Blue Ridge Networks secures several OT security recognitions from Gartner Hype Cycle

August 11, 2023

Blue Ridge Networks Inc. has been recognized by analyst firm Gartner as a trusted provider of solutions to secure OT (operational technology) cyber physical systems. Blue Ridge has received four recognitions including ‘Top Vendor for Protection of Cyber Physical Systems (CPS),’ ‘OT Security for Oil and Gas Industry,’ ‘OT Security for Manufacturing Operations, and ‘Overall OT Security Management.’

Gartner also recognizes that Blue Ridge’s LinkGuard CyberCloak capabilities offer reliable and highly-trusted OT network protection that entities require. The LinkGuard solution protects OT critical assets for cyber physical system security. The company identified in an information brief that it “stays out in front of technological developments as a key piece of a multi-layered defense strategy to form a holistic approach to OT security.”

Blue Ridge gives organizations the ability to grant authorized users remote access to essential services and infrastructure at a higher level of security than typical VPNs, without impacting operations. Its solutions can be easily and rapidly deployed and plugs right into the network without software or network configuration changes; no technical support is required for remote end users, and protects critical assets by making network system components invisible to unauthorized users.

These solutions have also been tested for protecting U.S. national security assets with no confirmed security breaches. They come with built-in mutual mandatory authentication ensuring that each connection is verified at both ends, without any dependence on user discretion to access organization resources. They also offer two-factor user authentication using something that the user has, and something that they know, in order to authenticate. Lastly, it delivers on savings by being dramatically more cost-effective than other remote access alternatives.

The analyst firm’s report also highlights the need to prepare for the new reality of CPS security. This discipline is becoming increasingly important as it centralizes the security of various systems such as IT, OT, IoT (Internet of Things), and industrial IoT. It aims to bring together an asset-centric cybersecurity approach.

OT security has emerged as ‘absolutely essential’ to ensure business and operational continuity, as these OT environments are critical value drivers, and protecting them is paramount.

The Gartner Hype Cycle is a critical tool created and continually applied by the research and advisory firm to track the maturity and adoption of various technologies. The cycle portrays the typical journey of a new technology, from its inception to its full market maturity and success. The Hype Cycle divides a particular technology’s journey into five phases; innovation trigger, peak of inflated expectations, trough of disillusionment, slope of enlightenment, and plateaus of productivity.

The Gartner Hype Cycle is a comprehensive and respected barometer for technology professionals and potential investors to understand the trajectory of emerging cybersecurity technologies, how they are likely to develop, and how they fit into the industry. With this understanding, cybersecurity providers and investors will be able to identify opportunities and make informed solution development and investment decisions.

The tool has also emerged as a trusted resource largely due to its thorough and insightful deep-dive analysis, as it distills complex technology trends into a simple, intuitive format that allows even non-technical stakeholders to glean critical insights.

Earlier this week, another OT cybersecurity company Radiflow announced that its CIARA Risk Assessment and Management solution has been featured in Gartner hype cycle solutions research. The analyst firm recognizes the increasing risk to CPS, and is highlighting Radiflow’s risk assessment and management solution.