Chapter 1.

Stages of Connectivity in a
Manufacturing Plant
Remote Access in manufacturing plants typically evolves from insular installation to
allowing multiple remote support personnel connections.

Figure 1
No external access The graphic below represents the
outside the company different stages based on the growing
demands and the company’s maturity.
Limited “one to one”
(IT allowing access)

Many to one system (multiple

people to support one system)

“One to many” (Support of many

systems such as OEM Machines)

Plant recognizes the value and expands the number of connections

Several connections for different systems

Many different connections

to multiple systems

Complex security challenges Need for a single secure IT connection that is

with many different systems segmented and managed by OT to avoid external
poke holes in the firewall, changes at inappropriate times. Need to record
either IT or OT activity by individual and time.

Challenges in understanding changes and who made them

ISSUES
Limited access to a single person and asset

Higher installation cost and slower response time to issues

2021 I Practical Guide for Remote Access to Plant Equipment 6