Quick guide: Zero Trust in industrial environments

How to implement a Zero Trust security architecture to protect OT/IT operations.

Zero Trust: "never trust, always verify".

Introduction

Digitization in manufacturing increased efficiency and visibility, but also increased exposure to threats, especially with OT/IT convergence. The "trust by location" model is no longer sufficient: Zero Trust becomes the standard for protecting critical operations.

OT and IT convergence in industrial plants — OT/IT convergence and new risk vectors.

What is Zero Trust and why apply it in manufacturing?

Zero Trust assumes that no entity - internal or external - is trusted by default; all access is verified, authorized and monitored continuously. In manufacturing, it involves controlling access by shift/plant, protecting industrial networks, segmenting critical systems (OT, SCADA, PLC) and verifying users, devices and apps in real time.

Key data: 62% of industrial organizations attacked report direct operational consequences.

Step 1. Identify critical assets and map flows

Before applying Zero Trust controls, understand what you need to protect. Inventory industrial SCADA, MES, ERP; OT equipment (PLC, sensors, HMI); industrial IoT; and all users (shifts, contractors, technicians). Map communications and data paths.

Complete inventory of systems and devices
Map of TO/IT flows and dependencies
Prioritization of critical assets

Recommended Pulse solutions: Risk & Governance; Hybrid Cloud (cloud/edge/on-prem mapping).

Inventory of industrial assets and flow map — Basis for effective Zero Trust policies.

Step 2. Implement Identity and Access Control (IAM)

Ensures that only the right users access the right resources under defined conditions.

Access by role, function and schedule
MFA and temporary access to suppliers/technicians
Automatic revocation at the end of shifts

Pulse solution recommended: Identity Governance (life cycle and dynamic access).

IAM with MFA and in-plant access governance — Identity governance with full traceability.

Step 3. Segment your network (micro-segmentation)

Limits lateral movement. If a part of the system is compromised, the attacker must not move freely.

Separate OT and IT networks with differentiated policies
Segmentation by cell, asset or zone
VLANs, ACLs and granular policies

Pulse solution recommended: Cloud Security (segmentation and visibility in hybrid environments).

Industrial network micro-segmentation — Networks segmented by zones and functions.

Step 4. Continuous Monitoring and Automated Response

Real-time visibility: access events, traffic and behavioral anomalies. Detects deviations and automates responses (blocking, alerts, containment).

Unified OT/IT telemetry
Anomaly detection and event correlation
Automated response playbooks

Pulse solution recommended: IT SecOps Automation (reduction of containment times).

Continuous monitoring and response orchestration — Rapid response to suspicious patterns.

Step 5. Compliance and continuous improvement

Zero Trust is a living strategy. It documents authentication/access policies, segmentation, vulnerability management and incident response. Assesses risk and compliance (e.g. IEC 62443, ISO/IEC 27001).

Updated and auditable policies
Maturity metrics and periodic assessment
Continuous improvement plan

Pulse solution recommended: GRC Managed Services (24/7 external compliance and risk management).

Compliance and risk management at Zero Trust — Continuous visibility and auditing.

Conclusion

Adopting Zero Trust in industrial environments protects operational continuity, process integrity and customer confidence. With a phased approach and the right solutions, you can reduce risk without slowing down innovation.