The key to foiling attacks on OT systems is preventing attackers from pivoting into critical OT systems. That requires isolation between business and operational functions. PNNL’s Cyber Isolets is a computing system and method designed to compartmentalize users, applications, and essential functions. If an attacker gains access to a business system, Cyber Isolets keeps them from jumping between applications, taking control of operational technology, and ultimately wreaking havoc. Cyber Isolets is a patent-pending, foundational new architecture that creates smart, resilient barriers that prescribe which exchanges can occur between control systems and business networks while disallowing all others. This prevents attacks on operational technology systems without disrupting business processes.

Cyber Isolets was selected for the U.S. Department of Energy‘s (DOE’s) Practices to Accelerate the Commercialization of Technologies (PACT) program. PNNL will work with Cyber CP to license the technology, which was identified as mature enough to transition to a commercial product.