Securing the Future of Industrial Operations: How Smart RTUs Are Changing the Game

Cybersecurity remains one of the most pressing challenges in industrial operations, but the biggest risk isn’t just external threats—it’s how companies manage and control access to critical infrastructure. James Redmond, Global Offer Manager for SCADA & Telemetry at Schneider Electric, discusses how new smart RTU solutions are transforming security, efficiency, and scalability in industrial environments.

Bringing IT-Level Security to OT Networks 

One of the biggest challenges in securing industrial networks is bridging the gap between IT and OT. Schneider Electric’s latest SCADAPack RTU software update integrates IT security solutions like Active Directory, Syslog, CyberArk, and SolarWinds directly into OT environments. This allows industrial organizations to leverage their existing security infrastructure and training without requiring extensive additional investment.

Role-Based Access Control: Reducing Human Error and Security Risks 

Human error remains a leading cause of cybersecurity breaches. Managing credentials on industrial RTUs is time-consuming and requires manual updates for each device. Redmond explains how Schneider Electric’s new role-based access control (RBAC) model streamlines this process by linking OT authentication to Active Directory. Instead of updating credentials device by device, administrators can remove or adjust access with just a few clicks, reducing errors and improving security compliance.

Simplifying Security Compliance with IEC 62443 

With IEC 62443 becoming the industry standard for OT security, industrial companies must continuously improve their cybersecurity posture. Schneider Electric’s SCADAPack RTU solutions are designed to align with these evolving standards, making it easier for organizations to meet regulatory requirements and withstand penetration testing. By integrating privileged access management tools, the solution helps ensure compliance while maintaining seamless operations.

Enhancing Operational Efficiency Through Automation 

Many industrial facilities operate in remote, resource-constrained environments where efficiency is critical. Redmond highlights how smart RTUs equipped with Linux processing and Docker support allow companies to run data analytics at the edge, reducing bandwidth consumption and optimizing data transmission. By leveraging Python, C, and Node-RED, operators can develop custom applications to further streamline workflows and improve responsiveness.

A Future Built on Secure, Scalable Industrial Networks