Industrial networking and security
The backbone of any automation or information system, network infrastructure has become increasingly vital to a secure, high-performing, and robust system. ACC helps ensure that critical infrastructure, both within the facility as well as via cloud-based storage and remote system access, is designed, implemented, and tested. Today, most modern plant applications are leveraging virtual environments. These environments demand more network throughput and reliability.
ACC is well versed communicating with both the engineering and IT organizations of our customers to meet these challenges. This begins with understanding the different constraints of back office desktop systems versus control systems, such as:
- Hours of operation (typically 9 to 5 vs. 24/7)
- Downtime windows (weekends and holidays vs. little planned downtime)
- Internet access (fairly open vs. segregated and closed)
- Hardware and software upgrades and patches (frequent pushed upgrades vs. infrequent planned and tested deployments)
ACC works to design and implement networking architectures that integrate to existing IT infrastructures at the appropriate levels for remote access, data integrity, and security.
ACC also helps protect the infrastructure from the ever-increasing threat of cyber attacks by evaluating systems for vulnerabilities and scanning for holes in both wired and wireless networks to advise customers on approaches to mitigate and prevent intrusion.
ACC’s staff includes VMWare Certified Professionals who help customers utilize virtualization to consolidate servers, conserve energy, improve ease of management, and facilitate testing and validation. A key element of this service is the elimination of software/hardware compatibility issues to extending the life of legacy systems and protecting the control system capital investment.
Our partners play a vital role in supporting these architectures with their hardware, software, and services.
