Cisco introduces new IoT-specific Security Portfolio and Digital Solutions

Cisco is introducing four new digital solutions for industries – manufacturing, transportation, utilities, and oil and gas.  The solutions aim to help customers connect machines and assets, break through information silos, and digitize data in an integrated way across the business. Additionally, Cisco is announcing a new, industrial Internet of Things (IoT) security solution.  Customers will use the Cisco IoT System Security and professional services from Cisco and partners to mitigate the risk of system disruption – and efficiently assure compliance.

To remain competitive, industries like manufacturing, utilities, oil and gas, and transportation need to increase productivity, deliver more value, and create better experiences for customers and end users. Some of the greatest obstacles to efficiency are operational silos. Silos separate people, machines, systems, information, and complete areas of a business; they separate information from operational technology. Breaking through silos with a more holistic and connected architecture connects people, streamlines communication and drives a more agile operation.

Said Tony Shakib, VP, IoE Vertical Solutions Group, Cisco: “Digitization is transforming virtually every industry. Cisco offers unmatched depth and breadth of security, connectivity, and system visibility end to end. And we do it in partnership with other leading companies our customers work with. Our proven industry-specific architectures and technologies give industry customers the edge they need to connect their machines and assets, become more agile—and compete and win in a world of new opportunities.”

The Four New Digital Solutions for Industries and IoT System Security Portfolio:

• Connected Machines for Digital Manufacturing: A connected architecture that redefines secure, efficient, and visible operations. This solution enables rapid, standards-based, repeatable machine connectivity, and global factory integration while enabling OEM digitization and new business models – including highly secure remote access, monitoring and serviceability of machines.  Today, FANUC America and Cisco announced that they intend to implement the solution to enable robot connectivity and analytics for proactive maintenance. At an event in San Jose, high-tech manufacturer Flex outlined how it is already using the Connected Machines solution and FANUC Robots to drive efficiency and quality in its operations.  Cisco is also today announcing a series of attractively priced solution bundles to simplify and accelerate infrastructure digitization for customers for the Factory Network, Factory Wireless and Factory Security.
• Smart Connected Pipeline for Digital Oil and Gas: A connected, highly secure architecture that allows oil and gas companies more control over their pipelines, helping to protect assets from accidents or cyber-attacks. Operations are safer, more efficient – and more secure.  Schneider Electric and Cisco are collaborating to bring the Smart Connected Pipeline solution to market, and are already working with customers such as Italian multinational oil and gas company, ENI.
• Substation Security for Digital Utilities: A connected and timely architecture that enables highly-secure power grids for reliable, more efficient service across the utilities industry. Now, more than ever, the nation’s power grid needs additional layers of safety and security. Utility companies in North America must comply with the North American Electric Reliability Corporation Critical Infrastructure Protection (NERC/CIP) Version 5 mandated standards. South Carolina utility SCANA will be the first to deploy Cisco’s Substation Security Solution – a solution designed to enable utilities to comply with these regulations.
• Connected Mass Transit for Digital Transportation: A connected architecture that will enable the delivery of greater safety, mobility – and a better passenger experience.  Through a converged network architecture that is based on the Cisco IoT System, transit systems can enhance automation, collaboration, video, cloud-to-fog agility and business intelligence. From the management control center to the transit station – onto the roads, the rails, and onboard mass transit vehicles themselves – the Cisco solution puts safety and security first.  Situated on the River Danube, the Austrian City of Linz is implementing the solution to streamline operations across its tram network.
• IoT System Security: The IoT System Security product-portfolio helps deliver highly secure connectivity, visibility and control to assure that IoT initiatives deliver competitive advantage for customers across all verticals. The Cisco IoT System Security product portfolio includes IoT-specific security with the introduction of a new, dedicated security appliance (ISA-3000 for application visibility, policy enforcement and threat defense) and a Fog Data Services security solution.  With today’s announcement, the IoT network can now act as a sensor and enforcer to provide security policy enforcement within router and switches. It also provides solutions for IoT physical security with video surveillance cameras, physical access control, and video surveillance manager with advanced security analytics. Cisco will continue to expand its IoT System security offering through additional developments and collaboration with key ecosystem partners, including Rockwell Automation.

Added Vikas Butaney, Senior Director of Product Management, IoT Systems and Software Group, Cisco: “With the six pillars of Cisco IoT System we simplified and helped our customers derive value from digitization across industries: manufacturing, utilities, smart cities, and other industries. As digitization is accelerating rapidly through the adoption of IoT, securing physical assets and data is a major concern for our customers. We are taking a comprehensive systems approach to IoT security with three main elements: OT specific security, network based security and physical security.”