CASE STUDY
Network Health Check Addresses Vulnerabilities
Challenge
Critical infrastructure industries like water and wastewater may be a target for cyberattacks, yet many lack the resources needed to mitigate risks. A municipality with 12 wastewater facilities contracted Wesco as part of an integrated service contract to conduct a network health check and identify cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
Solutions
During the network health check, a Wesco network IoT engineer discovered more than 500 vulnerabilities in the packet capture and a physical security vulnerability, all of which were unknown to the customer. These findings prompted the municipality’s CFO to move the planned network upgrade from 2024 to 2023 to address these vulnerabilities and improve overall performance.
Wesco collaborated with Cisco to provide network design and support in writing documents for federal funding. The project was awarded to Wesco in September, with funding approved for purchase in 2023. Wesco also leveraged Rockwell Automation’s CompactLogix and Stratix switches due to their ability to improve productivity, enhance security, and mitigate risk in industrial applications.
Summary
Customer
Municipal wastewater system
Challenges
- Network vulnerabilities were unknown
Solutions
- Rockwell Automation’s CompactLogix and Stratix switches
- Cisco network upgrade
Results
- Improved network security and robustness
- Ensured safety and cleanliness of local water supply
Results
Wesco’s solution allowed the customer to improve network robustness and address cybersecurity vulnerabilities. We also helped the customer secure funding for the upgrade, allowing them to drive innovation through advanced technology. By achieving these goals, the wastewater facilities saw an increase in productivity and a reduction in costs. Most importantly, this project ensured the safety and cleanliness of the local water supply.
Wesco’s Plant Floor Health Checks
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