Your data is only as reliable as the network that carries it. That’s it. That’s the post.
Ok, so it’s not the only thing that ensures the data you’re collecting is accurate, reliable, and consistent, but all that work on the network endpoints is for naught if the network responsible for transporting it can’t be trusted. The data has to get from source to destination without compromise.
OT networks are modernizing at an accelerated pace. With the move from legacy MS/TP networks to BACnet/IP, as well as the need to collaborate with larger teams in the name of IT/OT convergence, it’s easy to focus on hardware devices at the risk of losing sight of the core need to keep the device data reliable.
Let’s talk about why data integrity in OT is so important, how a high-performing OT network helps to ensure reliability, and some additional tips on how to maintain a strict level of data integrity with solutions like OptigoVN.
Primer: What is data integrity?
Data integrity focuses on data accuracy, consistency, and reliability throughout its lifecycle. It ensures that the information you rely on for critical decision-making is complete, uncorrupted, and trustworthy. Without data integrity, decisions could be based on flawed, incomplete, or incorrect information, potentially leading to costly errors.
Why Is Data Integrity Crucial for OT Networks?
In the simplest terms, building automation relies on data that’s both timely and accurate from its network of devices in order to make the right decisions, and it’s up to the OT network to deliver that stream of data from the endpoint (sensors, IoT devices, etc.) back to the building management system (BMS).
If you’ve worked with building automation or controls software, you’ve probably seen what corrupted data from OT devices looks like: inconsistent values being reported, unknown device errors, slow and erroneous graphics, and long response times for read/write requests. It’s a long list. But what are some of the effects that bad data can have? Let’s break that down into a few important aspects.
Modern building automation systems networks need accurate data
Building automation systems (BAS) increasingly depend on real-time data for seamless operations. We recently previewed technologies that have the potential to make their way into OT network management—including edge computing, predictive analytics, and time-sensitive networking—and they all have one thing in common: they rely on a near-constant stream of real-time data from endpoints to function.
That up-to-the-second information helps ensure BAS processes run smoothly and efficiently. Compromised or delayed data can disrupt these systems, leading to operational downtime and inefficiencies. When OT networks experience data delays from traffic or corrupt data from duplicate devices, technicians lose trust in the system’s reliability. That lack of trust can lead to a shift back to manual interventions, which are slower and more prone to error, further eroding efficiency and data integrity.
Sensitive environments demand precision and accountability
BAS supports critical environments such as hospital rooms, laboratories, and data centers. These systems often have strict tolerances where even minor discrepancies in temperature, humidity, and containment can have severe consequences. Maintaining data accuracy ensures these environments remain safe, controlled, and compliant with required standards.
Beyond the financial concerns of, say, a data center experiencing a thermal shutdown, there’s also real human safety concerns to take into account. For example, control over temperature and humidity is vital to prevent the growth of bacteria and viruses in hospital rooms and operating theaters, ensuring patient safety and comfort. Negative-pressure isolation rooms, often used for patients with infectious diseases, depend on OT systems to maintain consistent air pressure differentials. Compromised or delayed fire detection data in a high-rise could prevent timely activation of fire suppression systems, putting lives and property at risk. Similarly, in industrial settings, delayed sensor data from machinery could fail to prevent an accident caused by overheating, excessive pressure, or misalignment.
Compliance with industry standards and regulations may also depend on meticulous data logging and reporting. For example, healthcare environments must adhere to ASHRAE standards for ventilation and air quality, while laboratories and data centers must meet ISO and TIA standards, respectively.
Ultimately, the ability of OT networks to ensure data accuracy safeguards not just the critical building systems, but also the health, safety, and compliance obligations of the environments within.
Energy efficiency needs environmental awareness
Modern energy management systems rely on accurate data from numerous sources to achieve granular control. High-quality data allows systems to fine-tune energy consumption, reducing waste and optimizing performance. For example, a smart building might use real-time temperature and occupancy data from dozens of in-room sensors alongside outdoor IoT sensors and weather data from the internet to adjust heating and cooling dynamically, ensuring both comfort and efficiency.
Compromised or delayed data may lead to incorrect conclusions and actions. For example, if an energy monitoring system reports outdated data during peak load times, facilities managers might miss opportunities to adjust usage patterns and avoid overcharges or penalties. In a campus-wide building management system, delayed data from lighting sensors could desynchronize lighting schedules across different buildings, leading to wasted energy (and angry students!).
Cybersecurity
Compromised data may not only be delayed but also altered to mislead operators or automated systems. Cyberattacks that introduce false data could cause systems to overreact or shut down unnecessarily. For instance, a malicious actor might send false data to a building’s security system, causing false alarms or disabling access controls, leaving the site vulnerable.
Accurate data strengthens your network’s defense against security vulnerabilities. Precise information helps identify anomalies early, enabling faster responses to potential breaches.
Maintaining system consistency
For a modern OT network that’s now part of a larger system, such as a campus-wide IT network, data consistency is critical where those systems interact. Accurate data ensures these systems remain synchronized, reducing conflicts and maintaining operational harmony.
Accurate and automated data collection minimizes the chances of errors introduced during manual processes. This reliability translates into smoother operations, better compliance, and fewer disruptions caused by incorrect entries.
