NexDefense Launches Anomaly Detection Solution for Industrial Networks

NexDefense, a provider of cybersecurity solutions for automation and control systems, this week announced the availability of a new an Industrial Network Anomaly Detection (INAD) system designed to help customers detect and respond to abnormal behavior within their control system environments.

Called “Sophia”, the product was built specifically for automation and control systems and bolsters security compliance without sacrificing productivity, optimization or performance, Atlanta-based NexDefense said.

Described by NexDefense as a passive, real-time diagnostic and security tool, Sophia has been designed specifically for control systems professionals and fingerprints all devices on a network and monitors all activity between them.

“The emerging cyber threats to our nations’ critical infrastructure – such as power plants, oil refineries and defense facilities – have the extraordinary capacity to negatively impact millions of people and commerce, all at once, and for prolonged periods of time,” said Michael Assante, NexDefense’s co-founder and chief security strategist.

Sophia proactively detects anomalies in automation or control system communications that may signify an attempt to intrude or discover systems, and alerts security teams who can take the appropriate actions.

Sophia is the result of collaboration between the United States Department of Energy, Battelle Energy Alliance and the cybersecurity experts of Idaho National Laboratory (INL).

NexDefense, which was founded in 2012, obtained exclusive rights to Sophia in 2013 and had close to 50 organizations beta test the product.