Industrial IT Security through Remote Access and Crypto Modules by Sematicon

Protect your industrial networks with the highest security standards and effortlessly meet all compliance requirements. With NetDescribe and Sematicon.

Martin Barth | Sematicon expert at NetDescribe

The Challenge

One of the greatest challenges in OT (Operational Technology) is designing industrial networks to be secure, efficient, and compliant in order to maintain the operation of critical infrastructures and industrial environments.

Industrial companies face numerous obstacles

  • Critical access to the OT of production facilities (whether direct or via VPN) poses high security risks, as controllers and similar systems are not protected like IT devices (e.g., with endpoint security).
  • For KRITIS customers, such access to OT is often no longer legally compliant because all access must be fully auditable.
  • In many industrial environments, the use of firewalls and network segmentation is severely limited, as controllers need to operate across systems.
  • Due to the increasingly complex threat landscape and new regulatory requirements, investments in the security of industrial plants have become urgently necessary.
Sematicon Business Benefits

Industrial companies that use Sematicon solutions can expect a wide range of business benefits. The platform is designed to support and optimize industrial processes, particularly in the areas of knowledge management and workflow automation. Here are some of the key benefits:

1. Increased efficiency and automation

Sematicon enables the automation of complex, data-intensive processes. This allows industrial companies to reduce manual, error-prone tasks and significantly increase the efficiency of their operations. This means lower effort and faster processing times, and greater accuracy.

2. Improved knowledge management

The platform enables centralized management of knowledge and technical data. Information becomes easier to access and is used more effectively, leading to better decision-making and faster problem resolution — particularly valuable for the maintenance and operation of industrial plants.

3. Reduced operating costs

Automation and process optimization help reduce operating costs. Companies benefit from lower personnel expenses, reduced downtime, and improved resource utilization.

4. Scalability

Sematicon offers solutions that can be easily scaled. Companies can tailor the platform to their specific requirements and expand it in line with business growth or increasing process complexity.

5. Quality improvement

Standardized processes and fewer errors lead to higher production quality. This increases productivity and improves customer service, ultimately strengthening customer satisfaction and loyalty.

6. Faster time to market

Greater efficiency and automation mean that products can be developed and brought to market more quickly. This gives companies a clear competitive advantage in industries where speed is critical.

7. Compliance and security

Sematicon facilitates compliance with legal regulations and internal standards through automated documentation and full process traceability. This simplifies audits and reduces the risk of non-compliance.

8. Data-driven decision-making

The platform collects and analyzes data in real time, enabling companies to make informed decisions. By identifying trends and patterns, businesses can proactively respond to changes and adjust their strategies accordingly.

9. Competitive advantage

By adopting modern technologies such as Sematicon, companies can strengthen their market position and differentiate themselves from competitors still relying on outdated, inefficient systems.

10. Enhanced collaboration

Sematicon supports collaboration within the organization and with external partners. Easy access to shared data and information improves teamwork and streamlines communication.

In summary, Sematicon provides a platform that significantly enhances efficiency, quality, and flexibility in industrial operations through automation, knowledge management, and data analytics. These advantages lead to greater competitiveness and stronger market positioning.

Sematicon applies a proxy-based access model for OT environments, both remotely and on prem, making it the only provider enabling legally compliant, fully auditable access (audit-capable, etc.). Sematicon is also among the few security vendors already working in accordance with SOC-compliant requirements (Cyber Resilience Act), thereby ensuring OT security for industrial networks based on the zero-trust principle.

In line with the BSI requirements for industrial facilities, Sematicon enforces complete isolation of all systems, ensuring 100% separation according to the zero-trust model. The guiding security principle is: “Never allow direct access to your system, and always verify and document every step before performing maintenance on behalf of someone else!”

Sematicon se.MIS™ – Industrial Remote Management

The se.MIS™ platform is a modular solution for secure remote management and auditing that protects industrial networks without changing existing systems. It isolates the insecure access of industrial networks and facilities regardless of the age of the systems and meets strict international security standards such as IEC 62443.

se.MIS™ secure remote management in the age of Industry 4.0

  • Modern and highest security standards
  • Secure remote access to old and new plants and machines
  • Remote access without installing software on the target system or using a VPN
  • Comprehensive and easy to administer roles, rights and access concepts
  • Self-determination for IT and industry
  • Fully integrated digital maintenance book
Sematicon se.MIS™ – The components

Full flexibility through a modular system

se.MIS™ Manager: Central system for user interaction, operated in the internal network and ideally the only system with indirect access to the isolated machine network.

se.MIS™ AccessGateway (optional): Allows external users to access systems securely from the Internet without opening the firewall of the internal network.

se.MIS™ Connector (optional): Provides secure access from the IT network to the machine network through an indirect connection. It is freely configurable and superior to traditional VPN solutions.

se.MIS™ KVM-Extender (optional): Enables access to systems without a network connection, such as older machines, by digitally transmitting keyboard, mouse and screen signals.

Sematicon se.SAM™ Series – Crypto modules for (I)IOT and embedded systems

The digital transformation creates new opportunities but also introduces complex requirements for securing digital data and processes. Strong cryptography is therefore essential.

Although it is widely used in IT, industrial environments often have different conditions, for example outdated systems or limited resources. At the same time, industrial devices still need to be integrated into modern IT systems.

Sematicon se.SAM™ provides platform-independent tools that make cryptography usable in these environments as well.

The Sematicon se.SAM™ Series enables modern cryptographic standards to be implemented in industrial and embedded systems, ensuring the protection of data and intellectual property.

Sematicon se.SAM™ – Digital security in every environment

Turnkey solution with a flexible interface
se.SAM™ crypto modules with integrated cryptographic components can be used across all operating systems and architectures without any software or drivers.

International standards and guidelines
se.SAM™ simplifies the implementation of guidelines such as IEC-62443 in industrial IT environments. With Sematicon crypto modules, you meet all cryptography requirements.

Cryptography in hardware
se.SAM™ crypto modules execute all cryptographic operations in hardware, ensuring optimal key protection and reliable security.

Long-term availability
The long-term availability of the se.SAM™ crypto modules prevents costly recertifications caused by hardware changes.

High environmental resistance
The se.SAM™ U-Series crypto modules are waterproof, shock resistant and temperature resistant, making them suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

High electromagnetic immunity
se.SAM™ is certified for IT and industrial environments and is therefore ideal for installation in systems or control cabinets.

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