How to Optimize Your OT Network For Data Integrity
Now that we understand how important it is that the data your network is delivering is accurate and uncorrupted, we need to understand how the network itself can be optimized to ensure it.
Our OT network experts created best practices to follow to help you ensure data integrity.
Use a streamlined network design
How it works: An optimized OT network is designed with minimal complexity and clear data pathways, reducing the likelihood of errors during transmission.
Example: Segmented networks limit the interaction between sensitive and non-sensitive systems, ensuring that critical data remains secure and untampered.
A well-designed OT network minimizes complexity by creating clear and straightforward data pathways. This approach reduces the risk of errors during data transmission and makes it easier to identify and resolve issues. For example, network segmentation through BBMDs and VLANs isolates sensitive systems from less critical ones, ensuring that critical data remains secure and untampered.
Deploy continuous monitoring
How it works: Optimized networks integrate advanced monitoring tools to identify anomalies, such as traffic congestion, configuration conflicts, and physical errors.
Example: OptigoVN uses real-time analytics to alert users when data flows deviate from established thresholds, allowing for quick intervention.
Continuous monitoring is another key feature of optimized OT networks. Advanced tools track real-time data flows and quickly identify anomalies, such as unauthorized changes or corrupted information. For instance, OptigoVN can send alerts in real time when data behavior deviates from expected thresholds, enabling users to address potential issues immediately.
Secure data transmissions
How it works: Encryption protocols and secure communication standards protect data from interception and tampering during transit.
Example: A hospital’s building management system encrypts HVAC and lighting data to ensure that instructions from control systems are less likely to be compromised.
Secure data transmission is fundamental to maintaining integrity. While many IT teams will ensure their security umbrellas are extended to the operational side, OT networks can use encryption protocols and secure communication standards, such as BACnet/SC, to protect data while it’s being transmitted.
Adopt proactive maintenance
How it works: a regular diagnostic and overall checkup routine can prevent data loss due to hardware failures, communications issues, and more.
Example: Running routine diagnostics from OptigoVN on BACnet packet captures can identify small issues before they become unscheduled downtime.
Proactive maintenance is a vital component of an optimized network that not only prevents data loss and corruption caused by hardware failures or outdated systems but aids in root-cause analysis. For example, inconsistent or garbled data as the result of a duplicate BBMD can be identified and corrected before it leads to BAS compromise, wasted energy, or downtime.
The Backbone of Data Integrity Lies in Your OT Network
Ensuring data integrity is not just about the devices or endpoints collecting information—it’s about the OT network itself. A high-performing network acts as the backbone, delivering accurate, consistent, and timely data that critical building systems depend on to operate safely and efficiently.
Without a reliable network, even the most sophisticated devices can’t provide the value they promise.
That’s where OptigoVN makes the difference. In today’s modernized, interconnected environments, where real-time decision-making is key, your OT network must be more than just functional—it must be at peak performance. OptigoVN helps to ensure that every piece of data you rely on is as trustworthy as the systems it supports.
Ready to see what OptigoVN can do for your network? Sign up for free and explore OptigoVN on your network today, or contact us for a personalized demo.
FAQ: Ensuring Data Integrity in OT Networks
1. What is data integrity in OT networks?
Data integrity refers to the accuracy, consistency, and reliability of data as it moves through an OT network. It ensures that the information used for automation, monitoring, and decision-making remains uncorrupted and trustworthy.
2. Why is data integrity important for building automation systems (BAS)?
Building automation relies on real-time data to control HVAC, lighting, security, and other systems. If data is delayed or corrupted, it can lead to inefficiencies, system failures, and even safety risks in environments like hospitals, labs, and data centers.
3. What are the risks of poor data integrity in OT networks?
Compromised data can cause:
- Delayed or incorrect system responses
- Security vulnerabilities and cyber risks
- Inefficient energy management and increased costs
- Compliance failures with industry regulations
- Loss of trust in automated systems, leading to more manual interventions
4. How does OT network design impact data integrity?
A well-structured OT network with clear data pathways, VLANs, and BBMD segmentation reduces the risk of errors, delays, and unauthorized access, ensuring reliable data transmission.
5. What role does continuous monitoring play in maintaining data integrity?
Continuous monitoring tools, like OptigoVN, help detect anomalies, such as duplicate devices or traffic congestion, in real time. This allows for proactive troubleshooting before issues impact network performance.
6. How can secure data transmission protect OT networks?
Using encryption protocols and secure communication standards (e.g., BACnet/SC) prevents data interception and tampering, safeguarding sensitive building automation functions.
7. What are best practices for optimizing OT networks for data integrity?
- Implement a streamlined network design with clear segmentation
- Use continuous monitoring for real-time anomaly detection
- Secure data transmissions with encryption and authentication
- Perform regular diagnostics and maintenance to prevent data loss
8. How does OptigoVN help improve data integrity?
OptigoVN provides advanced network diagnostics, real-time monitoring, and proactive alerts to ensure data remains accurate, reliable, and secure for critical OT functions.
9. How can I start improving my OT network’s data integrity?
Sign up for a free OptigoVN account or request a personalized demo to see how it can help enhance your OT network’s reliability and security.
*FAQs are created with the help of generative AI.
