Nozomi Networks and SEL Expand OT SDN Partnership for Critical Infrastructure
The expanded integration combines AI-powered cyber visibility with industrial networking to help utilities meet strict regulatory compliance requirements.
Key points
- Nozomi Networks and SEL integrated OT SDN visibility directly into the Nozomi cybersecurity platform.
- Guardian security sensors can now be installed on ruggedized SEL-3355 Computing Platforms.
- The partnership aims to help operators comply with NERC CIP-015-1 and other security frameworks.
Nozomi Networks and Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories announced an expansion of their global partnership to enhance cybersecurity resilience for critical infrastructure operators. According to a report by Industrial Cyber, the companies are combining operational technology software-defined networking visibility with artificial intelligence-driven security tools. This move addresses evolving regulatory demands while improving overall operational visibility for utilities and other essential service providers worldwide.
The expanded offering merges Nozomi’s AI-powered cybersecurity platform with SEL’s industrial networking software, managed Ethernet switches, and trusted computing platforms. This combination allows organizations to scale their security programs more effectively. The integrated solution supports compliance with major industry frameworks, including NERC CIP, IEC 62443, and NIST guidance. It specifically targets the expanding Internal Network Security Monitoring requirements found in NERC CIP-015-1, helping utilities navigate complex regulatory landscapes.
Technical Integration and Visibility
A key component of this partnership is the direct integration between the Nozomi platform and SEL’s OT Software-Defined Networking technology. OT SDN provides authoritative network intelligence directly from the control layer of industrial environments. This includes near real-time visibility into connected assets, traffic flows, network policies, and physical topology. By feeding this data into Nozomi’s platform, organizations gain deeper insight into their managed environments.
This integration enhances several core security capabilities for operators. It improves threat detection, anomaly detection, and asset intelligence across the network. The AI-powered risk analysis features help organizations identify potential vulnerabilities more quickly. That suggests operators can respond to emerging threats with greater speed and accuracy. The OT SDN also supports a deny-by-default architecture, which is considered a strong baseline for securing industrial control systems.
Hardware and Operational Impact
Nozomi Networks Guardian security sensors can now be installed directly on SEL-3355 Computing Platforms. This hardware option allows customers to deploy advanced monitoring on ruggedized equipment designed for demanding industrial environments. Organizations that already trust SEL hardware gain a new option for standardizing their cybersecurity monitoring processes. This standardization can simplify operations for utilities that rely on SEL infrastructure for their critical systems.
The partnership builds on a previous collaboration that has served utilities and other critical infrastructure organizations globally. The new offerings combine lifecycle cybersecurity services with compliance expertise. This holistic approach helps operators strengthen their cyber resilience while addressing specific regulatory requirements. The integration aims to provide a more comprehensive portfolio of technologies and services.
What should you do?
Security professionals should evaluate whether their current monitoring tools leverage data from software-defined networking layers. Reviewing the integration of network policy data into security platforms can reveal blind spots in asset visibility. Organizations subject to NERC CIP-015-1 should verify that their monitoring solutions meet the expanding Internal Network Security Monitoring requirements. Checking hardware compatibility for ruggedized environments ensures that security sensors can operate reliably in harsh conditions.
What to do and how to stay safe: Nozomi Networks
- Assess whether your current security monitoring tools ingest data from industrial software-defined networking layers to improve asset visibility.
- Review compliance readiness for NERC CIP-015-1 to ensure your Internal Network Security Monitoring meets all expanding regulatory requirements.
- Verify that your security sensors are compatible with ruggedized hardware platforms suitable for demanding industrial environments.
- Evaluate the integration of network policy and topology data into your AI-powered risk analysis tools for better threat detection.
Step-by-step guide: Prompt Injection Warning Signs: How to Spot AI Manipulation
General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
Which regulatory frameworks does the new Nozomi and SEL partnership support?
The expanded offerings support compliance with NERC CIP, IEC 62443, and NIST guidance, including the expanding Internal Network Security Monitoring requirements under NERC CIP-015-1.
What new hardware integration is available through this partnership?
Nozomi Networks Guardian security sensors can now be installed directly on SEL-3355 Computing Platforms, allowing for monitoring on ruggedized hardware designed for demanding environments.
How does OT SDN integration benefit the Nozomi platform?
OT SDN provides authoritative network intelligence from the control layer, including near real-time visibility of assets, traffic flows, and network policies, enhancing threat and anomaly detection.
