Firewall architectures
Cybersecurity, Firewalls & Secure Networking
Secure networks for IT and OT environments
In a world where OT and IT are increasingly interconnected, network security is not a luxury but a fundamental requirement. Cloud, production environments, remote working and industrial automation each bring new risks.
Cyber incidents affect not only IT systems but can also disrupt the operational continuity of production processes. That is why a well-designed security architecture is essential for every modern organisation.
4net helps organisations design and manage secure network architectures with solutions from Fortinet, Cisco and Splunk.
Cybersecurity starts with good network design
A firewall alone does not fully protect your network. To truly secure your OT/IT environment, you need a well-designed network architecture in which segmentation, controlled access, monitoring and secure connectivity work together.
We support you with, among other things:
Secure remote access
VPN solutions
Segmentation between IT and OT networks
Secure SD-WAN
Monitoring, logging and analysis
Network audits and security assessments
Security of industrial networks
Secure connectivity between sites, cloud environments and external users
Are you unsure whether your network is sufficiently protected?
From firewall architectures and secure access to IT/OT segmentation and monitoring: we are happy to think along with you.
Cybersecurity for industrial networks
Industrial networks require a different approach than classic IT networks. In OT environments, it is not only about data security, but also about availability, safety and continuity of processes.
Production lines, PLCs, SCADA systems, machines and industrial communication systems cannot simply be interrupted or modified.
That is why 4net approaches cybersecurity from the reality of industry.
We help with:
- Segmentation between IT and OT
- Secure access for suppliers and maintenance partners
- Insight into industrial network communication
- Limiting lateral movement within the network
- Protection of production environments
- Monitoring of critical network components
- Support with NIS2-related network measures
- Architecture advice for secure OT connectivity
Trusted technology for critical networks
Cybersecurity requires more than good intentions. Organisations need to be able to trust solutions that are deployed worldwide in business environments, industrial networks and critical infrastructure.
That is why 4net works with carefully selected technology partners that excel in network security, secure networking, monitoring and threat detection.
Below you will find a selection of the technologies with which we support organisations every day in protecting their networks and business processes.
Fortinet Secure Networking & Cybersecurity
Fortinet offers an integrated security platform that brings together firewalling, network security, management, logging and secure connectivity.
At 4net, we deploy Fortinet solutions for organisations that need high-performance firewalls, secure connections, central management and better visibility into their network traffic.
Solutions
- FortiGate Next-Generation Firewalls
For firewalling, VPN, application control, intrusion prevention, web filtering and secure SD-WAN. - FortiManager
For central management of Fortinet environments, configurations, policies and updates. - FortiAnalyzer
For logging, reporting, analysis and insight into network and security events. - FortiWiFi & Secure Wireless
For secure wireless connectivity in smaller environments, sites or specific applications. - Secure SD-WAN
For secure, high-performance connections between multiple locations, cloud applications and users.
Cisco Security & Secure Networking
Cisco combines strong network expertise with a comprehensive cybersecurity portfolio for business networks, industrial environments and critical infrastructure.
For organisations already working with Cisco network technology, or looking to integrate IT and OT networks more closely, Cisco offers powerful solutions for firewalls, secure access, segmentation, OT visibility and threat detection.
Solutions
- Cisco Secure Firewalls
For advanced firewalling, threat protection and secure network segmentation. - Cisco Secure Access & Zero Trust
For secure access to applications, users and resources, regardless of location or device. - Cisco Secure SD-WAN
For secure, high-performance connectivity between sites, cloud environments and remote users. - Cisco Cyber Vision
For visibility in OT networks, industrial assets, communication patterns and potential risks. - Cisco Security Cloud
For a broader security approach in which various Cisco security solutions work together in an integrated way.
Splunk Security Analytics & Visibility
Splunk strengthens cybersecurity by bringing together and making analysable data, logs and events from different systems. Where firewalls and security solutions provide protection, Splunk helps organisations better understand what is happening: which events are relevant, where deviations arise, which incidents require attention and where risks lie.
Splunk can be used for:
- Security Information & Event Management
- Log management
- Compliance reporting
- Security Operations Centers
- Detection of cyber threats
- Investigation of security incidents
- Monitoring of IT and OT environments
- Dashboards and reporting
For organisations with complex networks, multiple locations or critical processes, Splunk can help gain insight faster and respond more effectively.
Splunk is now part of Cisco and forms an important building block within Cisco's vision on observability, security analytics and AI-driven threat detection.
Thanks to the combination of Cisco Security and Splunk, organisations gain not only protection but also deep insight into events, deviations and cyber risks.
