Complexity and cyber-risks are on the rise, but professional knowledge and resources at the interface between IT and OT are often lacking. Discover the solution: Our ready-to-run, industry-grade IT infrastructure offers you a customized solution for your OT environment. Take advantage of our extensive expertise in IT and OT to host and manage the entire system remotely. he rapid expansion of IIoT in the industrial sector has been transformative. However, instead of relying solely on direct-to-cloud IoT driven practices, we recommend a dual Cloud and Plant Edge strategy when developing your digital technology platform. Managing millions of digital assets exclusively in the cloud can be costly and is best suited for remote or mobile assets, fleets, and lower-risk, non-time-critical safety applications in industrial production.

By leveraging a primary plant-based edge in conjunction with cloud infrastructure, you can optimize operations more effectively. The local plant edge efficiently manages machines and production processes, while relevant data is transmitted to the cloud for backup and advanced analysis, including the integration of generative AI.

An edge data center is a small data center that is located close to the edge of a network in the network or data room in you plant. It provides the same device found in traditional data centers but is contained in a smaller footprint, hardened, redundant to fit the industrial rugged environment and industrial control system needs. Edge data centers can deliver cached content and cloud computing resources to these devices 

Central to this Siemens strategy is the Industrial Automation Data Center (IADC), the foundation of our Plant Super Edge platform. Custom-configured by Siemens experts, the IADC seamlessly integrates IT and OT systems to meet all production requirements. With Siemens’ expertise in automation, digitalization, and security, this platform provides a streamlined pathway into the future of industrial digital infrastructure

 The Industrial Automation DataCenter (IADC) is a custom-configured data center for all IT requirements in production, developed by Siemens experts with combined expertise in automation, digitalization and security. It facilitates entry into the forward-looking, digitalized infrastructure of the industrial environment of the future.

Structure

All important core elements of a data center are included: high performance computing (with high availability), IT/OT networks, back-up and disaster recovery, process data archiving, uninterruptable power supply and IEC 62443 compliant security architecture.

The following hardware and software components are in the IADC

preconfigured and system tested:

• Front-Firewall/s (1)
• Industrial DMZ Infrastructure (2)
• Back-Firewalls (3)
• Network components (4)
• Virtualization-Cluster (5)
• Backup & Disaster Recovery (6)
• Process Historian (7)
• OT-Network (8)
• Uninterruptible power supply (9)

Hardware, software and services for network security and system integrity are already integrated, serving two of the three layers of the Defense in Depth concept

Open Brochure

Our defense-in-depth cybersecurity strategy encompasses cutting-edge IT and OT solutions, including next-generation firewalls and OT intrusion detection systems, along with deep packet inspection. Think of the next-generation firewall as the TSA at an airport (But much faster:-), scanning all incoming traffic at high speed to ensure that no malicious threats enter the secure gate area, in our industry before entering the Plant OT environment. This function is part of the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), an area dedicated to inspecting incoming IT traffic.

Within this DMZ, we implement secure remote connections to facilitate safe remote access to your plant. This is crucial, as many plant employees and OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) require remote access to the plant's control systems for troubleshooting and support.

Our Remote Connection Managed Service allows you to manage all incoming external connections securely. It ensures proper verification for entry, controls the duration of access, and restricts users to specific machines or areas they are authorized to manage. This guarantees that individuals cannot roam outside their permitted zones.

Key Security Components:

- Network Security

  - Next-Generation Firewalls

  - IT/OT Network Segmentation

  - Industrial DMZ (Jump Host, Remote Access, etc.)

- System Integrity

  - Computing (Hardening, Authentication, etc.)

  - Backup & Disaster Recovery

  - Log Management

  - Endpoint Protection

  - Vulnerability Management

  - Patch Management

The Industrial Automation Data Center (IADC) is highly adaptable to meet customer requirements, consisting of various flexibly combinable modules. Our holistic approach covers consulting, configuration, and comprehensive support services throughout the entire lifecycle.