Mitsubishi Electric And Nozomi Networks Forge Partnership To Strengthen Operational Technology Security

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6503) has recently announced a strategic partnership with Nozomi Networks Inc, a prominent developer and distributor of operational technology (OT) security solutions. This collaboration marks a significant step towards enhancing OT security, combining Mitsubishi Electric's expertise in factory-automation (FA) equipment with Nozomi Networks' advanced OT network-visualization and intrusion-detection technologies. The partnership, formalized through Mitsubishi Electric's acquisition of an equity stake in Nozomi Networks, aims to deliver comprehensive OT security solutions that ensure robust security and continuous system operation.

As part of this initiative, Mitsubishi Electric will leverage the products and technologies of its partners, TXOne and Dispel, to offer a wide range of OT security measures. These measures include visualization and intrusion detection, network defense, and remote access capabilities. The collaboration is set to accelerate digital manufacturing by facilitating the secure use of OT data throughout entire product lifecycles, thereby reinforcing Mitsubishi Electric’s Circular Digital-Engineering business.

Mitsubishi Electric brings to the table its vast experience in IT security technologies across various industries, including finance, and its deep knowledge of control equipment and systems for manufacturing. The company offers a comprehensive suite of services encompassing assessment, consulting, countermeasures, and operational support to safeguard manufacturing sites from cyber threats.

Nozomi Networks, recognized globally for its OT and IoT security solutions, caters to a broad spectrum of customers in sectors such as manufacturing, energy, transportation, and critical infrastructure. The company's offerings include cutting-edge technologies for OT-network and endpoint visibility as well as intrusion detection in OT environments. With a strong presence in the United States, Europe, and Japan, Nozomi Networks is at the forefront of delivering innovative security solutions.

Kunihiko Kaga, Mitsubishi Electric’s Representative Executive Officer and Industry & Mobility Business Area Owner, emphasized the importance of OT security in Mitsubishi Electric’s digital transformation journey. "By integrating our manufacturing-control and information-system security technologies with Nozomi Networks’ visualization and intrusion-detection technologies, we aim to create secure OT environments that advance the use of data across society," Kaga stated.

Edgard Capdevielle, CEO of Nozomi Networks, highlighted the shared vision between the two companies regarding the transformative potential of data and analytics for operational and cybersecurity improvements. "In today’s threat environment and economic conditions, critical infrastructure operators globally require robust cybersecurity solutions. We are proud to partner with Mitsubishi Electric to deliver advanced cybersecurity solutions that can be easily scaled across diverse industrial and critical infrastructure environments," Capdevielle remarked.

The increasing connectivity of onsite equipment and systems to the internet and other networks underscores the growing importance of OT security measures. The complexity inherent in controlling diverse devices such as programmable logic controllers and robots presents challenges in ensuring comprehensive system understanding and continuous operation. This partnership between Mitsubishi Electric and Nozomi Networks represents a proactive approach to addressing these challenges by developing uniform security measures capable of effectively managing anomalies within connected systems.