OT cybersecurity architecture, secure by design
A defensible OT security architecture is built, not bolted on. Synapse lets you model the whole site, apply a zone-and-conduit design, and prove it meets IEC 62443 — at design time, when changes are still cheap.
Architecture as a structured, checkable model
Most OT architectures live in Visio and a spreadsheet, so they drift the moment the site changes. Synapse treats assets, flows, zones and conduits as first-class data — a living model that powers the segmentation checks, the compliance report and the as-designed record from one source.
- DMZ, firewalls, secure remote access and authentication as modelled controls
- Defence in depth expressed as zones, conduits and target security levels (SL-T)
- Deterministic checks that re-run any time with identical results
Catch the gaps before commissioning
Cross-zone flows with no conduit, a missing DMZ, a flat network that spans security zones, an unassigned SL-T — Synapse surfaces these inline as you design, then generates the prioritised gap list and the zone/conduit diagram your asset owner signs off.
Frequently asked questions
What is an OT cybersecurity architecture?+
It is the structured design of an operational-technology network's security: how assets are grouped into zones, how those zones communicate through controlled conduits, and what security level each must meet. A good architecture makes the segmentation, trust boundaries and controls explicit and auditable.
How is OT security architecture different from IT?+
OT prioritises availability and safety over confidentiality, runs long-lived devices that can't always be patched, and carries deterministic real-time protocols (IEC 61850 GOOSE, DNP3, Modbus). Architecture leans on segmentation, conduits and compensating controls rather than constant patching.
How does secure-by-design reduce cost?+
Fixing a segmentation flaw in the design is far cheaper than re-architecting a commissioned plant. Validating the architecture against IEC 62443 before build removes rework, change orders and audit findings later.
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