Suggestions on how to assess the current state of your operations:

• Run a report on VPN usage per manufacturing facility by getting in

touch with your corporate information security department.

• Survey OEMs and other service providers to paint a picture of regions

and use cases. Many companies let multiple vendors into their plant
network for Remote Access; it is not usually limited to just one.

• Collect information from all third parties on their capabilities

(both current and desired) for remote support. Determine what
infrastructure is already in place, such as firewalls, demilitarized zone
(DMZ), cellular signal, network segmentation, and others.

• Several products provide a means to create a connection over a VPN

or cellular link to gain outside connectivity. Most of these can easily
demonstrate connectivity by creating a tunnel to specific points. There
are pros and cons to these various approaches, and it will be essential
to obtain the results and reasons for their use in your operation.

Best Practice: Talk to Experts

If you are unfamiliar with the various technologies and methods

for Remote Access, it is crucial to reach out to other internal
organizations, outside companies, clients and partners to gain from
their experiences or needs. Remote Access is evolving quickly based
on technical and environmental factors. New emerging technologies
are released regularly and existing technologies are frequently
updated, so performing a scan of existing technologies via expert
consultation is advised. There are companies specializing in Remote
Access that have been supplying integrated, scalable solutions for
over ten years. It will be important to take in all inputs in order to
develop a plan for the future.

2021 I Practical Guide for Remote Access to Plant Equipment 11