Secure Remote Access for OT: a managed approach
Why OT remote access needs more than a VPN
Industrial environments rely on external vendors, contractors, and remote engineers to keep operations running. Whether it's for maintenance, troubleshooting, or system updates, remote access to OT systems is unavoidable.
But how do you ensure that remote access is secure, controlled, and compliant—without exposing critical infrastructure to cyber risks?
Traditional VPNs and jump servers often fall short when applied to OT. They lack granular control, visibility into sessions, and secure authentication for external users. Instead, a modern Zero Trust-based remote access solution is needed—one that offers:
? Granular access control based on roles and time windows
? Over-the-shoulder monitoring to supervise vendor sessions in real time
? Just-in-time (JIT) access that eliminates the need to store external users in your authentication system
? Seamless integration with existing identity providers (e.g., SAML-based authentication)
At OTconnect, we deliver secure remote access as a managed service, ensuring that you get the benefits without the complexity of managing it yourself.
How secure remote access works
At OTconnect , we base our secure remote access solution on leading platforms that?use a two-tier architecture for maximum security. This ensures that:
Instead of opening a permanent connection, each session is:
? Time-limited – Access is granted only for a predefined time window.
? Context-aware – Users must authenticate via a trusted identity provider.
? Fully monitored – Security teams have full visibility into all remote sessions.
This eliminates the risks associated with always-on VPN tunnels, shared credentials, and unmanaged vendor access.
Why a managed service?
Managing secure remote access is more than just installing a platform. It requires constant oversight, policy enforcement, and user management. That’s where OTconnect’s managed service comes in.
Our managed remote access services include:
?? Platform maintenance & updates We ensure that your remote access platform is always patched and up to date, reducing the risk of vulnerabilities. This includes:
? Regular security updates and firmware patches.
? Continuous performance monitoring to ensure uptime and availability.
?? Policy enforcement & configuration management We define and maintain granular access policies to ensure that:
? Users only access what they need, when they need it.
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? Time-based access windows are applied to limit unnecessary exposure.
? Least privilege principles are enforced to minimize security risks.
?? Access request & user onboarding/offboarding Managing external users can be a challenge, especially with contractors and vendors coming and going. We handle:
? Joiners - movers - leavers (JML) management, ensuring access rights are updated in real time.
? Just-in-time (JIT) access, so vendors don’t need permanent accounts.
? Automated vendor onboarding, reducing administrative burden.
?? Continuous monitoring & anomaly detection Securing remote access isn’t just about granting permissions—it’s about watching what happens next. We integrate a remote access solution with security monitoring tools to:
? Detect unusual access attempts, such as logins from unexpected locations.
? Flag failed login attempts or abnormal session durations.
? Identify potential lateral movement attempts by unauthorized users.
?? Compliance reporting & audits Meeting security regulations can be complex, but we simplify it by:
? Generating detailed access logs for compliance audits.
? Providing regular security reviews to ensure alignment with IEC 62443, NIS 2, and other regulatory requirements.
? Offering customized reports on remote access activity and security trends.
Why choose OTconnect?
At OTconnect, we don’t just sell remote access solutions—we operate and manage them for you.
With OTconnect’s fully managed secure remote access, you can ensure vendor and employee access is both easy and safe—without adding complexity to your operations.
Learn more
Are you ready to take your OT cybersecurity to the next level? Visit the OTconnect website to learn more about remote access for OT.
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