Japan’s Mitsubishi Electric is working with Taiwanese firm TXOne Networks to expand the operational-technology (OT) security businesses of both companies.

They have signed a long-term cooperation agreement covering technology development and marketing.

OT and industrial control systems in manufacturing sites are often operated in closed environments, with IT and OT systems separated from each other. However, the emergence of the IoT and digital transformation is enabling convergence between these two domains. As a result, cyber attacks targeting manufacturing sites in industries such as semiconductors and automobiles have increased, leading to production disruptions and highlighting the growing need for more robust security measures in factories.

Through their collaboration, the two companies aim to create innovative value in OT security by combining Mitsubishi’s assessment, maintenance and operation services as well as control equipment and systems with TXOne’s OT security products. The OT security offerings are expected to improve manufacturing productivity, efficiency and safety as well as security levels throughout the supply chains of various industries.

Mitsubishi Electric (www.mitsubishielectric.com) offers OT security to protect manufacturing sites from cyber attacks. The company has cultivated experience in IT security technology for the financial industry and other sectors, and has developed knowledge of control equipment and systems, especially for manufacturing, which it provides through a full range of services, from assessment and consulting to countermeasures and operational support.

TXOne (www.txone.com) provides OT security that helps manufacturers comply with security guidelines, such as the semiconductor sector’s Semi E187 specification. The company’s OT-native network segmentation and defence technologies let users mitigate the impact of cyber attacks. Based on a principle of OT zero trust, TXOne adapts to the characteristics of each OT environment to deliver cyber security that supports secure production operations.