Traditional methods of testing and maintaining BACnet OT networks are giving way to continuous monitoring. Running manual BACnet packet captures and diagnostics every few months was, to a point, an effective way to make sure everything on the OT network was in working order. However, it has also been the product of a break/fix maintenance model that relied on technicians being physically present on-site. These days though, the impact of IT and OT convergence has brought a new urgency to OT network monitoring.
Today, BACnet-based OT networks have to handle a lot…more. More traffic, more scale, more requests from IoT devices. It’s a level of performance that was never envisioned for OT networks—many with legacy devices still in service. That means an increased emphasis on monitoring and managing the network to keep it in top running condition.
Enter continuous and real-time monitoring solutions for OT networks. While it’s been accepted practice for years on IP-based networks, the idea that continuous, real-time monitoring solutions are necessary for BACnet-based networks still faces a lot of push-back.
Let’s look at some critical reasons why you should consider moving to a monitoring platform that can provide continuous monitoring for your BACnet systems, and we’ll explain how Optigo Visual Networks fits the bill.
IF YOU’RE GOING TO RUN MANUAL PACKET CAPTURES AND UPLOADS, DO IT RIGHT. HERE’S OUR GUIDE TO GETTING THE BEST PACKET CAPTURES FOR OPTIGOVN.
Real-Time Monitoring and Alerts are Table Stakes
It’s estimated that as of 2023, the average cost of network downtime has grown to about $9000/hour. It’s part of the reason IT professionals have come to expect lighting-fast issue identification and resolution for issues on the network. That “network” in many environments today—including hospitals, college campuses, and many other smart buildings—now includes an OT network that’s filled with BACnet devices.
With the OT world turning towards BACnet/IP, occasional diagnostic check-ups on BACnet devices simply won’t cut it. A modern OT network monitoring solution must be able to keep pace with IT expectations. And that means providing as close to real-time monitoring and alerting for service technicians as possible.
It’s a fundamental shift in practice for many OT teams from a break/fix perspective to one of proactive, preventive OT network health monitoring. But by moving to a continuous monitoring method, issues are identified the moment they occur, allowing technicians to resolve small issues before they escalate to network downtime.
How many issues will you solve today?
A Modern OT Network Needs Total Visibility
Another monitoring concept is the idea of deep network visibility—being able to see the whole network at any given time. Conducting occasional packet capture sessions only provides you with a tiny snapshot of your network at the time of capture. Anything that may have happened outside that 5-15 minute window won’t show up. Simply put, because BACnet devices can and do communicate at different times, if you’re not looking at 24 hours’ worth of data, you might be getting an incomplete picture of the problems in the network. Again, this can lead to missing hidden issues that escalate to major outages.
Continuous monitoring solves this by providing a full picture of your network across an entire day, week, and the full communication cycle of all your devices. If any processes are creating issues, you’ll find them.
Related: Root Cause Analysis
Root cause analysis (RCA) is the concept of digging into issues to find the central cause. To end a problem at its source, rather than treating the symptoms. To practice effective RCA, you need not only total visibility but also a way to compare changes over time. That’s more than a small packet capture will provide.
With continuous monitoring, you’ll build up that critical historical log that can help you identify the patterns caused by a deep-rooted issue, and fix it once and for all.
A Path to Maximizing Operational Efficiency
BACnet devices, and the OT network in general, are based on what we lovingly refer to as a “slow and low” design approach. The opposite of IT systems, OT networks are meant to handle smaller traffic loads, but do it in a low-power state, and for a much, much longer time (think decades) without much need for regular maintenance. However, increased demands on BACnet hardware from IP-based traffic, as well as the explosion of IoT devices, means increased strain on components—particularly legacy devices.
More frequent maintenance is required to prevent failure. This is one place where continuous monitoring can provide some of the best benefits to legacy BACnet systems, including:
- Predictive maintenance. By providing regular insights into the health of network devices, you’re reducing unexpected equipment failures and extending the lifespan of network components.
- Providing data for IT & OT resource optimization. Gathering regular trend data on network usage helps optimize the allocation of resources. This leads to more efficient operation and better management of bandwidth, power, and other critical resources.
- Planning capacity. A wealth of data can be analyzed to make informed decisions about network upgrades, scaling, and other strategic initiatives.
- Adaptability. Continuously monitored systems are more adaptable to changes in the network, such as the addition of new devices or changes in traffic patterns. This makes it easier to scale the network while maintaining visibility and control.
- Support for remote monitoring: In an increasingly connected world, continuous monitoring allows for remote monitoring and management of OT networks, which is particularly valuable for distributed or unmanned facilities.