Typical cybersecurity challenges
Do you recognise one of these situations?
Many organisations face the same questions. From secure external access and segmentation between IT and OT to greater visibility into network traffic and NIS2 preparation. Below you will find some situations in which 4net supports organisations every day.
Situation
How 4net helps
External suppliers need access to machines.Secure remote access and segmentation.
IT and OT are growing closer together.Architecture and network segmentation.
Insufficient visibility into network traffic.Monitoring, logging and analysis.
Connecting multiple sites.Secure SD-WAN.
Preparing for NIS2.Network audit and technical measures.
Detecting incidents faster.Splunk and security analytics.
Better protecting production environments.OT security and firewalling.
Managing complex environments centrally.Fortinet and Cisco platforms.
Our approach
Secure networks start with a thoughtful approach. At 4net we look beyond technology alone. We map risks, infrastructure and operational needs and translate them into a secure, manageable and future-proof network architecture.
From analysis and design to implementation, monitoring and support, we guide organisations through the entire journey.
Analysis and network audit
We map the existing network infrastructure, risks, connections and security requirements.
Architecture and advice
We translate the analysis into a secure and manageable network architecture tailored to your IT and OT environment.
Implementation
We support configuration, installation, segmentation, firewalling, secure access and integration with existing systems.
Monitoring and management
We help organisations maintain visibility into network traffic, security events, logs and potential incidents.
Support and optimisation
After implementation, 4net remains available for technical support, optimisations and further development of your security architecture.
NIS2 and network security
The NIS2 directive requires an increasing number of organisations to address cybersecurity structurally and take appropriate measures to protect their digital infrastructure. For industrial companies, logistics organisations, utilities, production environments and critical infrastructure, this means that network security, risk management, access control, monitoring and incident management are becoming increasingly important.
Specifically, NIS2 expects organisations to, among other things:
- Segmentation between IT and OT
- Secure access for suppliers and maintenance partners
- Insight into industrial network communication
- Limiting lateral movement within the network
- Protection of production environments
- Monitoring of critical network components
- Support with NIS2-related network measures
- Architecture advice for secure OT connectivity
A well-designed network plays a crucial role in this. Segmentation between IT and OT networks, secure external access, firewalling, monitoring, logging and network visibility often form the basis of an NIS2-compliant cybersecurity strategy.
4net helps organisations better map their network infrastructure, identify risks and implement concrete technical measures that contribute to a safer and more manageable network environment.
NIS2 is not a purely legal or administrative process. It starts with a technically strong network foundation on which organisations can build.
Who is it for?
Cybersecurity and secure networking are relevant today for every organisation that depends on a reliable, secure and continuously available network infrastructure.
Our solutions are deployed in environments where connectivity, operational continuity and security are crucial, from manufacturing companies and logistics centres to critical infrastructure and multisite organisations.
4net supports, among others:
Manufacturing companies
Logistics organisations
Utilities and energy companies
Critical infrastructure
Machine builders and OEMs
Datacenters
Governments and public organisations
Companies with multiple sites
Organisations with IT and OT networks
Installers and integrators seeking technical support
Frequently asked questions
A firewall controls and secures network traffic between different zones or networks. Secure networking goes further:
it also encompasses segmentation, secure access, monitoring, logging, SD-WAN, VPN, identity-based access, and management of the entire network architecture.
it also encompasses segmentation, secure access, monitoring, logging, SD-WAN, VPN, identity-based access, and management of the entire network architecture.
Segmentation ensures that IT and OT systems do not communicate with each other uncontrolled.
This limits risks, prevents lateral movement during incidents, and better protects critical production and control systems.
This limits risks, prevents lateral movement during incidents, and better protects critical production and control systems.
Secure remote access makes it possible for employees, suppliers, or maintenance partners to connect securely to systems or networks.
This happens through controlled access, authentication, logging, and clearly defined access rights.
This happens through controlled access, authentication, logging, and clearly defined access rights.
NIS2 raises expectations around cybersecurity, risk management, incident detection, and continuity.
For networks, this means, among other things, greater focus on segmentation, monitoring, logging, access management, and technical security measures.
For networks, this means, among other things, greater focus on segmentation, monitoring, logging, access management, and technical security measures.
Yes. Industrial networks are increasingly connected to IT systems, cloud platforms, and external parties.
As a result, the risk of cyber incidents increases. A secure OT network architecture helps better protect production processes, machines, and critical infrastructure.
As a result, the risk of cyber incidents increases. A secure OT network architecture helps better protect production processes, machines, and critical infrastructure.