1. Version control is not required; our production plant has been operating well for years without this kind of software assistance.

You can never be certain that the software version managing your facility matches your most current shared version without contemporary version control and synchronized upload, download, and comparison processes. You'll also be operating your production largely in the dark without a comparison of the online (production facility) and offline (server) statuses or a detailed (graphical) representation of various versions!For this very reason, modern version control systems provide a secure backup method. They even function on other sites. You can also synchronize backup data from distributed production facilities through a central storage site, allowing you to compare changes between versions.

2. Version control system implementation is costly and hazardous.

The era of enormous servers and protracted software implementation is over. A version control system may now be set up with relatively little effort thanks to modern software; it can even be run directly from a USB stick. A central server and any number of installed clients are all that are required. Users can work offline and check in updated versions at a later time thanks to the server-client architecture. Additionally, the intelligent user management (automatic synchronization via Active Directory) guards against unauthorized access and automatically records who made what modifications when.

3. The main purpose of a version control system is to streamline the current workforce.

Qualified workers continue to be a crucial and essential resource, even in highly automated production operations. Auxiliary software programs can never be more clever than their users and programmers. The correct and diligent maintenance of data is especially important in the field of data management. The goal is to automate as many time-consuming and low-skill processes as possible, including manual backups, comparisons, and the tiresome search for data storage media and backup sites. This frees up personnel, particularly their expertise, to work on challenging, worthwhile, and forward-thinking projects in its place.

4. Our present version control method is effective; adding software would only require more training.

An in-depth (version) comparison of the control programs that are synchronized on the server is not possible with a basic comparison of file sizes and dates, which is not the same as effective version control. Not to mention the capability of distinctly identifying and marking the most recent release version. The project planning software and editors needed by non-homogeneous automation plants must be maintained and programmed by production and maintenance teams that are constantly expanding. The only way to lessen this specific burden is using software-based solutions. Leading version control solutions support you with a menu-driven lesson and automated backups while integrating your tried-and-true editors and project structures. As a result, there is little training required and the system is very usable.

5. It is necessary to have a uniform automation environment.

The makers of individual controllers also provide version management services. However, because they only support the manufacturer's own equipment, these solutions are essentially only useful in homogeneous manufacturing environments. But is there indeed such a thing in modern times?

Production facilities are becoming more complex as a result of the expanding automation market and the multiplicity of suppliers and manufacturers. Because of this, manufacturing plants now house a diverse range of industrial robots, field devices, control software, drive systems, programming languages, and file formats.

You are not reliant on a single manufacturer with a future-proof version control system. The version control system also continually adapts to the newest device versions so the user always has the necessary comparators in addition to supporting the most popular automation systems.

6. Only when there are no external suppliers involved can version control be made to function properly.

Today, it is challenging to envision a working environment without ideas like lean production and lean maintenance. Given the emphasis on boosting productivity and efficiency, it is generally uncommon for you to deal with absolutely no outside suppliers and service providers.The ability of a version control system to track, monitor, compare, and check changes made to control devices by system integrators and OEMs is therefore essential.When engaging with outside service providers in particular, the "why" question is also of utmost relevance. Only after the justifications for changes have been recorded are complete validation and traceability possible.

7. Version control and backup are analogous to apples and oranges.

It is crucial to remember that backups are not a replacement for version control, and that version control is even less of a replacement for backups. They are two distinct tools that perform best when used in tandem and guarantee that the necessary data is always accessible.

Version control and centralized backups can't completely guarantee the security of consistent data on their own. The regular (automatic) comparison of software versions is the only way to determine whether the centrally stored projects genuinely match the productive programs (offline-online-status). You can monitor changes this way and appropriately analyze them. On the other hand, automatically producing a backup data version serves no purpose.

In the end, not all backups are created equal. You will require a restorable backup of the most recent version for quick disaster recovery. This requires that symbols and comments be uploaded as well. In order to maximize plant and data availability, you should take into account the type and quality of data backups performed by an automated data management system.

Gaining a clear understanding of how to focus your time and energy continues to become cumbersome. With the everchanging landscape of technology, staying competitive is already complex enough. Now add Cybersecurity to the mix and things get even more convoluted.

Recently, AutomaTech and Nozomi Networks hosted a webinar on how to navigate the complex Log4Shell vulnerability. During the webinar, the audience was asked a series of questions designed to better understand three main elements of an organization’s cyber strategy within IT/OT/ and IoT: organizational readiness, technology adoption, and technology expertise. This post is designed to help ignite the conversation around where you may be in your own cyber journey and how to further evolve.

Step 1: Create a baseline of what strategy is in place

Like all journeys, you need to know where to start and where you are heading. Take a moment here to define what you want the end result to be, do not focus on the details yet.