Enhanced Security for OT Networks
OT networks are a security weak point for IT teams. Most BACnet devices have very little in the way of computing power and resiliency. As a result, BACnet-based OT networks are prime targets for malicious actors. It’s an easy pathway into the larger IT network—especially if your BACnet system lives outside your IT firewalls—with devices that are easy to brute force. And while virtually all organizations will have IT-based observability tools, most will not be capable of observing BACnet devices down to the MSTP level.
In short, OT networks need to seriously upgrade their security postures if they are going to be accessible remotely. Not only does that involve being brought under the larger umbrella of IT security, but deploying real-time monitoring solutions. Real-time monitoring of the OT network through continuous packet capture and upload helps immediately detect anomalies and threats by, for example, analyzing unusual traffic patterns. By running continuous monitoring, you are quickly pinpointing any security weak points, and uncovering indications that a breach may have taken place. That early detection enables faster response time and reduced risk of damage.
Continuous monitoring is also essential for keeping OT networks compliant with certain industry regulations. By enabling real-time tracking, it ensures that company networks consistently adhere to regulatory standards, allowing organizations to quickly identify and correct any deviations. This proactive approach reduces the risk of non-compliance.
Cost Savings
Finally, continuous monitoring of OT networks can also contribute to overall cost savings, particularly in terms of reducing downtime and maintenance expenses. The cost of conducting regular diagnostic health checks on the network, paired with continuous monitoring, pales in comparison to emergency repairs and recovery.
Unlike IT-based networks, there’s no failover to a backup network for an HVAC system that goes offline or an elevator bank rendered out of order. An out-of-service OT network can mean the closure of entire floors or buildings. Small fixes, identified early through continuous monitoring, are far less costly than emergency repairs that may be needed if a problem is left unresolved.
Early issue detection means that organizations can plan and perform maintenance activities during scheduled downtime, avoiding the higher costs associated with emergency repairs. By minimizing the need for last-minute fixes and reducing the frequency of major equipment failures, continuous monitoring not only makes for smoother operations but helps organizations manage their maintenance budgets more effectively.
Get Continuous Monitoring with OptigoVN and Traffic Capture Tools
Optigo Networks has created two options for continuous traffic capture and upload to OptigoVN: a free software version that can easily be installed and run from any BMS server running Windows, Linux Red Hat, or Ubuntu, and a dedicated hardware traffic capture tool that can be connected to any MSTP network via serial connection.
Both versions of the traffic capture tools allow you to easily capture BACnet/IP, Ethernet, and MS/TP traffic throughout your network. And getting started is easy.
Now you can grab an instant one-touch capture, or configure automated captures on any network or subnet. Upon completion, the resulting PCAP files are automatically uploaded to a monitoring node for analysis in OptigoVN.
OptigoVN’s suite of 28 plus diagnostic tools provides deeper OT network insights and pinpoints individual device issues faster and more accurately than any other solution. Any network changes are identified and notifications will alert you of any problems. Ready to experience continuous monitoring and real-time management of your OT networks? Contact us for a demo or create your free account and get started today!
FAQ: Six Reasons for Continuous Monitoring of OT Networks
1. Why is continuous monitoring important for OT networks?
Continuous monitoring ensures that operational technology (OT) networks remain healthy and secure by providing real-time visibility into network performance. This helps identify and address potential issues before they escalate into significant problems, reducing downtime and maintaining compliance.
2. How does continuous monitoring enhance network security?
Monitoring tools detect unusual traffic patterns or unauthorized access attempts, allowing for quick identification and response to potential security threats. This proactive approach minimizes the risk of breaches and safeguards critical infrastructure.
3. Can continuous monitoring support proactive maintenance?
Yes, by continuously analyzing network data, monitoring tools can highlight anomalies that may indicate equipment failures or inefficiencies. This allows teams to perform maintenance before a failure occurs, preventing costly disruptions.
4. How does continuous monitoring improve operational efficiency?
By offering real-time diagnostics and reporting, continuous monitoring helps reduce the time spent identifying and troubleshooting network issues, enabling teams to focus on core operations.
5. What role does monitoring play in compliance?
Many industries have strict regulatory requirements for OT networks. Continuous monitoring ensures that networks adhere to these standards by providing detailed records of performance and incidents.
6. Is continuous monitoring costly to implement?
While there may be initial costs, the long-term savings from reduced downtime, better maintenance, and improved security far outweigh the expenses. Solutions like OptigoVN offer scalable options to fit various budgets and needs.
