IT/OT Cybersecurity Architecture for a World-Leading Automotive Giant

Needs And Requirements:

The client sought strategic guidance in standardizing and modernizing their operational technology (OT) networks while leveraging the advantages of cloud integration to enhance scalability, efficiency, and security across their manufacturing operations. With a global footprint and complex industrial environments, the client faced the challenge of transforming legacy OT infrastructures into a standardized, secure, and cloud-enabled ecosystem.

This initiative involved a large-scale transformation of manufacturing plant networks, requiring the design, implementation, and security of new OT connectivity infrastructures that could seamlessly integrate with cloud environments while maintaining operational resilience and compliance with industry standards.

Main Challenges:

Legacy System Integration & Standardization: Standardizing legacy OT systems while ensuring compatibility with existing industrial control systems and protocols can be complex.

Security and Compliance in a Hybrid Environment: Integrating OT with cloud services introduces new cybersecurity risks, including increased exposure to cyber threats and potential compliance gaps.

Ensuring Business Continuity: Large-scale network transformations in manufacturing environments must be executed with minimal disruption to production.

Solution:

Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC): Hitachi Cyber conducted comprehensive IT/OT risk assessments, developed security policies and procedures, and ensured compliance with industry standards, including ISA/IEC 62443 and the ISA-95 Purdue Model, to enhance the client’s security governance and risk management framework.

Virtual CISO & Advisory Services: Hitachi Cyber provided strategic oversight, evaluated security requirements for new and existing OT projects, and managed internal project coordination to ensure seamless execution and alignment with the client’s long-term digital transformation strategy.

Cyber Resilience and Incident Response: Hitachi Cyber established security deployment protocols and processes, implemented a zero-trust model, and enhanced the client’s ability to proactively identify and mitigate cyber threats, ensuring operational resilience and rapid incident response.

Architecture Security: Hitachi Cyber provided end-to-end security expertise in assessing and designing secure network and cloud architectures. This included in-depth cloud connectivity reviews, security configuration assessments for Microsoft 365, Azure, and AWS, as well as seamless migration support. Our specialists delivered comprehensive IT/OT risk assessments, security policy development, and robust network architecture and configuration strategies. The engagement also focused on securing cloud migrations and implementing zero-trust principles while ensuring compliance with industry standards such as ISA/IEC 62443 and the ISA-95 Purdue Model. Additionally, governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) measures were strengthened to enhance resilience and regulatory adherence. With dedicated project management oversight, Hitachi Cyber ensured alignment with the client’s security objectives, enabling a structured and secure transformation of their evolving manufacturing environment. This approach reinforced a resilient and compliant OT cloud transformation, safeguarding critical operations against emerging threats.

Outcomes:

Hitachi Cyber’s specialists provided comprehensive support across key areas, including IT/OT risk assessments, security policy development, network architecture and configuration, cloud migration security, and zero-trust implementation. Additionally, the engagement covered security assessments and deployment support for cloud environments such as Microsoft 365, Azure, and AWS, alongside adherence to industry standards such as ISA/IEC 62443 and the ISA-95 Purdue Model. Governance, risk, and compliance measures were reinforced, ensuring a secure and resilient transformation. Internal project management oversight ensured alignment with the client’s security objectives, facilitating a seamless and structured approach to securing their evolving manufacturing landscape.

Next Steps:

Hitachi Cyber will assist the client in maintaining and updating security protocols to ensure that systems remain resilient to evolving threats. Regular security reviews and audits will be scheduled to ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations. Additionally, the client will benefit from ongoing advisory services, including guidance on emerging technologies and best practices to further enhance their IT/OT convergence