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Industrial Defender Phoenix Tailored to SMB OT Security Needs

Umbrella and rain binary code. Data protection and security and privacy concept

Industrial Defender, a provider of operational technology (OT) asset data and cybersecurity solutions for industrial organizations, has unwrapped Phoenix, an OT security solution tailored to the needs of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), according to a prepared statement.

Phoenix provides quick, comprehensive visibility into all SMB OT assets and their associated cyber risks, the company said. Phoenix is a "simplified, all-in-one solution specifically designed for small to medium-sized businesses struggling with limited resources and budget," the company said. Suited for environments with up to 200 endpoints,

Phoenix provides a quick, automated view of all OT assets and vital endpoint information including:

  • Device type, make, model and serial number
  • Software and firmware
  • User accounts
  • Ports and services
  • Configuration details

Addressing SMBs' Struggle with the OT Attack Surface

Here’s the crux of the problem for SMBs: Control systems, sensors and software make up the OT attack surface for hackers. They can be difficult to track and monitor for security issues, Industrial Defender said. But, unfortunately, IT solutions cannot be used to monitor and secure them. At the same time, OT security solutions in the market today are geared toward major critical infrastructure operators and large manufacturers. and their high cost and complexity to deploy and manage make them unsuitable for SMBs.

As Jay Williams, Industrial Defender chief executive, explained:

"SMBs often believe they wouldn't be targeted, but all users of operational technology are at risk of cyberattacks, whether they are the intended target or just caught in the blast radius. Cyber incidents are crippling for small businesses, and Industrial Defender is excited to launch Phoenix as a solution to help protect their operations."

More Security Support for SMBs

Some additional benefits of Phoenix include:

  • A quick on-ramp to asset discovery by monitoring network communication
  • Combining passive means with agentless and active discovery methods for an enhanced, more comprehensive dataset
  • Enabling Security Event Management by providing event log data and network monitoring and visibility

Commenting on the company's focus on SMBs, Williams said:

"Just because operators have smaller footprint facilities, whether a specialty manufacturer, a water treatment site, or a micro power generator, it does not mean they should operate with a blind spot to their cyber and business risks. We are proud to support SMBs in the important role they play in fueling our economy and advancing our quality of life."

Phoenix is available at flexible and cost-effective pricing options that provide the right fit for SMB environments, the company said.

D. Howard Kass

D. Howard Kass is a contributing editor to MSSP Alert. He brings a career in journalism and market research to the role. He has served as CRN News Editor, Dataquest Channel Analyst, and West Coast Senior Contributing Editor at Channelnomics. As the CEO of The Viewpoint Group, he led groundbreaking market research.