Client: Enterprise in the energy distribution sector

Users: Approximately 2,000 users

Branches: 13 branches

Challenge:

Our client, a leading enterprise in electrical energy distribution, faced significant limitations in their IT and OT infrastructure due to its decentralized architecture and insufficient security measures. Each branch operated with local servers that collected and processed data on-site, synchronizing later with the central server at the Head Quarter. This approach resulted in data management inefficiencies, lack of scalability, and exposure to major cyber risks.

Solution

We delivered a complete transformation of their IT and OT infrastructure, providing a scalable, centralized, and secure solution tailored to the client’s critical needs:

1. Consultancy and Assessment:

   • We conducted a thorough evaluation of the existing infrastructure, identifying major vulnerabilities, including the absence of advanced network protection and traffic segmentation.
   • Based on this assessment, we proposed customized solutions to modernize and secure the entire infrastructure.

2. IT and OT Redesign:

   • We implemented a 2-tier architecture, centralizing and converging the IT and OT networks. This solution facilitated efficient network management and significantly increased security across critical points.

3. Migration to a Centralized and Secure Architecture:

   • We transitioned from a decentralized, unsecured architecture to a centralized, dynamically routed architecture with full security at every level.
   • Previously, each branch operated local servers for data processing and synchronization with the Head Quarter. After the redesign, all applications and workloads were containerized and orchestrated using technologies such as Kubernetes, ensuring optimal scalability and application isolation.

4. Comprehensive Security:

   • We deployed Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW) both at the Head Quarter and in the branches, providing advanced protection against attacks, along with real-time traffic monitoring and Deep Packet Inspection (DPI).
   • SD-WAN solutions were implemented to secure and prioritize data flows between branches and remote work sites.
   • For SCADA/OT network security, we established IPSec tunnels with IKEv2, ensuring encrypted communication between remote points and the Head Quarter, thus eliminating risks of data interception.

5. Advanced Security Solutions:

   • We implemented an Intrusion Detection and Prevention System (IDS/IPS) to protect critical infrastructure from sophisticated attacks.
   • Network segmentation across LAN, Production, and OT networks ensured traffic isolation, preventing lateral movement of potential threats.
   • We created redundancy at every level (Aggregation Switches, DC Core Switches, NGFWs, Border Routers) to ensure continuous operation in case of failures.

6. Private Cloud Migration:

   • Utilizing existing servers, we migrated the infrastructure to a Private Cloud based on containerized environments. This enhanced performance and efficiency by orchestrating workloads and applications with Kubernetes, providing scalability and optimal isolation.

7. Advanced Technologies for Security and Efficiency:

   • We implemented SIEM and NAC solutions to monitor and control network access, integrating with SOAR for automated incident response.
   • Using Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) solutions, we ensured defense against advanced threats like zero-day attacks.

Key Protocols

• IPSec IKEv2: Used for secure and encrypted communication between remote SCADA/OT points and the Head Quarter.
• BGP (iBGP and eBGP): Implemented for dynamic and redundant routing, ensuring high availability and stability between networks.
• 802.1x (dot1x): Used for secure network access control, authenticating devices and users on the network.
• SD-WAN: Enabled dynamic routing and prioritization of traffic between branches, ensuring secure and efficient data flow.

Benefits

• Enhanced Security: Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW), SD-Access, and full network segmentation provided protection at every level, ensuring the client’s infrastructure is resilient against modern threats.
• Improved Performance and Scalability: The migration to a containerized private cloud environment allowed for better synchronization of processes and streamlined data management, improving overall performance.
• Increased Redundancy: With redundancy built into all layers of the network infrastructure, including switches, firewalls, and routers, the client can maintain continuous operations even in case of hardware failures.
• Optimized Data Management: By centralizing the previously distributed server structure, data management became more efficient, reducing latency and improving synchronization between branches.

Conclusion

PRIDE Group's by leveraging advanced security protocols, containerized private cloud environments, and dynamic routing, we successfully transformed the client’s infrastructure into a modern, secure, and highly scalable solution. This redesign not only met current business needs but also provided the flexibility to adapt to future growth and security requirements, ensuring the stability and safety of critical operations in the energy distribution sector.