For example, “We want to know what we have and be able to protect from outside attacks. We would also like to know where to focus without having to redo everything”

· It's imperative to know what the strategy is on a local level

· Must understand how local strategy fits into larger scope

Step 2: Make note of all inefficiencies in both strategy and process

Now that you have an idea of where you want to get to; how far away is it from where you are now? You may need a “map” to figure it out. The NIST framework is a very good starting point. The NIST ICS framework breaks things down into 5 actionable categories.

1. Identify

2. Protect

3. Detect

4. Respond

5. Recover

Back to the beginning Step 1 (Identify)

Where are gaps in the solution?

Look at each step and evaluate what you have in place and what is missing or needs improvement

Step 3: Create a mind map of all tools and systems related to your strategy

Having a mind map helps you understand where systems communicate and where they don't

Building on your initial framework, you can start understanding where key processes and tools falls within the framework. Going through this exercise with your internal teams will start to shine light on gaps in processes and any overlap that exists. The outcome is a deeper understanding of your own eco-system.

Don’t get caught up on how to facilitate a mind map, what’s more critical is ensuring you have the right people in the room and are able to open the conversation around the framework that works best for you. Allocating the right amount of time can help break barriers of understanding and help begin putting the pieces of your eco-system together.

Create an inventory of software and work with vendors to understand the impact of log4shell

To better understand what applications are impacted by Log4Shell an inventory is critical to cross reference any affected applications and systems provided by the vendors. At this point, most if not all vendors have provided clear indication of the impact of the Log4Shell vulnerability. Outside, of just log4shell, the best practice is to gain visibility into what exists. There are several tools that automate visibility, but if they are adopted too early, the tools will only add to the complexity and will not give you a clear picture of the eco-system.

This is typically where gaps can be uncovered between teams and infrastructures. Some people have certain context, and if the right cross-functional team is developed, it could speed up the process and ensure everyone has a better handle on all things inventory. Then automation can be valuable. Having 24/7/365 inventory will help continue the evolution of internal processes and understanding of what steps need to be taken to remedy any gaps.

Step 4: Determine which systems overlap and where and fill gaps

Some systems will overlap but cannot be replaced because of how critical they are. It's key to understand these systems and how to ensure you're maximizing value from them.

Once a mind map is developed, a key framework is adopted, and inventory is constructed, you can begin looking into dependencies, inefficiencies, and gaps. This is where the real magic can happen. Typically, overlaps will exist and sometimes, tools that have become the status quo can be deemed redundant with no added value. The goal, once again, is to create the conversations and understanding of the architecture, communication paths, and features that each system fulfills. Don’t be shy to include one or many vendors in these calls to drive alignment your adopted framework.

Organizations typically believe one system will solve all their problems, but reality shows that no “one size fits all” exists and every set of requirements is different.

This is a key item to note. There is no “one size fits all” or “system that does everything.” If a vendor suggests this, their solution has several features that probably only go surface deep. In certain circumstances this may be sufficient, but the key is to understand your needs and your strategy. Vendors can help educate and guide, but most do not extend this, even while charging. If certain vendors are willing to go that extra mile and learn about your environment to help devise a strong scalable eco-system in a collaborative way, then the vendor is probably looking more like a partner to scale with.

Step 5: Setup consistent evaluation of evolving strategy

What happens next when a strategy has been adopted?

Once a well-defined strategy is adopted by the many teams involved, the work doesn’t stop there. You must consider that the cyber landscape is ever-changing and will require tweaks throughout. The

number one idea is to have a strong foundation where small incremental changes will not seem daunting. There must be a continuous cadence to evaluate the strategy as time goes on.

Step 6: Ensure training is available to key players

With new systems in place, you want to ensure that the right daily users are maximizing the value within your org.

If your org continues to depend on your vendors for any changes within their tools, then you become too dependent. The real sweet spot is when there is a strong understanding of the joint strategy and the needs of your facilities / networks, then working with vendors that will help guide and enable your team to solve problems, create strategies, and evolve processes. The key to this is to take advantage of any readily available trainings and clearly designate roles and ownership of different components within your cyber strategy. Internal experts will help bridge the gap along with the necessary services from your vendors.

We all continuously hear about the cyber journey and its large impacts on our organizations. People adopt technologies rapidly and hope to build strategies and processes around tools and technologies. In this ever-changing landscape you do not want to be Pidgeon-holed by a tool, but rather you want to ensure the partners you choose will continuously enable your strategy and help fill the gaps of the frameworks you adopt. It’s a long-term play where cultural changes will occur, and the goal will be to have the tools at your disposal for everyone in your organization to be well-equipped to contribute as their roles define.

Contact us at solutions@secure279.inmotionhosting.com if you would like to review your specific use case with a Solution Architect.