (103) and contains an information unit (105) assigned to the top-most layer of the first layer structure (103); extract the information unit (105) from the inbound message (101) by letting the inbound message (101) run through, from bottom to top, a protocol stack (107) assigned to the first layer structure (103); check the extracted information unit (105) to obtain a check result; generate an outbound message (114) by letting the extracted information unit (105, 115), or an information unit (115) generated on the basis of the extracted information unit, run through, from top to bottom, a protocol stack assigned to a second layer structure (113); and send the outbound message (114) via the second interface (118, 204, 306), wherein the generating and/or sending of the outbound message (114) is carried out dependent on the check result.