076. Industrial Networks Series - Network Assessments

Joe Frank leads us through a discussion about the power of network assessments.  As the old saying goes “you have to know where you are to get to know where you’re going”.  This rings so true for industrial networks and the network assessment is key to getting started on the right foot. Joe discusses the ins and outs of an assessment for all the items on the physical layer.  He discusses what he looks for in an assessment for items such as grounding, cabling, switches, and the overall environment.

Security is such an important issue for all industries and understanding the risks is covered in a good assessment.  Areas such as physical and how key equipment is protected are all important.   Open ports or cabinets without locks are weak areas from a security standpoint and should be corrected quickly. Joe also discusses IT/OT convergence and how an assessment can be impactful for both sides of the table.

He has wonderful experiences that he shares about which could make a huge impact for others as they assess their own situations.  Network assessments are crucial to building a robust, powerful, and safe industrial network.    

Guest: Joe Frank - Industrial Network Engineer at EECO
Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets

Resources:

EECO Inspire Blog: Do You Think You Have the Best Network Architecture in Place
EECO Inspire Blog: What to Consider with Industrial Networks