Cybersecurity

OT security for energy utilities

Proactively secure grid and distribution networks

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Protect decentralized energy infrastructure from unauthorized access

Utility digitalization and the decentralization present new challenges for energy providers, municipal utilities and regulatory authorities. Seamless supply security for electricity, gas and district heating providers means the actual generation and distribution facilities (Operational Technology / OT) must be shielded from unauthorized access. Stable, fail-safe, and legally compliant operation is the foundation for both protecting the integrity of supply networks and meeting the stringent NIS 2 Directive requirements.

As an integral component of critical infrastructure, energy companies need security solutions that preserve business continuity and proactively minimize cyber risks. Effective protection demands a clear separation between IT and OT, as well as seamless transitions at network boundaries. Our regulatory-based IT architecture for critical infrastructure and OT networks serves as a technical framework for appropriate security measures that do not disrupt ongoing operations.

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Focus on energy supply: signal and network control

Targeted protection of control and communication signals is elementary for energy providers. Rohde & Schwarz Networks and Cybersecurity (formerly LANCOM Systems) provides secure and reliable IT-networks for critical infrastructure. By monitoring data traffic and isolating critical components, signals are protected and risks are controlled before they can impact core operations.

Learn how to protect your network from cyberattacks.

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The IT networks portfolio for critical infrastructure

The Rohde & Schwarz portfolio offers coordinated security building blocks that interface directly with decentralized generation and distribution facilities for comprehensive protection. The goal is resilient operations where critical OT functions and utility services are fully maintained, even in the event of external network disruptions. The technical implementation is based on the reference architecture:

Zones and conduits concept

Consistent structuring of the network into clearly defined security zones and communication pathways (conduits). Data flows between administrative IT and productive OT exclusively via hardened firewalls and gateways in accordance with the least privilege principle. Every user and system in the network receives only the minimum access rights strictly needed for a specific task, while all other data is blocked by default.

Secure edge computing in decentralized stations

Sensitive data is processed directly on-site at the network edge via high-performance firewalls. Isolated software containers make it possible to run specialized applications flexibly and directly within remote substations, without the need for additional server hardware.

Secured building automation

Integration of IP-based networks for building management systems and utilities into an overarching security concept prevents secondary systems from being used as an entry point for attacks on primary control systems.

Managing security incidents

Should irregularities occur within a utility network, clear procedures prevent interruptions to ongoing operations. Our IT-Security ecosystem permanently controls the three central processes in the network as a digital gatekeeper: who can access the system (access), which data flows between facilities (data flows), and who modifies system settings (changes). Continuous monitoring means any unauthorized deviation is immediately detected and blocked.

Securing data flows

Personnel in network control centers word to make sure ongoing network operations remain stable. The security architecture helps them monitor data flows. Since the system explicitly defines which facility is permitted to communicate with which components, unauthorized or undocumented direct connections can be blocked automatically with network access controls (NAC). If an irregularity occurs, operators must not shut down the entire supply network. The subdivision into protected security zones lets them maintain controlled energy flows and selectively isolate affected segments.

Monitoring the IT-network and identifying anomalies

Security management is responsible for IT network integrity and regulatory compliance. Our IT-security ecosystem can integrate security information and event management (from Enginsight). Should an unauthorized modification or anomaly be found in the IT-network, the team can use verified event logs forwarded to a central monitoring system (SIEM), allowing security experts to initiate immediate, well-founded forensics and guide targeted countermeasures.

Core principles of our IT reference architecture for critical infrastructures

The design of our IT reference architecture is based on five fundamental principles:

  • 1. Strict IT network segmentation: OT zones are completely isolated from the corporate IT environment and communicate only through defined and controlled transition points.
  • 2. Defense in depth: Multiple layers of security—including perimeter firewalls, OT segment firewalls, and encrypted VPN tunnels—protect the infrastructure against unauthorized access.
  • 3. Centralized management and visibility: The R&S LANCOM Management Cloud and the SIEM application provide comprehensive visibility and centralized control of all network components.
  • 4. Scalability: The zone-based architecture enables the flexible integration of new sites or security technology segments without requiring changes to the underlying IT reference architecture.
  • 5. Coexistence with customer IT: Defined transition points (DMZ/NAT) enable the controlled use of IT services such as Active Directory, DNS, and PKI without compromising the isolation of the OT environment.

BSI and NIS 2 compliance: operational benefits for energy providers with Rohde & Schwarz

Rohde & Schwarz security architecture not only protects facilities but also provides long-term operational, economic and legal benefits for energy providers in their daily operations.

  • Audit capable logging: All access, data flows and security-relevant events are logged so that they can audited and evaluated in one spot in compliance with strict BSI requirements for full auditability during inspections.
  • Sovereign protection against data manipulation: Encrypted communication pathways and secure protocols ensure control data confidentiality and integrity, minimizing the risk of sabotage in the civil sector.
  • Reduced network load and latency: Data preprocessing and filtering directly at the edge massively reduces central network traffic. Time-critical generation and distribution processes benefit from fast, real-time responses.
  • Economic stability: Clear approval processes and error-free session monitoring during maintenance work prevent unplanned interruptions to operations. Utility companies must no longer worry about liability claims, remediation costs and reputational damage.
  • European sovereign solution: The architecture is developed and operated under strict European regulations for complete data sovereignty and full compliance with European cybersecurity mandates.
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