Siemens launched SINEC Secure Connect, the first zero trust security platform designed specifically for operational technology (OT) networks. The software solution virtualizes network structures using overlay networks. It enables Machine-to-Machine, Machine-toCloud, and Machine-to-Datacenter connections, plus secure remote access to industrial systems – all without traditional VPNs. Shop floor devices using SINEC Secure Connect remain protected from unauthorized external access while maintaining the necessary operational connectivity.
Addressing critical OT security challenges
The launch comes just as the global OT security market is projected to exceed $50 billion by 2030, according to industry reports, driven by the increasing digitalization of manufacturing and rising cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure and production environments. Industrial operators are facing mounting pressure not just from security threats but also from the administrative complexity of current solutions. “Traditional network security approaches struggle with the convergence of IT and OT systems, creating vulnerabilities when industrial systems connect to cloud services, remote access points, and external partner networks,” says Michael Metzler, Vice President of Horizontal Management Cybersecurity for Digital Industries at Siemens.
SINEC Secure Connect addresses these interconnection challenges with an innovative zero trust architecture that creates a secure virtual overlay network above existing the OT infrastructure. The platform establishes end-to-end encrypted, identity-verified connections between authorized devices while protecting industrial systems from unauthorized external access. Unlike traditional VPN approaches that create broad network access, SINEC Secure Connect implements granular, policy-based controls that prevent lateral movement, while reducing the administrative complexity of IP-based machine management and enabling cost-efficient compliance with IEC 62443 cybersecurity standards.
Deployments supported in any network environment
The platform's architecture enables flexible deployment options, including onpremises, cloud, and hybrid configurations. Its built-in redundancy makes it suitable for high-availability industrial environments, regardless of existing infrastructure constraints. Unlike complex firewall-based approaches, its deployment flexibility is enhanced by simplified network administration that requires only outbound connections, eliminating the error-prone configuration management associated with traditional OT security solutions.
SINEC Secure Connect is specifically designed for process and discrete manufacturing industries, solution partners, IT service providers, and operators of critical infrastructure who require the highest levels of security and operational reliability.
