Pike Research: Unidirectional Gateways Among Most Promising SCADA Security Technologies

ROSH HA'AYIN, Israel, September 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

The recent Pike Research report "Industrial Control System Security" for Smart Grids identifies Waterfall's Unidirectional Gateways as among the "most promising technologies for investment in SCADA security." Waterfall Unidirectional Security Gateways allow information to leave protected industrial networks, but have no hardware communications path which might permit a network attack to reach back into those protected networks. When deployed as recommended, the technology provides absolute protection from attacks originating on external networks.

Andrew Ginter, Waterfall's Director of Industrial Security digs deeper:

"Waterfall's software is a key component of the unidirectional solution. The software lets the unidirectional communications hardware integrate seamlessly with already-deployed control systems. Nobody wants to redesign their networks to make them more secure."

The Pike Research report documents the SCADA security marketplace as a whole, and identifies 2010 as a turning point.

"Nearly overnight, ICS security went from a non-issue to being critical. As a result, most security vendors had very little time to think about or develop a methodical approach to securing ICS. Those security vendors who focused on ICS all along may have an advantage."

Waterfall Security Solutions is the market leader for unidirectional security solutions for industrial applications, having focused exclusively on the industrial security market for many years. Lior Frenkel, Waterfall's CEO and Co-Founder adds:

"It is encouraging to see Waterfall recognized as a key player in the field of industrial security. Attacks on control systems are only becoming more sophisticated. Industrial targets need the kind of strong security that Unidirectional Gateways provide."

Historically, many control systems were completely disconnected from external networks. Today, the vast majority of control systems are connected to other networks, often through inadequately-secured firewalls. The Pike report notes that "control networks should be strictly segregated from enterprise IT networks." Unidirectional Gateways let business-critical data flow to IT networks, without putting the safety or availability of control networks at risk.

The Pike Research report can be purchased at: http://www.pikeresearch.com/research/industrial-control-systems-security.

Waterfall's patented cyber-security solutions enable Utilities and Critical Infrastructures to connect their critical industrial networks to external networks, securely meeting business needs without exposing these networks to risks and threats of cyber attacks, cyber terror, and hacking from external, less secure networks. Waterfall's cyber-security solutions assists Utilities and Critical Infrastructures to achieve compliance with NERC-CIP, NRC, CFATS and other regulations and standards, as well as cyber-security policies and best practises.

http://www.waterfall-security.com

SOURCE Waterfall Security Solutions Ltd.